Indy Music Awards 2008 (live review / feature)
Only in its second year the principal behind the Indy awards is a great one; celebrating up and coming artists, bands, promoters, venues and festivals. We hear constantly about the Arctic Monkeys, Lilly Allen and Glastonbury but what about those bubbling away underground? The ones who will soon be on the cover of NME and Q magazine? The Indy Awards recognises these rising stars and let’s everyone get suitably drunk whilst doing so.
I admit I had high hopes, hopes which I knew probably weren’t going to reach fruition when I arrived at Kentish Town Forum and the ‘VIP’ queue was longer than that of the general admission queue… Hmm… Everyone wants to be considered a VIP these days and in the ugly scenester world of Indie everyone considers themselves to be just this. Anyway, after queueing for about 30 minutes just to get in the doors I decided to put it behind me and enjoy the evening.
The Indy Awards 2008 was a shambolic, but cheerful affair, which kicked off with a rather downbeat performance from Starsailor front man James Walsh before moving on to the award announcements.
Best Female Solo Act went to US born songstress, Dawn Kinnard who seemed to have disappeared, but after a rather awkward and embarrassingly long time finally appeared on stage to collect her award.
Walking away with best Male Solo Act was a highly excited and delighted Vince Freeman; a stunning acoustic folk/rock/pop singer from Cheltenham, who had managed to bring along a large gathering of fans who whooped and cheered for the duration of his acceptance speech.
Triumphant in the best Electronica Act category were You Love Her Coz She’s Dead, who ran to the stage suitably attired in trademark electro Nathan Barley-esque outfits, and screamed their acceptance speech into the microphone. I would comment on what they said but I have no idea; the dogs down the road may have picked up on the frequency?!
Holloway Road’s Indie pub/venue, Nambucca was the next winner of the evening, picking up the award for PRS Pub of the Year. A deserving winner!
Awards were also handed out to:
Three Vicars for Best Punk/SKA Act.
Nadege for Fan of the Year.
Litmus for Best Heavy Rock Act.
Molloy for Best New Wave/Progressive Act.
Miss Pink Shoes for Best Pop Act.
THE IRS for Best Urban Act (Although the band weren’t too sure about being labeled ‘urban’).
The Halo Bar for PRS Bar of the Year.
Louise Golbey for Best Soul/Funk/Jazz Solo Act.
Feldspar for Best Folk/Country/Blues act.
93 Feet East for PRS Club of the Year.
TRUCK Festival for Festival of the Year.
FeedMe Music for Promoter of the Year - a winner I was strongly against due to the fact they are a ‘Pay to Play’ promoter who insist that bands bring along a certain number of people to the gig or they won’t be booked again. In my view that’s not the definition of a promoter, but the judges obviously disagree.
The Brent Flood for The Music Uncharted Best Indie Act.
For me, two of the most deserved winners of the evening were two of the last to be announced. First up was the effortlessly cool, PJ Harvey-esque, London-based duo of Little Fish who were awarded the Guitar Hero Best Rock Act and finally the Gibson Guitar Best Alternative Act went to The Penny Black Remedy.
Completing the award-giving ceremony was the Inspiration Award which went to The Buzzcocks.
The show also saw live performances that ranged from the beautiful & soulful acoustic sounds of Dawn Kinnard, to the wonderful melodic punk rock tones of Little Fish and saw the show close with a headline set provided by legendary punksters, The Buzzcocks.
Review by Jade Dali
Bookmark and share this page with:I admit I had high hopes, hopes which I knew probably weren’t going to reach fruition when I arrived at Kentish Town Forum and the ‘VIP’ queue was longer than that of the general admission queue… Hmm… Everyone wants to be considered a VIP these days and in the ugly scenester world of Indie everyone considers themselves to be just this. Anyway, after queueing for about 30 minutes just to get in the doors I decided to put it behind me and enjoy the evening.
The Indy Awards 2008 was a shambolic, but cheerful affair, which kicked off with a rather downbeat performance from Starsailor front man James Walsh before moving on to the award announcements.
Best Female Solo Act went to US born songstress, Dawn Kinnard who seemed to have disappeared, but after a rather awkward and embarrassingly long time finally appeared on stage to collect her award.
Walking away with best Male Solo Act was a highly excited and delighted Vince Freeman; a stunning acoustic folk/rock/pop singer from Cheltenham, who had managed to bring along a large gathering of fans who whooped and cheered for the duration of his acceptance speech.
Triumphant in the best Electronica Act category were You Love Her Coz She’s Dead, who ran to the stage suitably attired in trademark electro Nathan Barley-esque outfits, and screamed their acceptance speech into the microphone. I would comment on what they said but I have no idea; the dogs down the road may have picked up on the frequency?!
Holloway Road’s Indie pub/venue, Nambucca was the next winner of the evening, picking up the award for PRS Pub of the Year. A deserving winner!
Awards were also handed out to:
Three Vicars for Best Punk/SKA Act.
Nadege for Fan of the Year.
Litmus for Best Heavy Rock Act.
Molloy for Best New Wave/Progressive Act.
Miss Pink Shoes for Best Pop Act.
THE IRS for Best Urban Act (Although the band weren’t too sure about being labeled ‘urban’).
The Halo Bar for PRS Bar of the Year.
Louise Golbey for Best Soul/Funk/Jazz Solo Act.
Feldspar for Best Folk/Country/Blues act.
93 Feet East for PRS Club of the Year.
TRUCK Festival for Festival of the Year.
FeedMe Music for Promoter of the Year - a winner I was strongly against due to the fact they are a ‘Pay to Play’ promoter who insist that bands bring along a certain number of people to the gig or they won’t be booked again. In my view that’s not the definition of a promoter, but the judges obviously disagree.
The Brent Flood for The Music Uncharted Best Indie Act.
For me, two of the most deserved winners of the evening were two of the last to be announced. First up was the effortlessly cool, PJ Harvey-esque, London-based duo of Little Fish who were awarded the Guitar Hero Best Rock Act and finally the Gibson Guitar Best Alternative Act went to The Penny Black Remedy.
Completing the award-giving ceremony was the Inspiration Award which went to The Buzzcocks.
The show also saw live performances that ranged from the beautiful & soulful acoustic sounds of Dawn Kinnard, to the wonderful melodic punk rock tones of Little Fish and saw the show close with a headline set provided by legendary punksters, The Buzzcocks.
Review by Jade Dali
