Last night saw a modest turnout of music lovers at Dunstone Grove (beside 3D Radio) in support of the annual SAMI / AWESAM awards. Representing and acknowledging the talent and dedication of musicians, producers, and local industry professionals, this year’s awards expanded to include a greater number of dance-music related awards. Outside of the dance arena, the attractive young girl rockers Blow Up Betty swept away the field, winning four awards including the SAFM Award for Best Pop Act and the WHATADISH Award for Best Alternative Rock Act.

Taking out the coveted AWESAM Award for Most Popular Dance Act were the ever-comical Casio Brothers. Fabio was there with bling a-blazing, but when asked about it, was humble about the award. In his fine Swenglish he explained to ITM that he perhaps felt the award should have gone to longer standing artists, like the Beat Smugglers or the Levitators. Nevertheless, the award will prove quite the conversation piece back at Casio manor, and I’m sure the Cassettes are whooping like cheerleaders and bending every which-way right now. The next stop will have to be a wild card entry into Eurovision… let’s see those passports, fellas!

The Fraud Millionaires were there on this sunny afternoon too, and were rewarded for the effort. Adelaide’s live exponents of dancehall, reggae and d’n’b fusion took out the AWESAM Award for Best World Music Act, and had the esky ready to fuel the celebrations. Reggae made the grade this year again with Kineman Karma earning the WILTO YERLO Award for Best Indigenous Act. PJ Murton, the Hilltop Hoods’ manager was acknowledged for his efforts with the AWESAM Award for Artist Manager, with a beautifully concise acceptance speech: ‘Support local music.’

Long time champion of the Adelaide dance scene, DJ Josh couldn’t make the ceremony to receive her AWESAM Award for DJ, although Munchkin were well prepared for theirs with friends and picnic accessories. Set to tour internationally soon, Munchkin took out the AWESAM Award for Best Electronica Act, and were over the moon.

The industry award categories were pleasingly comprehensive, with 3D radio acknowledged for their media support, and Matt Hills winning two titles for his live engineering and studio production. Industry Studios and Mixmasters shared the DISK EDITS Award for Recording Studio, consolidating their foothold in the scene.

Brillig performed a live set of their dark electronic pop music on the day, and Poetikool Justice fired up their party-band live hip hop as the sun went down. Perhaps the biggest surprise on the day, this young crew took out the AWESAM Award for Best Hip Hop Act despite running against the seminal talents of the Hilltop Hoods. Costumed acts were well represented on the day too with the Nervous Gerbal lads attending in their colours, and local comic rockers the Dairy Brothers bringing their enigmatic Cow mascot along for moral support. Sadly, they were beaten to the cheese this year for the Best Australiana Act title by folksters, The Yearlings.

Adding to the smell of success in the air were the alluring fragrances the Kransky BBQ and coffee stand in the shady glade. The convivial chatter of music lovers and clinking of glasses set the scene beautifully for this casual ceremony. Next year, the AWESAM committee are planning for an indoors venue and a few more financial sponsors to help raise the profile of event, and give the stars of our local scene a well-deserved spotlight.