Alex Lahey, Baker Boy, PNAU and Jen Cloher among 2018 AIR Awards winners

The 2018 AIR Awards took place in Adelaide overnight, with Australian industry gathering at the historic Queen’s Theatre in the city to celebrate independent music, labels and creatives who have accomplished massive things over the last year.

Performances stunned, with the likes of Caiti BakerBad//DreemsStella DonnellyBaker Boy and Alex The Astronaut doling out impressive numbers on stage, while Dylan Lewis returned to host for another year.

Major winners on the night included Baker Boy, who was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Jen Cloher as Best Independent Artist and Milk! Records, who were named Best Independent Label.

“It was great to celebrate the success of the Australian Independent music sector at the 2018 AIR Awards in Adelaide last night.” AIR General Manager, Maria Amato, states. “We are grateful to the South Australian Government for their continued support and to all our valued partners who helped us make it all happen.”

Check out the full list of winners below!

2018 AIR AWARDS – WINNERS

BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL
Milk! Records

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (PRESENTED BY PPCA)
Baker Boy

BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST
Jen Cloher

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE
Alex Lahey – “Every Day’s the Weekend”

BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM or EP
Methyl Ethel (Everything is Forgotten)
and The Jungle Giants (Quiet Ferocity)

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK, HEAVY OR PUNK ALBUM
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE
PNAU – “Go Bang”

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM
PNAU – Changa

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM
BIRDZ – Train of Thought

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM 
All Our Exes Live in Texas – When We Fall

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM
Fanny Lumsden – Real Class Act 

BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM
James Morrison/BBC Concert Orchestra – The Great American Songbook 

BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM
Australian Chamber Orchestra/Richard Tognetti – Jonny Greenwood

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Skinnyfish Music

The AIR Awards took place at the Queens Theatre in Adelaide on Thursday 26th July 2018. Photo by John Goodridge. Check out the full gallery HERE.