The 2018 APRA Music Awards were held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, celebrating the talented songwriters and music publishers that have achieved outstanding success in the past year. An exciting mix of established pros including Paul Kelly and Birds of Tokyo were honoured as was a new wave of songwriters such as Ben Abraham, Amy Shark, Morgan Evans and Sarah Aarons.
From the UNIFIED stable, Amy Shark’s monster hit Adore took out Pop Work of the Year. Amy caps off a huge year that has seen her perform on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Telling triple j recently that she has a wealth of new material written, Amy has also contributed a song titled Sink In to the soundtrack of the feature film Love, Simon.
Illy took out Urban Work of the Year for Catch 22 (performed by Illy feat. Anne-Marie). He won the award alongside Grant Michaels, Suzanne Shin and M-Phazes
2018 APRA Music Awards Winners
Song of the Year
Title: Firewood and Candles
Performer: Paul Kelly
Writers: Paul Kelly* / Billy Miller
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing*
Songwriter of the Year
Writer: A.B.Original(Briggs and Trials)
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Writer: Sarah Aarons
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Overseas Recognition Award
Ben Abraham (and) Kylie Sackley
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
Midnight Oil
Most Played Australian Work
Title: Stranger
Performer: Peking Duk feat. Elliphant
Writer: Adam Hyde / Reuben Styles / Kaelyn Behr (Styalz)*/ Elliphant^ / Daniel Goudie+ / Ashley Milton+
Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Music Publishing* / Kobalt Music Publishing obo Publishing Company Ten AB and Prescription Songs^ / BMG
Country Work of the Year
Title: Kiss Somebody
Performer: Morgan Evans
Writers: Morgan Evans / Chris De Stefano*/ Josh Osborne^
Publishers: Warner/Chappell Music Publishing obo SongsByMe / Sony/ATV Music Publishing obo CDs Words & Music* / Kobalt Music Publishing obo Smackville Music and Anderson Fork In The Road Music^
Blues & Roots Work of the Year
Title: Best Part of Me
Performer: Busby Marou
Writers: Thomas Busby / Jeremy Marou / Jon Hume
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Dance Work of the Year
Title: Stranger
Performer: Peking Duk feat. Elliphant
Writer: Adam Hyde / Reuben Styles / Kaelyn Behr (Styalz)*/ Elliphant^ / Daniel Goudie+ / Ashley Milton+
Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Music Publishing* / Kobalt Music Publishing obo Publishing Company Ten AB and Prescription Songs^ / BMG+
Rock Work of the Year
Title: Brace
Performer: Birds of Tokyo
Writers: Ian Berney / Ian Kenny / Glenn Sarangapany / Adam Spark / Adam Weston
Publisher: Mushroom Music
Pop Work of the Year
Title: Adore
Performer: Amy Shark
Writers: Amy Shark / M-Phazes*
Publishers: Mushroom Music obo UNIFIED Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing*
Urban Work of the Year
Title: Catch 22
Performer: Illy feat. Anne-Marie
Writers: Illy / M-Phazes*/ Grant Michaels^ / Suzanne Shinn^
Publishers: Mushroom Music obo UNIFIED Music Publishing / Universal Music Publishing* / Native Tongue Music Publishing obo SONGS Music Publishing^
International Work of the Year
Title: Shape of You
Performer: Ed Sheeran
Writers: Ed Sheeran / Kevin Briggs* / Kandi Burruss^ / Tameka Cottle+ / Steven McCutcheon~ / John McDaid>
Publishers: Sony/ATV Music Publishing / BMG and Warner/Chappell Music obo She K’em Down and Pepper Drive Music* / Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music obo Kandacy Music and Tony Mercedes Music^ / Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music obo Tiny Tam Music and Tony Mercedes Music+ / Universal Music Publishing obo Rokstone Music~ / Kobalt Music Publishing obo Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol>
Licensee of the Year
Settlers Tavern (Rob and Karen Gough)
Photo credit: Tony Mott Photography and Maria Louise Boyadgis