Before the MTV Awards kicked off i was stationed backstage in the ‘Transit Lounge’ where guests mingled before the show.

Brandon Flowers and Craig Nicholls were having a friendly chat after walking the red carpet.

Mark Hoppus from Blink 182.

Vanilla Ice and Bra Boy Koby Abberton.

The man in the hat Molly Meldrum.

The Killers before strolling along the red carpet. It was like herding cats trying to get them all together for a photo.

Rhys Darby from Flight of the Conchords looking rather Austin Powers.

That’s it for MTV Awards pics, see them all in the MTV Australia Awards photo gallery.

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The Scare perform at The Australian Music Prize Ceremony

Although i was live twittering the Australian Music Prize (AMP) ceremony last Friday i’ve been slack posting the pictures.

Modelled on the British Mercury Prize, the $30000 AMP is given to the album deemed the best released in 2008 by a panel of judges.

Eddie Current Suppression Ring were the lucky winners this year for their album Primary Colours.

They’re a popular choice: critical darlings who’ve yet to really achieve mainstream success who could do with a cash boost.

Not that there’s any ill will towards The Presets but many were relieved they didn’t win since the’ve won almost everything else there is to win already and don’t need the extra cash.

The runner up Red Bull Prize of $15000 "in recognition of outstanding potential" was given to Jack Ladder.

For my money i reckon the best Australian albums were Cut Copy‘s In Ghost Colours or The Drones Havilah.

After the formalities were over The Scare played a short set. The most entertaining part of the day. I’ll bet they’re up for the 2009 AMP for oozevoodoo.

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Last night at the Sydney Opera House the inaugural SMAC awards were dished out.

Presented by Time Out Sydney and FBi Radio, the SMACs recognise the best of Sydney’s Music, Art and Culture.

Many of Sydney’s music and arts community were in attendance, saluting their peers, wearing nice frocks, admiring the view and getting pissed on the free booze.

Toby Schmitz (aka The Schmitz) with Ella Scott Lynch. Toby was pipped for the ‘Best Actor/Performer’ award by his acting/writing buddy/nemesis Brendan Cowell.

The adorabubble Katherine and Kate from Greedy Hen. Winners of ‘Best Arts Newcomer’.

The KillaQueenz performed and were nominated for ‘Best Music Performance’.

The tallest troubador in town, Jack Ladder played a tune before scooting off to play his own show at Oxford Art Factory.

The bizarre and hilarious Pig Island were nominated for ‘Best Artist/Performer’ and performed a Billy Piper tune.

What could an award ceremony be this year without The Presets?

Fresh from similar wins at the J Awards and the ARIAs, they won ‘Record of the Year’ for Apocalypso. Despite all the fame, fortune and acclaim, they were graciously humble and obviously appreciative of the support FBi has always given them.

Spod enthralled the crowd with a performance with the Orsumettes and was also nominated for ‘Best Music Performance’.

Irishman Fergus Linehan took out the ‘SMAC of the Year’ award in recognition of his work as Director of Sydney Festival for the past three years.

After the awards were given out we all got sozzled on the free wine and Lovells.

The Winners

• SMAC Of The Year – Fergus Linehan, Sydney Festival
• Remix the City – Biennale at Cockatoo Island
• SMAC in Your Face – Raise The Bar
• Best Music Event – Sydney Festival Becks Bar/Spiegeltent
• Best Music Performance – Dappled Cities
• Record of the Year - The Presets, Apocalypso
• Best Music Newcomer – Cloud Control
• Best Arts Event - Underbelly
• Best Visual Artist – Kill Pixie
• Best Actor / Performer – Brendan Cowell
• Best Arts Newcomer – Greedy Hen

More photos at Time Out Sydney or Facebook.

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On Monday evening i enjoyed the company of some amazing drag queens frocked up for the 2008 DIVA Awards at Paddington Town Hall.

It was oddly like catching up with old friends as i realised how many drag queens i’ve met in the past year shooting for Time Out.

Courtney Act who won the "Belle of the Ball" award. Last time i shot Courtney she was astride a life size plastic horse at Will and Tobys.

Faggot Rooster, who last time we met was showing me his Christina Aguilera hair strand.

A happy wedding couple.

i.Kandi, a ‘drag king’ who i’d previously photographed in her bath.

Kitty Glitter. A drag DJ i photographed at the gym.

Cleopatra Coupe – who does a remarkable job of mimicking everyone’s favourite plastic surgery disaster, Jocelyn Wildenstein.

Darlinghurst/Kings Cross legend Carmen.

Joyce Mange who i previously photographed causing a ruckus at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Julia Sommers was one of the poster-girls for the DIVA awards. She made a splash in 1986 as the first (and possibly last?) transgender woman to have a photo spread in Penthouse magazine.

See lots more pictures in a photo gallery linked off Time Out Sydney’s DIVA awards coverage.

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I photographed The Jack Awards at Luna Park on Tuesday night.

It’s the annual Jack Daniel’s sponsored music industry piss up, with some awards given out and artist performances in between. Always lots of fun.

You can see my shots in the Jack Awards 2007 photo gallery.

The winners were:

• Best Live Band: Wolfmother
• Best Male Performer: Daniel Johns (Silverchair)
• Best Female Performer: Katy Steele (Little Birdy)
• Best International Touring Act: Foo Fighters
• Best Live Newcomer: Red Riders
• Best Lead Guitar: Chris Cheney (The Living End)
• The Ian Rilen Best Bass Guitarist: Andy Kent (You Am I)
• Best Drummer: Ben Gillies (Silverchair)
• Best Dressed: Katy Steele (Little Birdy)
• Best Tour Art: James Bellisini (The Big Day Out 2006)
• Best NSW Live Venue: The Gaelic Club (NSW)
• Gentleman Jack for services to Australian live music: Michael Gudinski

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Last night i attended the Jack Awards nominations at the Gaelic Club. I was taking photos as per usual.

The music industry crowd seemed to enjoy the free booze and networking but were rather bemused by Airbourne’s big pub rock show. I love their over the top show, fireworks and all, but most of the crowd stayed up the back chatting.

There doesn’t appear to be a ‘Best Live Music Photographer’ category this year as there has been in previous years. It’s a shame since i’m not aware of any other award in Australia that recognises that pursuit close to my heart. I guess it was just getting predictable with Tony Mott winning it every year.

The full list of nominees is after the jump.

You can vote for your choices on The Jack Awards website.

UPDATE

I’ve just uploaded a gallery of photos from the night. You can also see them on the Jack Awards website.

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Tony Mott peers out from behind his Best Rock Photographer award.

Fellas from Jet, Eskimo Joe and The Living End.

Darren from Gerling and Ms Flowerpot. You may recognise her from the Gerling audience the other week or dancing on the bar at another Gerling show.

The cutest couple in rock, Justin from End of Fashion and Katy from Little Birdy.

PS. I put up some of my photos from Friday night. First up was Monica’s farewell shindig at Moulin Rouge then onto Purple Sneakers, a new regular Friday night indie rock party type thing.

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