Radio station launches music awards

The first edition of the 89.7 Bay Music Awards has been launched, to be held on December 7 at the Eden Arena.

The event's aim is to acknowledge, promote and reward the hard work of local bands and singers.

"The talent has always been there, but we thought of exposing it a bit more," said 89.7 Bay station manager Terry Farrugia at the launch of the event at the InterContinental, St Julians, on Wednesday.

He said the radio station had always worked hard to promote the local music industry and it seemed to be succeeding in its attempt as there was high demand for local music on the airwaves.

Kevin Decesare, a director of the Eden Leisure Group, said the company was taking the event seriously as local artistes needed help. In fact, what was originally intended to be a small event was turning into a big one.

There are five awards in all - Best Newcomer Award, Best Solo Artist Award, Best Band Award, Best Single Award and a special award, the 89.7 Bay Icon Award. The latter will go to Winter Moods in recognition of being the most played local band of all time on the radio station and the band's overall contribution to the local music industry.

There are four nominees in each of the other four categories, who were selected by a panel of 89.7 Bay deejays. These are:

¤ Best newcomer - Dripht, Indigo, 8 Ugly and Niki Gravino.

¤ Best solo artist - Ira Losco, Indigo, Ivan Filletti, and Toby.

¤ Best band - Leftplay, Scar, IQ, Bitterside.

¤ Best single - Cold Heart (Ivan Filletti), Who Am I (Ira Losco), Breathe (Leftplay) and Mark Barnsley (Dripht). Listeners will determine the winners by voting for their favourite artistes via SMS. They also stand the chance of winning a number of prizes. Voting opened on Wednesday afternoon and ends on December 2.

The event itself, sponsored by Vodafone, will include performances by all the nominees and special sets by some of 89.7 Bay's own deejays. It will finish off with a big party which will see Malta's most popular deejays, DJ Ruby and J Joy, in a turntable duel.

For more information visit www.bay.com.mt