Chugg, Kelly and tequila big winners at Rolling Stone Awards

26 January 2011

by Jason Treuen

It wasn't exactly a ceremonious awards ceremony, but a star-studded guest list and free tequila more than made up for it at the second annual Rolling Stone Awards last night.

Taking place in an industrial estate in Sydney’s Alexandria, Sydney, the Patron-sponsored awards felt like a huge booze-fuelled warehouse party, with some awards thrown in for good measure.

Visiting Big Day Out acts Lupe Fiasco, Plan B and Primal Scream rubbed shoulders with a host of Aussie artists including Pnau, Art vs Science, Short Stack, The Jezabels, Gypsy & The Cat and many more.

After an hour delay, Rolling Stone Awards’ Editor in Chief Matt Coyte finally took to the stage in the extremely humid main room to announce the awards in just under twenty five minutes.

As he struggled to talk over the boozed-up crowd, iconic promoter Michael Chugg grabbed the mic off him to give them a customary mouthful, shouting “Fucking assholes, listen up! They’re putting on some free piss, it’s a bit weak granted, but shut up!”

Upon later receiving The Immortal ‘lifetime achievement’ award, he gave the crowd another hilarious spray.“I've been taking photos of all you pricks who won't be invited next year... shut up you assholes! Who buys Rolling Stone?” he asked. “It's a great publication. We should support it. Shut the fuck up!”

Tame Impala took out the Album of the Year award for their debut Innerspeaker while Sydney folkies Angus and Julia Stone won Artist of the Year, although sadly neither were there.

The Best Male award went to Animal Kingdom’s writer / director David Michod, who remarked “I've been to some weird awards but this is the weirdest.”

Best Female went to Clare Bowditch, who told the crowd “Thank you because I like you and you’re good looking.”

Hot newcomers Boy & Bear graciously accepted the the Artist To Watch award, Candian band Arcade Fire won The International award and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was awarded the Mover & Shaker trophy. Meanwhile, music legend Leonard Cohen won Best Live Act.

Last but definitely not least, a very casual looking Paul Kelly accepted the night’s highest accolade, The Rolling Stone Award, and thanked his management One Louder, new label Universal, publishers and nephew/perfomer Dan Kelly.

Then the awards were done and it was back to the party, ensuring a late night for many and some heavy headaches in the morning.

Red carpet photos coming soon.