At the colorful gala in the Volkstheater, moderated by Nina Hochrainer and Philipp Hansa, prizes were awarded in a total of 14 categories. The broad spectrum of the local young music scene became clear: everything from rap to rock was there. There were no big individual winners, but three acts were able to celebrate two awards each: RAF Camora, Bibiza and the Viennese rock band Wanda. Performances by Avec, Chris Steger and Cari Cari rounded off the musical evening.
RAF Camora secured the prestigious “Album of the Year” award with “XV”. The rapper, who regularly sets records on Spotify, was also able to assert himself in the “Hip-Hop/Urban” category. The rapper was unable to attend the gala due to health problems and was represented by his best friend, the rapper Pireli.
Pireli accepted the award from an international guest, Evil Jared Hasselhoff from the Bloodhound Gang. “We currently have two top players who are injured, David Alaba and RAF Camora,” said Pireli. “David, we need you at this European Championship!” And further: “I have known RAF for 25 years, he is my brother. Setbacks like this have only made him stronger. I’m sure he’ll be back this time too.” RAF Camora then got in touch – via voice message – and let it be known that “it wasn’t a given” to “win two Amadeus Awards in the off-time”. His thanks went primarily to the fans.
Category “Alternative”
My Ugly Clementine received the award in the “Alternative” category
The best live act is Wanda
Wanda once again delivered the best song: The rock band, whose new album “Ende nie” will be released at the beginning of June, impressed the jury and audience with “Nobody Else” and was also chosen “Live Act of the Year”. “We are deeply honored, a little speechless, that means something to us,” said singer Marco Wanda via video. The band is currently on tour.
And the rapper Bibiza, who went into the evening with five chances of winning, secured the prizes for “Songwriter of the Year” (for “An Ode to Vienna”) and for “Best Sound” (for his album “Wiener Schickeria”). The 26-year-old got the laughs of the show with his “thank you”. He wanted to fulfill a dream, he said, pulled out a pink hip flask, filled his award with schnapps and took a long sip from it. Beforehand, he encouraged his colleagues. “Don’t let it spoil your fun while making music.” And with a wink: “If you need lyrics, come to me.”
FM4
Bipolar Feminine win FM4 Award
The band My Ugly Clementine, who were also nominated several times, won the “Alternative” category, while the Leftovers had the hardest sounds (“Hard & Heavy”). The Salzburg DJ Toby Romeo was able to prevail among the nominees for “Electronic/Dance”, and the team Molden, Seiler & the women’s orchestra were successful in the “Jazz/World/Blues” category. Strictly speaking, Christopher Seiler is also one of the double winners, as he is also part of the trio Aut of Orda, which received the “Pop/Rock” award.
Meanwhile, there was no way around Melissa Naschenweng, who was able to celebrate the “Schlager/Folk Music” trophy for the fifth time in a row. “We are together, nothing can separate us,” she said with a broad smile towards the trophy. The singer thanked the “mountain farming family out there” and announced a new song and a tour. “The next year and a half will be legendary,” she promised her fans.
From Goisern without musical boundaries
Two awards were already known in advance: The Upper Austrian rock band Bipolar Feminin, who released their acclaimed debut album “A Fragile System” almost a year ago, won the FM4 Award.
APA/Florian Wieser Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen presented von Goisern with the Lifetime Achievement Award
A local legend was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, as Hubert von Goisern has been an integral part of the Austrian music scene for more than 30 years and has left his mark far beyond the country’s borders with his songs that oscillate between world music, rock and traditional elements. On Friday, von Goisern accepted the award from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen to thunderous applause.
“Hubert von Goisern musically linked his connection to his homeland with the foreign,” said Van der Bellen in tribute to the artist. All the concerts he attended “were a real enrichment”. The Federal President expressed the hope “that the expression is not entirely correct, but that it is an award for a provisional life’s work”.
“What an honor,” emphasized von Goisern, who was really looking forward to the evening. “I would like to say that music, the realm of music, the ocean of music, is a country where no visa is needed, there are no borders, there are no blocked refugee routes, everyone can come. There are no regulations or restrictions.” The artist sent a thank you to Vienna: “I have always felt comfortable here and I still do.”
The winners at a glance
Song of the Year: “Nobody else’s” by Wanda
Album of the Year: “XV” from RAF Camora
Live act of the year: Wanda
Songwriter of the Year: “An Ode to Vienna” by Bibiza
FM4-Award: Bipolar Feminine
Pop/Rock: Out of Order
Alternative: My Ugly Clementine
Jazz/World/Blues: Molden, Seiler & the women’s orchestra
Pop/folk music: Melissa Naschenweng
Hip-Hop/Urban: RAF Camora
Hard & Heavy: Leftovers
Electronic/Dance: Toby Romeo
Recording studio award Best Sound: “Vienna Chic” by Bibiza
Lifetime achievement award: Hubert von Goisern