Music Artist Recognition Choice Awards
"Another year over and a new one just begun"
The Music Artist Recognition Choice Awards (MARC Awards for short) 2009 winners have been
announced :
Best Album
The first time I heard Rest Now, Weary Head! You Will Get Well Soon by Get Well Soon I had to add it to my iPod. The album is a beautiful mix of some incredible tunes and an unexpected but great cover version and quite simply should not be missed.
Best Single
By far the best new song of the year, it would have been criminal if If This Hat Is Missing I Have Gone Hunting by Get Well Soon had not been released as a single. It is the most played song on my iPod too.
Best Solo Artist
Following the release of his 8th studio album, Moby decided to play some gigs in unusual places. He played a DJ set in a Glasgow record shop, then went on to perform an amazing accoustic set in a cafe in Glasgow. Not only did he perform a range of unusual covers and have a joke with the crowd, but I held the toilet door open for him. Good album too.
Best Group
Best Album and Best Single almost guarentees the Best Group award, throw in the brilliant EP Songs Against The Glaciation and Get Well Soon have this one sewn up, and deservedly so. If only they hadn't been playing a gig in Glasgow the same day as a Celtic game.
Best Live Act
This year saw three fantastic gigs in the space of a few weeks of each other. Lou Reed in Edinburgh, Radiohead in Glasgow Green, and Moby in Mono (where he did covers of Lou Reed and Radiohead). This wasn't even a close competition though. Lou Reed is Lou Reed, and he was immense with his return tour of his 1973 album Berlin.
Best Newcomer
Best Album, Best Single, Best Group, and they are a newcomer. Get Well Soon couldn't have had a better first year if they'd tried. Konstantin Gropper (lead singer) is definetly one to look out for.
Special Mention
In June this year Radiohead played in Glasgow Green, and tried to make it as green a gig as possible, being completely powered by batteries, and fans were encouraged to take public transport to the gig. After making fun of the stage for looking like something from Gladiators (which eventually turned out to be a very good light show), Radiohead deserve alot of credit for their green efforts, but mainly their great gig, despite the weather.
Outstanding Contribution
2008 saw some interesting projects from all former members of Blur, and the year was nicely rounded off with them announcing a reunion in 2009. Damon Albarn was involved in Monkey : Journey To The West with his Gorillaz colleagues, Graham Coxon recorded a new album, Alex James was farming and reality TV show classical music conducting and Dave Rowntree still exists. The reunion should be very promising.
