EMA®s 2010

Saturday was a big night for our South Central music scene as Gloucester’s Guild Hall hosted the 2010 Exposure Music Awards after a last minute venue change.

Twenty awards and 15 live performances made for a flair fuelled evening as the EMA®s kicked off its third year running. Two Gloucestershire bands walked away with awards and gave eager performances. Respected music advocates wholeheartedly presented the rewards, including Stefan Edwards of Kiss My Face Music and Jo Heatley of Cheltenham Folk Festival. Joe Schiavon of Gloucester Guild Hall handed over the best indie award to The Divine Secret, and 2000 Trees Festival’s Andy Rea presented the second Glos victory to Nuk Chorris, who walked away with best punk song.

The Wired season saw Birmingham’s The Locarnos triumph, beating Bristol performers The Naturals who put on a stunning set, and one of Cheltenham’s house bands The Young Vinyls. George Moorey, the producer of Wired said; “All of the bands from the Wired category have played one of our showcases, they are all lovely guys and they all make wicked music.”

Other presenters were Nick Ford of Madrigal Music and Artist Management, Joe Wilson of Sneaker Pimps, Trash Money and University of Gloucestershire, Jarrod Robinson CEO of Tour Dates and Lisa, Jai and Laura of Mardy Fish Promotions.

Joe Green, singer for The Divine Secret said; “It’s interesting winning two very different prizes, last year was best alternative and this year was best indie. It’s quite flattering to look at it as if we can appeal to broader audiences.” Band mate Ben Newham added; “What Dean and Martin are doing is amazing, especially to do it in the South West. It gives other people a chance to stand in the spot light for a change.”

Last year’s Welsh winners V0iD opened the show, and went on to win two awards including best out of area act, and best rock song, stating; “EMA® are the only people who would let us have a flop and give us the chance to do it again and be better, so we are chuffed to bits!” Southampton locals The Rebs were also double winners of best pop, and best overall song. Bristol picked up a few awards when Goodness won best live act after playing a more than worthy set, and Alonestar secured best male act and best urban song.

Other live highlights included Londoner Sam Sallon who deservingly went on to win the best folk song, Maker who performed after winning best blues / jazz / soul song, and Alonestar who closed the show. The London Underground picked up best dance song, and was pleased they travelled “300 miles for something!” Far Outlaw, another London winner bagged best alternative song. Overseas conquests comprised of the USA’s Firebug for best international act, and from Belgium, for best world song was Kenka.

Dean Hill of Raven Black Music, co-founder and organiser of the EMA®s said it was “Another great night in EMA®’s road to creative success.
“We manage to program an amazing night of live music which entertains and occasionally bemuses and amuses. More new winners are about to enjoy the attention of Raven Black Music as we now decide which of them to offer global distribution and assisted promotion deals”

Host and co-founder of the EMA®s Martin Brown showed appreciation for the venue’s efforts in saving the 2010 awards; “We would like to thank the Guildhall crew who have pulled together and been so efficient at such short notice, they responded well have been excellent to work with.”

Other winners were:

Mudball – Best tourdates video

Monsters in the Attic – Best metal song

Joni Fuller – Best female act

Arketta – Best easy song

Other performers were:

The Evolvers

Rookie Error

Purple Spiral Project

Jason James

The Echoes

Hey Jupiter

Juliana Meyer

Photographs by Carl Hewlett
In order of appearance: Chuk Norris, The Rebs, Maker, The Divine Secret