Stella Donnelly Wins Levi's Music Prize

The first of four Levi’s Music Prize winners was announced today during the closing day of BIGSOUND Festival 2017. 

After three amazing nights of music, the panel of international music industry buyers chose Perth singer/songwriter Stella Donnelly to take home the $25,000 prize; the first of a three year commitment from Levi's. Three further prizes of $25,000 will be awarded to BIGSOUND alumni over the coming twelve months to help artists take advantage of relationships and deals cultivated during the event, creating a total annual prize pool of $100,000.

"Bigsound has been an incredible experience. There have been so many brilliant artists playing every night and just to be apart of this musical community has blown my mind. To be chosen as the Levi's Music Prize winner is an absolute shock, surprise and honour "

Stella Donnelly

The announcement comes as we enter the final hours of BIGSOUND which has seen inspirational keynote speeches from Tina Arena, Archie Roach, Sadie Dupuis, Kenny Gates and Alison Wenham and industry workshops tackling issues including mental health, gender equity, Australian content and more. The event also showcased half-hour sets from over 150 of the country’s hottest new musical artists across eighteen Fortitude Valley venues playing for an event record 120+ international buyers and guests.

The event smashed its previous attendance record with over 6000 people enjoying BIGSOUND across three nights and has been widely hailed as the best BIGSOUND ever. With success across the live music, visual arts and tech programs, BIGSOUND has yet again taken things to another level.

“We thank the Australian music community for once again making us the strongest music events of its type,” said QMusic Executive Officer Joel Edmondson. “We not only congratulate the Inaugural Levi’s Music Prize winner Stella Donnelly, but also all the BIGSOUND artists that have achieved recording deals, publishing deals, show offers and other outcomes from their BIGSOUND experience.”

Before we pack up our Octopus and go home, BIGSOUND has one final hurrah with the Mountain Goat Closing Party tonight at Woolly Mammoth.

LEVI’S MUSIC PRIZE JUDGING PANEL Jane Abernethy - 4AD Jackie Nalpant – Paradigm Mary Ramos - Saturday Music Inc. Melissa Woods - Third Side Music Jillian Mapes – Pitchfork Stuart Myer - Sub Pop Peter Berard – Domino Mazin Tappuni – Communion Marshall Betts – Paradigm Mike Ajayi - All My Friends

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