Ed Sheeran, Chet Faker Win Big At Helpmanns

The awards, produced by Live Performance Australia, celebrate live performances in contemporary and classical music, theatre, opera, dance, comedy, cabaret and musicals. Sheeran landed a gong for best international concert, up against The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters and Paul Simon & Sting.

Chet Faker won over Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes and Tina Arena for best Australian concert. Both winning shows were through Frontier Touring Company.

Best contemporary music festival went to the cutting-edge audio visual Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House, which had been pitched against Bluesfest Byron Bay, Laneway and WOMADelaide.

Brisbane classically trained singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke’s involvement in Opera Australia’s production of “The Rabbits” handed her two wins. These were for best new work and best original score, which she created with music director and cellist Iain Grandage.

Veteran singer-songwriter Paul Kelly was the recipient of the JC Williamson Award for outstanding contribution to the live scene. His band and singer-songwriter Sydney Opera House performed his 1995 song “Deeper Water” in tribute after Kelly thanked his family and friends “who put up with you, who miss you, who support you, who’ve got your back too, every step of the way.”

The triumph of the night was Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s “Les Miserables,” with five wins including best musical. The show is playing Sydney until October after runs in Melbourne and Perth.

Organiser Live Performance Australia (LPA)’s chief executive Evelyn Richardson said, “The Helpmann Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of the many people whose skill, passion and commitment continues to put Australia on the world map for live performance excellence.” The awards are screened on Foxtel Arts cable July 30 at 9:40 p.m. and Aug. 1 at 3 p.m.