Electronauts awards reveal best of Georgia’s electronic music scene

Some of Georgia’s brightest electronic music artists as well as leading events and venues were revealed at the annual Electronauts awards on the weekend.

Marking the 10th edition of the event established to reveal and support local "innovative pop culture” and electronic talent, organisers and enthusiasts of the scene were joined by nominees at the Khidi club in Tbilisi.

At the show that saw performances by invited artists, winning entrants were announced in no less than nine nominations.

Young producer Newa, signed to internationally recognised Berlin-based artist Ben Klock’s Klockworks label, will wear the title of Electronaut of the Year, but it wasn’t the only recognition she went away with from the occasion.

Her work Smash It was named Track of the Year, earning the honour ahead of 10 by IC122 and Swim On by singer and songwriter Sophie Villy and celebrated producer Nikakoi.

DE - Sounds from Georgia, a release featuring music by six artists from the country, was singled out from productions made over the last 12 months for the Album of the Year award.

Rounding off nominations for production work, a KayaKata band video Jungle With Fiction came away from the Electronauts ceremony as the Video of the Year, while Bassiani Records, founded on the back of the extraordinary success of the underground club of the same name, claimed the Label of the Year title.

In five VA (various artists) releases under their belt, the label has featured acclaimed creatives including Hector Oaks, Vril and Cassegrain.

On the performing front, Bassiani resident Zesknel celebrated the Live Act of the Year recognition, while fellow label artist Hamatsuki was unveiled as the top DJ of the past 12 months.

Organisers of the 4GB Festival, launched to celebrate the legacy of late pioneering DJ Gio Bakanidze and hosting nearly 20,000 enthusiasts over recent editions, received appreciation for their work with the Festival of the Year prize.

The 4GB Festival was named the top event of its kind for the past 12 months. Photo: 4GB Festival.

Finally, in the New Face of the Year, emerging artist Tkivilsaari was picked ahead of Andress Noel and Rydeen.

Local and international jury teams selected winners from shortlists of nominees, in addition to online voting by music enthusiasts.

Nearly a dozen invited artists and bands also performed at the anniversary awards for the crowds before the event, first launched in 2007, came to a close at Khidi.