Our Melbourne leg of The Cassette Awards 2025 hit The Espy’s iconic Gershwin Room last night, celebrating the talent, passion, and creative drive of our incredible Music, Audio, and Entertainment Business Management students and alumni. 

The atmosphere was electric from the first chord to the final encore. Guests filled Australia’s longest-running live music venue, joining a new generation of JMC artists as they graced the same stage that’s hosted Snoop Dogg, Paul Kelly, G Flip, Foster the People, Nick Cave, Jet, Courtney Barnett and Rockwiz. 

The Cassette Awards shine a spotlight on outstanding achievements across JMC’s creative disciplines — from songwriting and production to performance and business innovation. 

To kick off this year’s Cassette Awards, our Melbourne showcase did not disappoint. With students, staff, friends and family cheering each other on, it was a powerful reminder that JMC’s community is built on collaboration, creativity and heart. 

Behind every spotlight on stage, was another JMC student story behind the scenes. Our Entertainment Business Management (EBM) students and alumni were the backbone of the night — managing doors, lighting, stage transitions, social media and production. Their professionalism made The Espy feel like a full-scale industry event (because it was). 

It was the perfect example of JMC’s ethos in action: hands-on experience, real-world learning, and creative confidence at every level. 

Alumni Achievement Award 

Recognising excellence from JMC graduates making waves in the industry. 

Nominees: Nathan Abbey (Ants, Ants, Ants), Amelia Allan (Won’t Miss You), Lara Anderson (Traces), Dana Ariel (Wishful Thinking), Nash Cooper (Breakfast) 

Winner: Lara Anderson — Traces 

Outstanding Instrumental Performance Award 

For musicians who take performance to new creative heights. 

Nominees: Jake Hanney (Feel the Breeze in Your Hair), Alex Perkin – The Opals (Romanticise) 

Winner: Jake Hanney — Feel the Breeze in Your Hair 

Golden Ears Mixing Award 

Honouring the finest ears in the mix — precision, clarity and creative flair. 

Nominees: Nevana Kumara Dewi, Brodie Evans, Toby Sarsono, Muhammad “Ziq” Ramdhan 

Winner: Brodie Evans 

Best Produced Track Award 

For producers who blend technical mastery with creative storytelling. 

Nominees: Abby Barnes (Mars), Sophie Huigsloot aka Sakura (Big Flirt), Jo Mathers (Fine Lines), Petra Pasaribu aka Reo (I’ve Got All the Time in the World), Caleb Vercoe aka Mystne (Everything) 

Winner: Caleb Vercoe aka Mystne — Everything  

Vocal Excellence Award 

Celebrating voices that stop you in your tracks. 

Nominees: Rauzah Hamzah (Fool’s Errand), Xandri (Away), Abeny Hayes (The Prize), Chanel Louise (Mean), Mila Poddine from Mila + Lucas (You and I) 

Winner: Xandri — Away  

EBM Trailblazer Award 

For the entrepreneurs, organisers, and creative thinkers leading the industry forward. 

Nominees: Alex Mouw, Ella Hassan, Georgie Gamble 

Winner: Georgie Gamble 

People’s Choice Award 

Chosen by our community — the songs that truly struck a chord. 

Nominees: Out of My Mind – Takee | Sands of Time – Monochromia | Soon, You Will Be – Aeriqah | Feel the Breeze in Your Hair – Jake Hanney | The Kid Who’s Always Leaving – Abeny Hayes | Fine Lines – Jo Mathers | Selfish – Paige McFarlane-Smith | I’ve Got All the Time in the World – Reo | Fool’s Errand – Rauzah Hamzah | Right Now – Charli Grace | Everything – Mystne 

Winner: Paige McFarlane-Smith — Selfish 

Original Song of the Year Award 

The songwriting category that celebrates emotion, craft, and originality. 

Nominees: Ali Dellas (Saturday Night), Xandri (Away), Abeny Hayes (The Prize), Jo Mathers (Fine Lines), Petra Pasaribu aka Reo (I’ve Got All the Time in the World) 

Winner: Abeny Hayes — The Prize  

We had three incredible live performances from our talented students and alumni throughout the night and wow, they delivered. 

The Gershwin Room was packed wall-to-wall, the lights low and the crowd buzzing as each act took the stage. Performances from Jacqui Lumsden, Alex Perkin & The Opals with Romanticise, and Xandri with Away had the audience cheering, dancing, and singing along.  

Massive thanks to our partners who made the night possible: 

Roland Cloud, Supersonic Recordings, Turramurra Music, Focusrite, ADAM Audio, Novation, Eventide, Disco, Bonza, and GYRO. 

Congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and organisers at our Melbourne leg of the Cassette Awards for an unforgettable night in the heart of St Kilda. 

The celebrations doesn’t stop here, our Sydney and Brisbane Cassette Awards are up next this week! We can’t wait to see more incredible performances from our students and alumni, and have another celebration of their creativity, talent and collaboration.