For the fifth year in a row the great and the good of the local arts scene gathered at Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre for the annual Panic Awards ceremony on Friday 13th May. Featuring 10 categories covering music, theatre, venues and more, including 8 voted by the public, the awards recognise those that help build and maintain the cultural events of our city.
The VT footage this year was better than ever, with comedy skits in between each award and interviews of the nominees before the winners were announced. Things kicked off in great style with a video montage of Andy Poole running past Chelmsford landmarks with a microphone, a la Chariots of Fire.
Chelmsford landmarks played a part in the staging this year too, which was brilliantly done by the Shiny Shed. Andy took his place behind the lectern, styled fantastically as local eyesore Cater House, whilst on the other side of the stage was Melbourne Flats, the multi story car park, and Judge Tindall. The Shiny Shed were also responsible for the awards themselves. In a departure from the previous glass pieces, the Shed created miniature models of Cater House, with the winners names at the foot of the building, and they were nothing short of fantastic.
All of the performances from the bast band nominees, who are each asked to perform one song on the night, went to perfection, and they not only showed just what a wide range of music was represented this year but also illustrated the huge amount of effort that the Panic Awards team puts in to making a show that ran so well. Whilst Andy joked at the start of the evening, to those in attendance that hadn’t been before, that the awards were a ‘ramshackle affair’, the difference each year is quite clear as the team get more experience; what they create at the Panic Awards really is very special.
Now to the important stuff, the winners! Congratulations to everybody that picked up an award, and all those that were nominated.
Best Band
Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective
Best Venue
St Annes Castle
Best Independent Promoter
Essex Rocks
Best DJ
Andy Scott
Best Independent Theatre Production
Our House – Tomorrows Talent
Best Solo Performer
Jazz Singer Nichole Peach
Best One Off Event
St Annes Castle Charity Day
Best Club Night
Hooga Acoustic
Outstanding Contribution (Joint)
Marc Miller & Jon Board
Chelmsford Theatre Workshop
Best Newcomer
Noise Kitten
Photographs copyright Paul McClean. For more click here
