Photography by William Attard MacCarthy

The Bay Music Awards on Monday saw the Bay Arena bustling with life, as thousands attended the highly anticipated show in support of 89.7 Bay and Malta’s local music scene.

The event, which was sponsored by Heineken and Coke – and supported by InterContinental Malta – gave audience the event of a lifetime, as 23 show-stopping performances graced the stage, alongside some of Malta’s greatest dancers and Bay’s very own; Bay Breakfast’s Drew, Drive time’s Nathan, and 89.7 Bay’s newest addition (and Malta’s tallest deejay) Ben Glover – who kept the crowd on their toes and both energy – and scream levels up throughout the night. The night’s performances concluded with the Bay Kids song ‘Reach Out’ by Toby & JJoy ft. Lyndsay. The song is available for download from iTunes in aid of YMCA Malta.

JJoy & MC Marshall

Popular faces and some of Malta’s finest talent took to the stage in order to present the category awards, with stars including the Zoo Team, John Bundy, Melanie Kelly, Miriam Dalli, Quinton Scerri, Andrew Hogg, Eden Leisure Group Director – Mr. Kevin  DeCesare, Stephanie Cassar and Shanel Debattista.  This year, public SMS votes topped the records held in any of the previous year’s by staggering amounts – thus only proving the growing support for both established and upcoming local talent.

Christabelle receiving best solo award

The winners of the five categories (presented by the above personalities)and the Presenter’s Choice award (given out by 89.7 Bay’s fun-loving deejays Mat and Dorian Cassar) include:

The Crowns won Best Newcomer award

A brand new award, called the ‘Raise the Roof Award’ was presented for the very first time this year, allowing all those who performed on the night a chance to get their hands on the prestigious, and innovative award if they managed to obtain the loudest screams from their adoring fans following their act. The sheer volume and strength of the audience reaction – picked up and tallied through the use of sensitive microphones and advanced technology – determined the category winner, announced by Kevin DeCesare Jnr. 89.7 Bay, along with the award sponsor – 202 Jewellery – and the winner was Airport Impressions, giving them a grand total of three awards  The win made this the band’s third award for the night, out of the 7 categories presented.

If you were unable to be part of the fun this year – or would perhaps like to see the show again, The Bay Music Awards will be aired on ONE TV on Monday19 December, with a repeat show taking place on Christmas day at 3.30pm. Voting for the Viewer’s Choice Award will also open during the first screening of the BMA’s, and will officially close at midnight on 26 December.