Belle Madden won two awards. Photo: Ginette Guidolin Photography.
Psychologist and singer/guitarist Belle Madden, 26, won the best original song and people’s choice awards at the fifth annual Grass Roots Open Mic at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Sunday (4 August).
Ms Madden was raised in Narrabri, where she first started performing her alternative pop-rock tunes. Her music career was placed on hiatus while she studied psychology at the University of Wollongong, but she made her comeback to the stage after graduating and moving to Griffith in 2023 to work at a school.
“Griffith is incredibly supportive of art in general. It’s a loving environment to be in,” she said.
“I’ve done a lot of live gigs here and there. It’s my break from my day-to-day.”
At Grass Roots, she performed an untitled song inspired by the suicide of her cousin, which an audience member suggested she name ‘More Time’.
“It’s written about feeling grief for a person I wish I knew better,” she said.
The Grass Roots competition provides an opportunity for new and emerging artists of all ages to perform and win prizes.
Ms Madden won a recording session at CAD Factory, which provides professional development for artists. She will take the opportunity to work on ‘More Time’, which she hopes can be released as a single.
Jaymi Clancy took out the award in the Under 21 category and will now participate in a one-on-one session with mentorship program Song Makers.
Dwayne Broome was recognised with the Judge’s Choice Performance Award in the Open category. He won the honour of performing at the Griffith Regional Theatre season launch later this year. Laylah Bains took home the same award in the Under 21 category, and will have the opportunity to show off her voice at the Piccolo Long Lunch Event in October.
There were 14 performances at the Grass Roots concert. Photo: Ginette Guidolin Photography.
The people’s choice awards went to Ms Madden in the Open category and Maria Piccolo in the Under 21 category. They both received a $250 voucher from Custom Music.
The winners were:
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻): Belle Madden
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭): Jaymi Clancy
𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻): Dwayne Broome
𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭): Laylah Bains
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻): Belle Madden
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭): Maria Piccolo
Over 200 Griffith residents attended the concert, with 14 performers taking to the stage. Contestants showed off their skills with a mix of covers and original songs.
Bonnie Owen, from hospitality company ARTFARM and one of the Grass Roots judges, expressed her delight with this year’s event.
“We are so pleased with this year’s outcome. Every year we see the Grass Roots program welcome more competitors and larger audiences, all keen to see the up-and-coming talent in our region. How lucky we are to have such talent from the competitors, such enthusiasm from our audiences, skill and support from the staff and our partners, and an exceptional venue like Griffith Regional Theatre in our region,” she said.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
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