APRA Music Awards of 2012

The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2012 (generally known as APRA Awards) are a series of related awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Art Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards of 2012 was the 30th annual ceremony by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) to award outstanding achievements in contemporary songwriting, composing and publishing. The ceremony was held on 28 May 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Art Music Awards were introduced in 2011 to replace the Classical Music Awards (last held in 2009) and were distributed on 3 April at the Sydney Opera House. They are sponsored by APRA and the Australian Music Centre (AMC) to "recognise achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian music". The Screen Music Awards were issued on 19 November by APRA and Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), which "acknowledges excellence and innovation in the genre of screen composition". On 2 May nominations for the APRA Music Awards were announced on multiple news sources, with Lanie Lane being the most nominated artist. Hosts for the 2012 APRA Music Awards were Missy Higgins and Jonathan Biggins. A total of 12 awards were presented. Sydney-based talent agent, Mary Lopez, was honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. Gotye (aka Wally de Backer) received the most awards, winning Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Most Played Australian Work. The APRA Music Awards ceremony is due to be broadcast on the MAX network on 12 June 2012.

Presenters
At the APRA Music Awards, aside from the hosts, Missy Higgins and Jonathan Biggins, the presenters were Yusuf Islam, Felicity Urquhart, Philip Mortlock and New South Wales Premier, Barry O'Farrell.

Performances
The APRA Music Awards ceremony showcased performances by:
 * Tina Arena featuring Tex Perkins – "Somebody That I Used to Know"
 * Kate Miller-Heidke – "You Should Consider Having Sex With a Bearded Man"
 * Bob Evans – "I Started a Joke"
 * Kram – "Oh Well, That's What You Get For Falling in Love With a Cowboy"
 * Russell Morris and PVT – "The Real Thing"
 * Sophia Brous – "Cameo Lover"
 * Bertie Blackman – "Brother"

Songwriter of the Year

 * Gotye

Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

 * Mary Lopez