After an incredible 3,500 entries from 52 countries, the 2024 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has announced its winners, with AU$85,000 in total prizes awarded across 15 categories. The entries showcased a remarkable range of talent, from emerging voices to established artists, spanning diverse genres and creative styles.
International artists from Australia, the U.S., and the UK claimed top honours, with Aussie writers and producers behind many of the global collaborations.
Taking out the first prize of AU$50,000 is Australia’s own Shannon Busch (aka WILSN) for her song Give You Love, performed by Jessica Mauboy (AU) and Jason Derulo (US).
“Hearing Jess sing the words I wrote brought me to tears,” says Busch. “It was a real ‘If my 10-year-old self could see me now’ moment. It’s surreal that my biggest musical success so far has come from a song about struggling to succeed in music.”
Australia’s Shannon Busch (aka WILSN) wins first prize with ‘Give You Love’, performed by fellow Aussie Jessica Mauboy and US star Jason Derulo.
The other 2024 major winners are:
- Second Prize (AU$10,000): Louis Schoorl (AU & UK) for 12 Minute Walk, performed by Bow Anderson (UK).
- Third Prize (AU$5,000): Cam Nacson (AU) for Forever Thing.
- Fourth prize, the Unpublished Australasian Songwriter Award (AU$5,000), proudly presented by AMPAL, was awarded to Charley for Timebomb, co-written with Anton Engdahl (SE) and Kristin Carpenter (SE), and produced by Anton Engdahl. On winning the AMPAL prize for the second year in a row, Charley said, “Winning this award again feels surreal. Timebomb captured the heartache of long-distance love, and knowing it resonates with so many means the world to me.
“This recognition makes pursuing music a little easier – it’s not easy, especially early on,” says Sydney-based Charley of winning the Unpublished Australasian Songwriter fourth prize, presented by AMPAL, for the second year running, for ‘Timebomb’.
Ten emerging songwriters also receive $1,000 for their highly marked entries:
- Kita Alexander – Date Night
- Lotte Gallagher – Adam
- Karina Savage – Landslide
- Lucy Sugerman – he loves me, he loves me not
- OKENO – PIXEL
- Chris Lanzon – Lilo (with Ber)
- tiffi – chemtrails
- Chelsea Berman – Where Does That Leave Me
- Daniella Marchio – Sweet
- Nathan May – It’s Gotta Start Somewhere
This year’s competition also included the American Songwriter Spotlight Award, providing Emma Hughes (UK) with AU$1,500, a feature on AmericanSongwriter.com, and entry into the American Songwriter Song Contest for her song Without You.
This year’s winners were selected by an esteemed panel of judges, including Australian artists Aloe Blacc, Guy Sebastian, and Troy Cassar-Daley, from an extraordinary pool of talent.
The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has become an influential force in the music industry, providing songwriters with global recognition, industry exposure, and career development. With past Australian winners such as Amy Shark, King Stingray, and Gang of Youths, the competition has played a key role in elevating local talent and shaping the future of our vibrant music scene.
Since its inception in 2009, the competition has raised over AU$2M for Noro Music Therapy, which provides a diverse range of music therapy and community programs designed to help people of all ages and circumstances enhance their well-being and get the most out of life. Entry fees continue to support their important work.
Alberts, in collaboration with APRA AMCOS and Sony Music Publishing, is proud to be a founding supporter of the competition, named in honour of powerhouse songwriting duo Harry Vanda and the late George Young.
(Feature image, l-r: Shannon Busch (aka WILSN), Louis Schoorl and Cam Nacson).
