Streaming platform Melbourne Digital Concert Hall has won a Special Achievement Award at this year’s National Live Music Awards. The innovative start-up, established as Australia shut down live music due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised almost three quarters of a million dollars for musicians – whose incomes have otherwise been decimated – since the first concert was broadcast in March.

Chris Howlett and Adele SchonhardtMelbourne Digital Concert Hall Co-Directors Chris Howlett and Adele Schonhardt. Photo © Albert Comper

“It is an amazing feeling to win a National Live Music Award for excellence in supporting Australian live music during COVID-19 and it is the sum of the hard work of so many,” said Co-Director Chris Howlett, who established the platform with Adele Schonhardt. “It has been incredible to see what a bold idea has evolved into and the sense of community that it has built around it. Many doubted it would last a month, both COVID-19 or MDCH. A huge thanks must be given to everyone that supports the platform, from the huge support of our founding partners 5stream, Kawai and the Athenaeum Theatre to those who donated $5 or shared our post on...