Vanda & Young, Alice Ivy, Dom Dolla Saluted at 2025 MPEG Awards
Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the peerless songwriting and producing duo who wrote the great Australian songbook, were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 MPEG Awards, presented Wednesday night, February 26th, in central Sydney.
Vanda and Young, the older brother of AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young, performed as members of the Easybeats and co-wrote a swag of classic songs performed by homegrown and international artists.
With that creative engine room locked in, the Easybeats would become one of the first Australian bands to go global, and dish some of this country’s most enduring pop and rock hits.
There’s no argument; Vanda & Young are a cornerstone of Australia’s contemporary music scene.
In 1988, the pair were inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame; in 2005 the Easybeats were elevated into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and in 2001, APRA surveyed 100 music industry personalities for the association’s Top 30 Australian Songs list, on which “Friday on My Mind”, their song covered by David Bowie, Gary Moore and others, came in at No. 1.
The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is named in their honour.
When the Easybeats disbanded in 1969, Vanda and Young established themselves as prolific songwriters and producers at Albert Productions under the guidance of Ted Albert. There, they steered the careers of numerous artists, including AC/DC, whose early albums they produced, including High Voltage and T.N.T.
The coveted MPEG Lifetime Achievement Award was accepted on behalf of the late Young by David Albert, CEO at Alberts, and by Harry’s son Daniel Vandenberg.
“One of the great privileges of my time at Alberts has been the opportunity to get to know and to work with Harry Vanda and George Young – two of Australia’s and arguably the world’s greatest songwriters, producers, engineers and performers,” Albert remarked from the stage.
“I know that if George was still with us today, he would have been very uncomfortable being up on this stage — unless of course he had his trusty Maton guitar in hand,” added Albert, “but he would have had a cheeky smile on his face knowing that he and his long-time friend, bandmate and co-conspirator were being recognised in this way.” Young passed in October 2017, aged 70.
Earlier at the MPEG Awards, which recognise excellence in music production and sound engineering, Anna Laverty, chair of organisers the Music Producer and Engineers’ Guild, praised Vanda & Young’s profound impact. “As we honour them tonight with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” she remarked in her opening address, “we acknowledge not just their past achievements, but also the lasting imprint they’ve left on the global music landscape.”
Their impact “is immeasurable,” enthused Laverty. “Their songs have been covered by international artists, and their production techniques have inspired countless musicians and producers.”
Winners on the night included Tasker (Breakthrough Producer of the Year), Chris Collins (Producer of the Year), Kevin Parker (Writer Producer of the Year) and co-host Alice Ivy (Self-Producing Artist of the Year). Electronic music superstar Dom Dolla won for Overseas Achievement of the Year, presented this year for the first time.
At evening’s end, Ivy went “off script” to share appreciation for Laverty and her tireless work. “The music industry is the Wild West,” she quipped. “We need to follow someone and Anna is leading the charge. We massively appreciate her.”
Eleven trophies were handed out at the second annual MPEG Awards, hosted this year at the UTS Aerial Function Centre with Neumann.Berlin as headline sponsor. Xavier Dunn was co-host on the night, with guests treated to live performances by Chelsea Warner with BOY SOFA, and a cover of “Friday on My Mind”, performed by Michael Carpenter.
The Guild was launched in 2022 to provide a voice for its members, and to represent their commercial interests and community through advocacy and engagement. Today, MPEG is guided by the likes of executive director Kurt Luthy, and board members Xylo Aria and Laverty.
Guests at the ceremony included foundation directors Cath Haridy and Tom Larkin, foundational members Eric J Dubowsky, ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd, Spotify ANZ head of music Alicia Sbrugnera, production ace Wayne Connolly, and former Alberts CEO Fifa Riccobono.
See the full list of winners here and below.
Producer of the Year: Chris Collins
Breakthrough Producer of the Year: Tasker
Self-Producing Artist of the Year: Alice Ivy
Writer Producer of the Year: Kevin Parker
Mix Engineer of the Year: Stefan Du Randt
Recording Engineer of the Year: Steven Schram
Mastering Engineer of the Year: Lachlan Carrick
Studio of the Year: Rolling Stock Recording Rooms
Outstanding Community Work: Grid Series Geelong
Overseas Achievement: Dom Dolla
Lifetime Achievement Award: Vanda & Young (Harry Vanda & George Young)