The MIA’s are awarded by the VRT and VI.BE.
Eleven of the 19 MIA’s were awarded by the public This year. Two of the main public prizes, “Solo Artist” and “Hit of the Year”, went to Pommelien Thijs, who was already considered a big favorite with her nine selections.
Pommelien Thijs therefore won 5 of his 9 nominations, also with MIA’s “Album” (for “Per ongeluk”), “Nederlandstalig” and “Pop”. Pommelien thus won in all the public categories where she was nominated. Pommelien was the only artist to receive more than one award.
The music industry itself also selects a few winners each year. Bart Peeters received the MIA Lifetime Achievement Award, and with ICP Recording Studios the Sector Lifetime Achievement Award. The other prizes were awarded to Brihang (“Artwork”), Jasper Maekelberg (“Producer”), Maarten Devoldere (“Author/composer”), Tamino et Angèle (“Music video” for “Sunflower”), Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul (“Live Act”), and the late Tom Pintens (posthumously for “Musician”).
The MIA’s were awarded for the first time this year during a show at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, after the Palais 12 in Brussels in previous years. It’s no coincidence that the awards ceremony falls in the middle of the Belgian Music Week (January 22-28), during which local music takes center stage across the country, on radio, television and online.
