Tonight in Sydney, the third annual National Live Music Awards announced the nominees across 55 categories, and revealed the addition of the award’s “Hall of Fame” equivalent, detailing their plans to induct a legendary Australian band as the award’s first “Live Legends”.
The band in question will be announced closer to the 6th December event, and will see a special presentation looking back at their career, accompanied by a very special performance from the group at Brisbane’s Triffid, where this year’s Gala Awards Night is being held.
Leading the list of this year’s nominees are Camp Cope, who last year walked away with three trophies, and this year lead the pack with six nominations. This includes for Live Act of the Year presented by APRA AMCOS, and the industry NLMA trophy, for their continued efforts in speaking out against venues and festivals who program problematic acts and don’t aim for a gender balance.
Cable Ties and Stella Donnelly – both of whom also won trophies last year in their home states – have five nominations each, with Cable Ties having the rare distinction of having every member of their band nominated for individual live musicianship.
Baker Boy, meanwhile, is making his debut as a NLMA nominee, with 5 nominations, including Live Act of the Year presented by APRA AMCOS and Best New Act presented by the official beer of the NLMAs, Panhead Custom Ales.
Coming in with four nominations a piece are Amy Shark, Caiti Baker, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, High Tension and Tropical Fuck Storm (TFS).
Genesis Owusu, Tkay Maidza, Luca Brasi, Kira Puru, West Thebarton and WAAX, meanwhile, have three nominations each.
The Wollongong Festival Yours & Owls has four nominations, with its under 18s event being nominated in the All Ages Achievement (AAA) category – a category which also sees Adam Smith, the event’s director, receiving a stand-alone nomination. Their nominations are particularly timely with the NSW leg of the event being held at Wollongong’s Rad Bar – which itself has been nominated for Best Live Music Venue of NSW presented by Oztix.
The All Ages Achievement (AAA) Award this year expands to every state and territory around the country, recognising the achievements of an individual, organisation, band/artist or event who has worked through the red tape and helped make all ages events happen in their state. Some States/Territories only have a winner which will be revealed on the night, others have five nominees announced today, with artists like Mallrat and Travis Dempsey of The Living End recognised, the latter for his work on the youth music programs in the City of Onkaparinga.
The award – which was initiated in NSW in 2016 through a partnership with one of the country’s biggest advocates for All Ages events, Music NSW, the category expanded to VIC last year through a partnership with The Push and this year sees the award go national for the first time, helping bring the total number of awards handed out by the NLMAs to 62.
Director of the NLMAs, Larry Heath, said of the nominations, “This is without question the most diverse, exciting group of nominees we’ve ever had. We hope it shines a light on some great emerging talent that you mightn’t have heard of, while acknowledging the incredible work of well established artists, festivals and venues around the country. We can’t wait to celebrate the people who make the Australian Live Music Industry the best in the world on Thursday, 6th December.”
Also announced at the event, this year the awards will be making the People’s Choice categories more interactive than ever before.
Through the awards’ partnership with The Music Network, the public will be able to nominate their favourite Australian live act, and favourite Australian live voice, from today – Tuesday 2nd October – through to Tuesday 23rd October. On the 24th, the top ten will be announced and the public will have another three weeks – until November 13th – to vote in each category. Everyone who nominates or votes will go in the draw to win a double pass to the awards in their State or Territory as well as additional prizes to be revealed over the coming weeks.
The awards also announced plans to pay tribute to beloved Melbourne photographer Ros O’Gorman, with a special exhibition, upstairs at The Old Bar in Melbourne on the night of the event. A selection of her work will be on display alongside some of the nominees of this year’s “Best Live Music Photographer” category – which sees Jess Gleeson, Kane Hibberd, Lauren Connelly, Michelle Grace Hunder and Naomi Beveridge nominated in what is the award’s debut.
With the exception of the two public voted categories, National Live Music Awards are voted on by 100 judges nationally, who are elected by the award’s 11 national board members.
Tickets to all satellite events (bar Perth) are available now through Oztix, and cost just $10, with $5 from every ticket going to the event’s chosen charity Support Act. Perth tickets will be available on the door at The Sewing Room, while Canberra is a free show via Oztix RSVP, with optional $5 donations requested on the door for Support Act. A strictly limited number of GA tickets for the Brisbane Triffid are available for $39+bf. VIP tickets will be made available by invite only.
Lineups for all events will be revealed over the coming weeks. Stay tuned to nlmas.com.au and our various media partners for ticket giveaways and more details about the events. Those who wish to volunteer for the event in their State or Territory are encouraged to do so at the official website.
The National Live Music Awards are presented by the official ticketing partner of the NLMAs, Oztix and the official Beer of the NLMAs, Panhead Custom Ales with additional national sponsorship from APRA AMCOS, Jameson and Sandberg Guitars. State and Territory Sponsorship has been provided by Music NSW, City of Adelaide and the Queensland Music Festival. Media Partners for the NLMAs are The Music Network, 4ZZZ, RTR FM, Edge Radio, 2SER, Foldback Magazine, BMA Mag, SYN Media and Radio Adelaide. Additional Support has been provided by Audio-Technica and Netgigs.
And now, here are the nominees…
NATIONAL AWARDS
Live R&B or Soul Artist of the Year
Caiti Baker
Kira Puru
Mojo Juju
The Bamboos
The Sugarcanes
Live Blues & Roots Artist of the Year
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Cash Savage and the Last Drinks
CW Stoneking
Dan Sultan
John Butler Trio
Live Pop Artist of the Year
Ali Barter
Amy Shark
Confidence Man
Stella Donnelly
The Preatures
Live Country Artist of the Year
Brad Butcher
Fanny Lumsden
Freya Josephine Hollick
Hana & Jessie Lee’s Bad Habits
Marlon Williams
Live Hard Rock Artist of the Year
Amyl & The Sniffers
Cable Ties
High Tension
Luca Brasi
Tropical Fuck Storm
Live DJ/Electronic Artist of the Year
Alice Ivy
Electric Fields
ShockOne
The Kite String Tangle
The Presets
Live Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
A.B. Original
Baker Boy
Genesis Owusu
Sampa The Great
Tkay Maidza
International Live Achievement: Band
Recognising the live achievements of an Australian band outside of Australia’s borders
Camp Cope
Gang of Youths
Methyl Ethel
Peking Duk
West Thebarton
International Live Achievement: Solo Artist
Recognising the live achievements of an Australian solo artist outside of Australia’s borders
Alex Lahey
Amy Shark
Courtney Barnett
Stella Donnelly
Tash Sultana
The NLMA
The National Live Music Award, or “The NLMA” is our annual trophy given to an individual or an organisation who have made a difference in the live music scene, particularly over the last 12 months.
Camp Cope – For speaking out against venues and festivals who program problematic acts and don’t aim for a gender balance.
Girls Rock! Australia – A national network of girls rock camps. Each program is independently run by a team of musicians and educators passionate about empowering girls, trans and gender-diverse young people through music education and mentorship.
Helen Marcou – Helen’s continued involvement and leadership in supporting live music via the SLAM and Safer Venues activities has been so successful that her ideas have been highly influential across the entire country, not just in Victoria.
Milk! Records – Not since Michael Gudinski established Mushroom in 1970’s has there been such awareness raised and conversations started re Independent vs major release/distribution, and this is all thanks to the amazing Jen Cloher and her team at Milk!
Sharni Honor – One of the industry’s brightest lights is Sharni Honor in Adelaide, who is responsible for creating The Porch Sessions, The Porch Sessions Tour and now Porchland Festival – providing a wealth of opportunities for emerging musicians.
Live Photographer of the Year
Jess Gleeson
Kane Hibberd
Lauren Connelly
Michelle Grace Hunder
Naomi Beveridge
Live Instrumentalist of the Year
Erica Dunn (TFS)
Hannah Marjorie Crofts (All Our Exes Live in Texas)
Kat Mear (Cash Savage and the Last Drinks)
Kirsty Tickle (Party Dozen, Exhibitionist)
Luke Liang (Guy Sebastian, Alex The Astronaut, Nicole Millar, Jarryd James and more)
“The Sheddy” – Live Drummer of the Year
Dave Mudie (Courtney Barnett)
Jen Sholakis (Jen Cloher, East Brunswick All Girls Choir)
Sarah Thompson (Camp Cope)
Shauna Boyle (Cable Ties)
Tim Commandeur (PNAU, Tkay Maidza)
Live Bassist of the Year – Presented by Sandberg Guitars
The winner of this category will receive a brand new Bass Guitar courtesy of Sandberg Guitars.
Annie Siegmann (Mio, Sasha March, Hana & Jessie-Lee and more)
Isobel D’Cruz Barnes (HEXDEBT)
Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich (Camp Cope)
Nick Brown (Cable Ties)
Zoe Hauptmann
Live Guitarist of the Year
Aife Larkin (HEXDEBT, Jarrow)
Gareth Liddiard (TFS)
Jen Cloher
Jenny Mckechnie (Cable Ties)
PLINI
Festival of the Year
A Festival Called Panama
BIGSOUND
Dark Mofo
Falls Festival
Yours & Owls Festival
Live Voice of the Year
Caiti Baker
Georgia Maq (Camp Cope)
Karina Utomo (High Tension)
Kira Puru
Stella Donnelly
Best New Act of the Year – Presented by Panhead Custom Ales
A. Swayze & the Ghosts
Alex The Astronaut
Baker Boy
Tropical Fuck Storm
WAAX
Live Act of the Year – Presented by APRA AMCOS
Baker Boy
Camp Cope
High Tension
WAAX
West Thebarton
2018 “Live Legend” Inductee
TO BE ANNOUNCED
STATE AND TERRITORY AWARDS
NSW Awards – Presented by 2SER
Live Act of the Year
Gang of Youths
Hockey Dad
Julia Jacklin
Skegss
The Presets
Live Voice of the Year
David Le’aupepe (Gang of Youths)
Julia Jacklin
Matt Corby
Sarah Blasko
Vera Blue
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Enmore Theatre
Oxford Art Factory
Rad Bar
The Lansdowne
Waywards
Live Event of the Year
Fairgrounds
King Street Crawl
Laneway Festival
Splendour in the Grass
Yours & Owls
AAA – All Ages Achievement presented by Music NSW
The AAA Award recognises the achievements of an individual, organisation, band/artist or event who have worked through the red tape and helped make all ages events happen in our state and/or provided opportunities for Under 18s.
Adam Smith (Director, Yours & Owls)
Live and Local 2018 (Live Music Office Initiative)
Mark Gerber (Owner, Oxford Art Factory)
Yabun Festival
Yours & Owls: Under 18s Festival
QLD Awards – Presented by 4ZZZ
Live Act of the Year
Amy Shark
BUGS
Confidence Man
Hollow Coves
WAAX
Live Voice of the Year – Presented by Queensland Music Festival
Amy Shark
Bernard Fanning
Connor Brooker (BUGS)
Kate Miller-Heidke
Monica Sottile (Sweater Curse)
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Black Bear Lodge
SolBar
The Junk Bar
The Triffid
The Zoo
Live Event of the Year
Big Pineapple Festival
BIGSOUND
Maroochy Music and Vis Arts Festival
Women in Voice
Woodford Folk Festival
AAA – All Ages Achievement
WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
VIC Awards – Presented by SYN Media
Live Act of the Year
Alex Lahey
Angie McMahon
Cable Ties
Cash Savage and the Last Drinks
Sampa The Great
Live Voice of the Year
Angie McMahon
Cash Savage
Karina Utomo (High Tension)
Kira Puru
Rromarin
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Howler
Northcote Social Club
The Forum
The Tote
The Workers Club
Live Event of the Year
The Hills are Alive
Changes
Melbourne Music Week
Meredith Music Festival
Boogie Festival
AAA – All Ages Achievement
Collarts
Kate Duncan (The Push)
Mallrat
Music Victoria
The Corner Hotel
SA Awards – Presented by Radio Adelaide
Live Act of the Year – Presented by the City of Adelaide
Heaps Good Friends
Horror My Friend
Sleep Talk
Tkay Maidza
West Thebarton
Live Voice of the Year
Chris Panousakis (Timberwolf)
Louis Donnarumma (Donnarumma)
Naomi Keyte
Paige Renee Court (MANE)
Tkay Maidza
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Crown & Anchor
Jive
The Gov
The Grace Emily Hotel
Thebarton Theatre
Live Event of the Year
A Day of Clarity
Laneway Festival
SCOUTED
Spin Off Festival
WOMADelaide
AAA – All Ages Achievement
Music SA
Fowler’s Live
YouthFM (Three D Radio)
Northern Sound System
Travis Dempsey (of The Living End, for his work on the youth music programs in the CIty of Onkaparinga)
WA Awards – Presented by RTR FM
Live Act of the Year
Carla Geneve
Mama Kin Spender
Stella Donnelly
SUPEREGO fka POW! Negro
The Floors
Live Voice
Bella Nicholls (Demon Days)
Carla Geneve
Jacob Diamond
Kiera Owen (New Talk)
Stella Donnelly
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Badlands
Mojo’s Bar
Rosemount Hotel
The Sewing Room
The Bird
Live Event of the Year
Camp Doogs
Fairbridge Music Festival
In the Pines
Nannup Music Festival
State Of The Art Festival (SOTA)
AAA – All Ages Achievement
Em Burrows
Hyperfest
Rock Scholars
RTRfm
WAM
TAS Awards – Presented by Edge Radio
Live Act of the Year
A. Swayze & The Ghosts
Christopher Coleman Collective
Luca Brasi
The Native Cats
The Sleepyheads
Live Voice of the Year
Chloe Alison Escott (The Native Cats)
Christopher Coleman
Mary Shannon (Meres)
Seth Henderson
Tyler Richardson (Luca Brasi)
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Hobart Brewing Company
The Brisbane Hotel
The Grand Poobah
The Homestead
The Odeon Theatre
Live Event of the Year
a festival called PANAMA
Dark Mofo
Falls Festival Marion Bay
Mona Foma
Til The Wheels Fall Off
AAA – All Ages Achievement
WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
ACT Awards
Live Act of the Year
Citizen Kay
Genesis Owusu
Happy Axe
Moaning Lisa
Slow Turismo
Live Voice of the Year
Ella Hunt (Solo, The Lowlands, Azim Zain and his Lovely Bones)
Evan Buckley (The Burley Griffin)
Genesis Owusu
Keven 007 (Glitoris)
Shoeb Ahmad
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Smith’s Alternative
The Basement
The Phoenix Bar
The Polish White Eagle Club
Transit Bar
Live Event of the Year
Groovin’ The Moo
National Folk Festival
Spilt Milk Festival
No Front Fences
AAA – All Ages Achievement
WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
NT Awards – Presented by Foldback Magazine
Live Act of the Year
Baker Boy
Ben Evolent
Broadwing
Caiti Baker
Resin Moon
Live Voice of the Year
Baker Boy
Caiti Baker
Shellie Morris
Stevie Jean
Yirrmal
Live Venue of the Year – Presented by Oztix
Darwin Railway Club
Epilogue Lounge
Gap View Hotel
The Studio – Darwin Entertainment Centre
The Pints Club
Live Event of the Year
Bass in the Grass
Barunga Festival
Darwin Festival
Wide Open Space Festival
I Love Yirrkala Festival
AAA – All Ages Achievement
WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
PUBLIC NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR BEST LIVE VOICE AND BEST LIVE ACT THROUGH THE MUSIC NETWORK: https://themusicnetwork.com/vote-in-the-national-live-music-awards. VOTING CLOSES OCTOBER 23RD AND NOMINEES ARE TO BE REVEALED ON WEDNESDAY 24TH OCTOBER.
The National Live Music Awards will be held on Thursday 6th December 2018.
QLD – Brisbane Gala:
The Triffid – Limited GA Tickets $39+bf
Satellite Events:
NSW: Wollongong – Rad Bar – Tickets: $10 inc. bf through Oztix or $10 on Door.
SA: Adelaide – The Grace Emily – Tickets: $10 inc. bf through Oztix or $10 on Door.
VIC: Melbourne – The Old Bar – Tickets: $10 inc. bf through Oztix or $10 on Door.
NT: Darwin – The Railway Club – Tickets: $10 inc. bf through Oztix or $10 on Door.
TAS: Hobart – Hobart Brewing Company – Tickets: $10 inc. bf through Oztix or $10 on Door.
ACT: Canberra – The Phoenix – Free with RSVP through Oztix and Donation on Door to Support Act
WA: Perth – The Sewing Room – Tickets $10 on Door.
Each satellite event will have the 5 state/territory awards handed out, with full live performances, DJ sets and special guests. Door prizes from Audio-Technica will be handed out at every event. Tickets are available now through the NLMA’s official ticketing partners Oztix. $5 from every ticket goes to Support Act.