Following on from last year’s inaugural induction of Magic Dirt, the National Live Music Awards is excited to reveal that the 2019 Live Legend recipient will be the one and only Deborah Conway.
In 2019, Deborah Conway is celebrating 40 years in the music industry – having started her career in Melbourne as a vocalist for the The Benders – the sort of act in which most artists earn their stripes; playing a mix of covers and originals while still at University.
This is where Conway met Dorland Bray, who sat on drums and vocals in the project. They started writing songs together, and ended up relocating to Sydney in 1981 to form Do-Ré-Mi, who went on to record two EPs and two LPs – Domestic Harmony and The Happiest Place in Town – producing, among others, one of the most iconic hit songs from that era, “Man Overboard”.
In the three decades following that project’s disbandment, Conway has been a part of an endless list of projects, from acts like Drawcards, Rose Amongst Thorns and Ultrasound to bringing together the unforgettable Broad Festival, a touring showcase of some of Australia’s finest female musicians. She starred on stage in projects like Dreaming Transportation: Voice Portraits of the First Women of White Settlement at Port Jackson and Always…Patsy Cline, and even served as the Director of the Queensland Music Festival, proving herself as versatile a talent that our country has ever seen.
It was the release of her acclaimed debut solo record String Of Pearls in 1991, which saw her take home an ARIA Award in 1992, that catapulted her on a journey that has produced no less than 11 records and ensured her as a mainstay of the Australian touring scene.
Her induction as the 2019 National Live Music Awards Live Legend should come as little surprise to those who have ever been witness to her performances; carrying equal parts skill, ferocity and charm that has seen her remain one of the most in demand artists in the country.
We’re excited that Conway will be performing at the National Live Music Awards gala, accompanied by her long time collaborator Willy Zygier – with whom she has released the last 10 albums culminating in their latest release, The Words of Men, earlier this year.
Of today’s announcement, National Live Music Awards Director Larry Heath said, “To be able to celebrate one of Australia’s best musicians is a true honour; Conway is everything that’s great about Australian music. Unapologetic, uncompromising and unstoppable. As someone who has given so much to this industry, we’re thrilled to pronounce her as a Live Legend – if there was even a doubt that she already was.”
Deborah’s award sits alongside the more than 60 other trophies that will be handed out around Australia on 4th December, which has nominees Stella Donnelly and Electric Fields sitting atop the pack, with six and five nominations, respectively.
For the first time ever, all State and Territory categories (except the “All Ages Achievement” award) are public voted, with voting running until and including November 12th.
All details on how to vote and where can be found at NLMAs.com.au/vote.
The main lineups for the 8 events around the country are also being announced today. And they are as follows…
Brisbane
The National Live Music Awards Gala
This year, the NLMAs gala will have no less than three hosts – none other than The Triffid’s infamous Not On Your Rider Trio: Patience Hodgson (The Grates), Aimon Clark (The Creases) and Jeremy Neale (Jeremy Neale, Velociraptor), in the surrounds of a unique stage set up thanks to our partners FV by Peppers.
The night will include performances from Live Legend inductee Deborah Conway with Willy Zygier plus nominees Jack Carty, Little Georgia and a very special introductory performance from The Blockades, who were one of our favourite acts that took part in this year’s QUBE Effect Program, presented by our partners Brisbane City Council. More acts and special guests will be announced in the leadup to the award gala.
https://www.facebook.com/events/402774047280420/
Strictly limited tickets remain at nlmas.oztix.com.au. To order a VIP table at the event, please contact nlmas@heathmedia.com.au.
Adelaide
With performances from nominees Oscar The Wild and more to be announced, our first ever event at The Crown & Anchor Hotel is shaping up to be a special night indeed. We’re running things from 6pm to 8pm at the venue. Keep your eyes on the Facebook Page for more event updates! This event is presented with the support of our media partners Three D Radio.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2451199235160595/
Canberra
We’re holding our first ever ACT event at sideway this year, and excited to announce that nominees Endrey, Kirklandd and Vendulka will all be performing live on the night, with special guest DJs keeping the party going. This event is presented with the support of our media partners BMA Magazine.
https://www.facebook.com/events/854289291633352/
Alice Springs
Hosted by Johanna Louise Campbell, our return to Alice Spring’s Epilogue Rooftop will feature very special, intimate performances from nominees Southeast Desert Metal, alongside Casii Williams, X A V I A and more to be announced! This event is presented with the support of our media partners Foldback Magazine.
https://www.facebook.com/events/558772024897510/
Launceston
Presented in collaboration with The Mofo Sessions
At Launceston’s Royal Oak Hotel, the NLMAs are partnering with The Mofo Sessions to present a very special night of music, kicking off with Animals with Big Heads – who are presented by the Tasmanian Rock Challenge, last year’s recipient of the All Ages Achievement award. And in anticipation of the return of nominees MONA FOMA to Launceston in January, the festival is proudly presenting King Ubu and Philomath for this special Mofo Sessions collaborative event. This event is presented with the support of our media partners Edge Radio.
https://www.facebook.com/events/705877249917729/
Sydney
Georgia Mooney’s “Open Mic Night”
Hosted by Georgia Mooney of All Our Exes Live in Texas and the “Supergroup” series at Giant Dwarf, the night will feature a number of announced and surprise live performances in the beautiful, intimate surrounds of The Newsagency.
Nominees like Alice Terry, and special guests like Sam Buckingham will be a part of the night, with a lot more to be announced. Only a couple of dozen tickets are being made available for this one, $15+bf, through oztix. This event is presented with the support of our media partners The Music Network. Keep an eye on the Facebook Page for all the updates on who’s playing and when:
https://www.facebook.com/events/257334971853489/
Melbourne
With live performances by Wolfjay, Ruby Gill, Merpire and P-UniQue, our first ever event at Melbourne’s The Tote is shaping up to be one of the biggest shows of the entire National Live Music Awards run! This event is presented with the support of our media partners SYN.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2915123285182406/
Fremantle
Hosted by Jacob Diamond, we’re excited to be returning to Fremantle’s Mojo’s Bar for the first time since 2017. The night, running from 6pm to 9pm, will include performances from Lucy Peach, Your Girl Pho and The Wilds. This event is presented with the support of our media partners RTR FM.
https://www.facebook.com/events/468804050393264/
———
First release tickets to ACT, VIC, WA, SA, TAS and the NT events are free, with registration through Oztix, while first release tickets to Sydney’s special event hosted by Georgia Mooney are $15+bf. Frst release tickets to the Brisbane gala are $39+bf. Strictly limited tickets are available to all events.
Tickets and further details are available now at nlmas.oztix.com.au.
The NLMAs are fronted by director Larry Heath with a board consisting of representatives from every state and territory around the country. This board, who elected the 100 judges who take part in the nominations and voting process, are: Aeron Clark (Music Tasmania, TAS), Andrew Tuttle (APRA AMCOS, QLD), Damian Cunningham (Elastic Entertainment, NSW), Dallas Frasca (Musician, VIC), Katie Noonan (Musician, QLD), Mark Smith (MusicNT, NT), Michelle Padovan (QMusic, QLD), Mike Harris (WAM, WA), Ruth O’Brien (Artist & Disability Advocate, ACT) and Sian Walden (Little Acorn Music, SA).
The National Live Music Awards are presented by our Ticketing Partners oztix. Panhead Custom Ales are the official beer of the NLMAs. The key Gala supporters are Brisbane City Council and APRA AMCOS. The SA event is presented by City of Adelaide, and the TAS event by The Mofo Sessions. Jameson is the official spirit of the NLMAs. FV by Peppers are the official hotel of the NLMAs.
Media Partners for the NLMAs are The Music Network (NSW), BMA (ACT), Edge Radio (TAS), Three D Radio (SA), Foldback Magazine (NT), SYN Media (VIC) and RTR FM (WA).
#NLMAs is the event’s official hashtag and the event can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at the handle @NLMAs19.