Today the 4th Annual National Live Music Awards revealed the nominees for more than 50 categories, recognising the live work of musicians, venues, events and those behind the scenes from around the country.
Topping the list of nominees this year is Stella Donnelly, who took home three awards at the 2018 event and two awards in 2017. This time, her and her bandmates have no less than six nominations to their name. Electric Fields – also no strangers to the awards, having won three awards across 2017 and 2018, sit with five nominations, including two for Live Voice of the Year for Zaachariaha Fielding, and a spot in the prestigious national Live Act of the Year category, which is presented by APRA AMCOS.
The top of the list isn’t just filled with familiar faces, however. Some of the year’s biggest nominees are also first time National Live Music Awards finalists.
Thelma Plum, hot off the heels of the ARIA nominations for her breakthrough debut album Better in Blak, enjoys four nominations for her and her band. They’re her first ever nominations in the awards, and sees her garner spots in the national Live Voice of the Year category presented by Panhead Custom Ales and the public voted categories Live Act of the Year in QLD presented by Brisbane City Council and Live Voice of the Year in QLD. Her live drummer Dan Williams has also been nominated for “The Sheddy”. It’s Dan’s first time being nominated for Live Drummer of the Year.
Other first time nominees include rising WA star Jamilla, who has two nominations, as does Brisbane artist Hatchie, who enjoys two national categories, Best Live Pop Act and International Achievement. G-Flip, who had a surprising absence from nominations last year, made up for lost time with three nominations this year, including Best New Act, “The Sheddy” (Live Drummer of the Year, named after the late, great Iain Shedden) and Pop Act. Best New Act presented by Jameson is also home to first time nominees Tones & I, The Chats and Press Club.
I Know Leopard (pictured),who we were lucky enough to have play at our 10th birthday party in Austin, Texas, earlier this year during SXSW, have finally been nominated for the NLMAs this year as well, with three nominations – Best Live Act in NSW, and musicianship nods for members Jen McCullogh and Rosie Fitzgerald.
It’s similarly surprising that PNAU have never been nominated before; though their live drummer Tim Commandeur has been nominated twice. Their first ever nod sits amongst an impressive array of artists in the DJ or Electronic Live Act category, which also includes first time nominees Hermitude, who have two nominations, and KLP, who hosted the NLMAs in its inaugural year, but has never been nominated herself.
You’ll also find an exciting array of new nominees across the three new categories for 2019: Best Live Classical Act, Best Live Jazz Act and Best Live Indie / Rock Act.
Looking again at the returning favourites, Carla Geneve has one upped her debut nominations in 2018, where she had three nominations – joining Thelma with four this year, being nominated for Best Live Voice and Act in WA, as well as Best New Act presented by Jameson, and Best Live Guitarist.
Rufus Du Sol are nominated twice, in International Achievement and Best Electronic Act, in what are their first nominations since 2016. The Sydney trio, now based in Los Angeles, recently sold out two shows at the iconic Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado; part of a massive tour in that part of the world. They’re truly becoming one of our biggest exports.
This barely scratches the surface of the massive list of nominees, which you can see in full below.
Those wondering how nominees are chosen for the awards, according to its website, 10 board members elect 100 industry judges around the country, who decide the final five nominations in each category – and then vote to decide the winner in the national categories. This year, for the first time ever, four awards in every State and Territory are public voted, with voting taking place until November 12th. More details on this can be found at nlmas.com.au/vote.
Winners are announced on 4th December 2019 across 8 events around the country – one in every state and territory – with many tickets free via registration through oztix. Tickets are also available to the general public for the Gala in Brisbane. Head to nlmas.oztix.com.au to grab your tickets, and to nlmas.com.au for more details.
YOUR 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
LIVE R&B OR SOUL ACT OF THE YEAR
Caiti Baker
Demon Days
Jamilla
Milan Ring
Mojo Juju
LIVE BLUES & ROOTS ACT OF THE YEAR
Little Georgia
Steve Smyth
Tash Sultana
The Cat Empire
The Teskey Brothers
LIVE POP ACT OF THE YEAR
Amy Shark
G-Flip
Hatchie
Jack River
Mallrat
LIVE COUNTRY ACT OF THE YEAR
Kasey Chambers
The Waifs
The Weeping Willows
The Wilds
The Wolfe Brothers
LIVE HARD ROCK ACT OF THE YEAR
DZ Deathrays
Glitoris
Hands Like Houses
Northlane
The Beautiful Monument
LIVE DJ OR ELECTRONIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Electric Fields
Hermitude
KLP
PNAU
Rufus Du Sol
LIVE HIP HOP ACT OF THE YEAR
Allday
Baker Boy
Genesis Owusu
Hilltop Hoods
Sampa The Great
LIVE CLASSICAL ACT OF THE YEAR
Deborah Cheetham
Ensemble Offspring
Genevieve Lacey
Pinchgut Opera
PLEXUS
LIVE JAZZ ACT OF THE YEAR
Johnathan Zwartz
Tamara Murphy
Stephen Magnusson
The Catholics
The Necks
LIVE INDIE / ROCK ACT OF THE YEAR
Angie McMahon
Cash Savage and the Last Drinks
East Brunswick All Girls Choir
Middle Kids
WAAX
INTERNATIONAL LIVE ACHIEVEMENT (GROUP)
Angus & Julia Stone
Gang of Youths
Oh Pep!
Rufus du Sol
The Teskey Brothers
INTERNATIONAL LIVE ACHIEVEMENT (SOLO)
Hatchie
Julia Jacklin
Meg Mac
Stella Donnelly
Tash Sultana
LIVE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Get to know some of their photographs HERE.
Britt Andrews
Ian Laidlaw
Jacinta Keefe
Michelle Grace Hunder
Megan Carew
BEST LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL OR EVENT
BIGSOUND
Dark Mofo
Groovin’ The Moo
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Woodford Folk Festival
THE NLMA – INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT
Leanne de Souza – Recognising her work for three years as head of the Association of Artist Managers, and 25+ years as an artist manager – one of the true champions of artists and managers in this country.
Joel Edmondson – Recognising his invaluable work for 4 years as head of Q Music.
Scott Hutchinson – Celebrating a genuine patron of live music, who through his work with Hutchinson Building, has made the Brisbane live music scene what it is.
Susan Heymann – The irreplaceable Managing Director of Chugg Entertainment, responsible for some of the biggest tours in Australia (to say the least).
Women of Music Production (WOMPP) – Recognising this Perth based organisation, who are fostering a true spirit of supportive collaboration for female, transgender and non-binary music makers to share, discuss and showcase music production.
LIVE INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Bree Tranter (Solo, The Middle East, Timberwolf, Matt Corby and more)
Jay Watson (Tame Impala)
Jen McCullogh (I Know Leopard)
Kat Mear (Cash Savage)
William Barton
THE SHEDDY – LIVE DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Dan Williams (Art vs Science, Philly Jays, Thelma Plum, Maddy Jane and more)
G-Flip
Jonathan Boulet (Party Dozen)
Lauren Hammel (High Tension, Tropical F*ck Storm)
Talya Valenti (Bolt Gun, Stella Donnelly)
LIVE GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
Axel Carrington (New Talk, Peppermint Showers)
Carla Geneve
Erica Dunn (Tropical F*ck Storm)
Stella Donnelly
Tommy Emmanuel
LIVE BASSIST OF THE YEAR
Hayley Manwaring (Moaning Lisa)
Jennifer Aslett (San Cisco, Stella Donnelly)
Jonathan Zwartz
Rosie Fitzgerald (I Know Leopard, Maddy Jane, Clea, Not a Boys Name)
Sara McPherson (New Talk, Trolley Boy, Ursula, Tanaya Harper)
BEST NEW ACT – PRESENTED BY JAMESON
Carla Geneve
G-Flip
Press Club
The Chats
Tones and I
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PANHEAD CUSTOM ALES
Julia Jacklin
Matt Corby
Stella Donnelly
Thelma Plum
Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields)
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY APRA AMCOS
Amyl and the Sniffers
Electric Fields
Mojo Juju
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
WAAX
** ACT Awards – Presented by BMA – Public Voting open at bmamag.com.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Endrey
Kirklandd
SAFIA
Sputnik Sweetheart
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Citizen Kay
Evan Buckley
Genesis Owusu
Lucy Sugerman
Vendulka
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Smith’s Alternative
UC Refectory
Transit Bar
The Polish Club
Sideway
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
Canbeurovision
Groovin’ The Moo
National Folk Festival
No Front Fences
Spilt Milk
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at Sideway on December 4th
** NSW Awards – Presented by The Music Network – Public Voting open at themusicnetwork.com.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Hermitude
I Know Leopard
Jack River
Montaigne
Totally Unicorn
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Alice Terry
imbi the girl
Megan Washington
Ruel
Thandi Phoenix
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Crowbar Sydney
Oxford Art Factory
Rad Bar
The Newsagency
Venue 505
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Dashville Skyline
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Splendour in the Grass
Yours & Owls
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at The Newsagency on December 4th
** QLD Awards – Public voting open at nlmas.com.au.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR – Presented by Brisbane City Council
Cub Sport
Sahara Beck
San Mei
Thelma Plum
WAAX
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Jack Carty
Katie Noonan
Monica Sottile (Sweater Curse)
Thelma Plum
Tia Gostelow
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Junk Bar
Sol Bar
The Tivoli
The Triffid
The Zoo
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
BIGSOUND
Caloundra Music Festival
CMC Rocks Queensland
Jungle Love Festival
Woodford
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at The Triffid on December 4th
** VIC Awards – Presented by SYN Media – Public Voting open at syn.org.au/NLMAs.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Ainslie Wills
Julia Jacklin
Marlon Williams
Mojo Juju
Ruby Gill
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Ali Barter
Didirri
Kian
Merpire
P-UniQue
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Howler
The Corner Hotel
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
The Toff in Town
The Tote
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
Changes Festival
Falls Festival
Meredith Music Festival
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Something Unlimited
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at The Tote on December 4th
** WA Awards – Presented by RTR FM – Public Voting open at nlmas.com.au.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Carla Geneve
Jack Davies & The Bush Chooks
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
The Wilds
Your Girl Pho
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Carla Geneve
Jacob Diamond
Jamilla
Noah Dillon
Stella Donnelly
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Fremantle Arts Centre
freo.social
Mojo’s
The Bird
The Sewing Room
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
Hidden Treasures Fremantle
In The Pines
Nannup Music Festival
SOTA Festival
WAMFest
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at Mojos on December 4th
** SA Awards – Presented by Three D Radio – Public Voting open now at threedradio.com.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR – Presented by City of Adelaide
Electric Fields
Oscar The Wild
Teenage Joans
TOWNS
West Thebarton
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Alana Jagt
Bec Stevens
Bree Tranter
Tom West
Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields)
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Crown & Anchor
The Grace Emily Hotel
Lion Arts Factory
The Gov
Thebarton Theatre
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
A Day of Clarity
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
The Porch Sessions
Umbrella Winter City Sounds Festival
WOMADelaide
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at Crown & Anchor on December 4th
** TAS Awards – Presented by Edge Radio – Public Voting open now at edgeradio.org.au.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
A Swayze and The Ghosts
Baba Bruja
Bianca Blackhall Group
Christopher Coleman & The Great Escape
EWAH and the Vision of Paradise
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Claire Anne Taylor
Frankie Andrew (Isla Ka)
Jed Appleton
Mary Shannon (Meres)
Seth Henderson
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Hobart Brewing Company
Republic Bar & Cafe
The Royal Oak Hotel
Altar
The Brisbane Hotel
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
A Festival Called PANAMA
Dark Mofo
Falls Festival
MONA FOMA
Party in the Paddock
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at The Royal Oak on December 4th
** NT Awards – Presented by Foldback Magazine – Public Voting open at foldback.com.au.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Baker Boy
Caiti Baker
Emily Wurramara
Mambali
Southeast Desert Metal
LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
Caiti Baker
Colin Lillie
Serina Pech
Stevie Jean
Yirrmal Marika
LIVE VENUE OF THE YEAR – Presented by oztix
Darwin Railway Club
Epilogue Rooftop, Alice Springs
Happy Yess, Darwin
Montes Lounge, Alice Springs
PINT Club, Marrara
LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR
Darwin Festival
Desert Song Festival
Parrtjima Festival
Summer Session
Territory Day at Mindil Beach
ALL AGES ACHIEVEMENT
To be announced at Epilogue Rooftop on December 4th
Get your tickets to the NLMAs over at nlmas.oztix.com.au, and more details are at nlmas.com.au.
