BIG WINNER OF THE NIGHT NGAIIRE, TAKES HOME AN IMPRESSIVE THREE AWARDS, INCLUDING LIVE VOICE OF THE YEAR
VIOLENT SOHO WIN TWO AWARDS ON THE NIGHT, RECOGNISED FOR HARD ROCK LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR & BEST LIVE ACT IN QLD
GANG OF YOUTHS TAKE OUT BEST LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR FOR NSW
SOUNDS AUSTRALIA WIN THE NLMA INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DARK MOFO WINS BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT IN AUSTRALIA & TASMANIA WHILST LANEWAY REPRESENTS BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR WA & VIC
Earlier tonight, Australia’s diverse and successful live music industry was celebrated in fine form with 8 events taking place simultaneously around Australia for the inaugural National Live Music Awards (NLMAs).
2016 was truly an amazing year for Australian music, and this was certainly manifested by the talented and gifted winners, nominees. Then add some 30 live performances country-wide from artists such as Scalphunter and Dream Rimmy in WA, L-Fresh The Lion and Totally Unicorn in Sydney, At The Dakota and Tapestry in Darwin, BANFF and Clea in Brisbane and exciting presenters and hosts from KLP in Sydney to Jeremy Neale in Brisbane.
A poignant moment also came in Brisbane, where members of The John Steel Singers and Major Leagues came together to pay tribute to their friend, Fergus Milller of Bored Nothing, who tragically passed away last month. They performed three of Fergus’ songs, “Ice cream dreams”, “Baby, you win” and “Shit For Brains”.
Congratulations are certainly in order for one of Australia’s most dynamic vocalists and performers Ngaiire, who took home an impressive haul of three crystal trophies. Winning two National Awards for R&B or Soul Live Act of the Year and Live Voice of the Year, and the NSW State Award for Live Voice of the Year. Coming close behind were Brisbane rockers Violent Soho who were awarded Hard Rock Live Act of the Year and QLD State Award for Live Act of the Year.
The Heatseeker Award, which recognizes the artists who have exploded into the live music scene over the last 12 months, went to Melbourne trio Camp Cope, who have taken Australia, and the industry by storm.
Industry achievement didn’t go without reward, with the eponymous NLMA going to Sounds Australia for their outstanding contribution to the live music scene in Australia. The award was presented by Larry Heath, director of the National Live Music Awards, to Esti Zilber of the organisation, which helps artists break international markets with showcasing and networking opportunities around the world. The award comes not long after Sounds Australia had their funding reinstated by the Federal Government, following the #saveoursounds social movement.
The public has also voted, and taking home the People’s Choice Award for Live Act of the Year went to Aussie favourite Ball Park Music, and taking home Live Voice of the Year is no other than esteemed singer/songwriter Josh Pyke.
Award director, Larry Heath said: “A week of celebration and recognition of Australia’s incredible music talent that is ARIA week, we were honoured and humbled to be have live music as part of the conversation in a way never before seen in this country.”
“Artists like Ngaiire are the beating heart of the contemporary live music scene in Australia and to be able to recognise her for that, alongside dozens of other winners around the country, is what these awards were designed for. I look forward to seeing the event evolve and develop in the years to come and continuing to spread our love for live music around the country, solidifying our place both locally and internationally one of the healthiest live music scenes in the world.”
The awards took place across 8 venues all around Australia, encompassing and representing every State and Territory, making the National Live Music Awards an industry first.
With the Sydney Gala sitting as part of ARIA Week, the NLMA’s filled a gap in Australia, which did not currently have an award dedicated to the live performance industry, a side of the industry that definitely deserves the focus. From the best vocal talents and musicians, the best venues, tours, festivals and industry professions, the NLMA’s are thrilled to have congratulated the talented and diverse winners that make up our live music scene!
The National Live Music Awards would like to once again congratulate all of tonight’s winners and nominees, who make Australia’s live music scene so exciting and successful.
Moshtix have presented a $20,000 Moshtix Marketing Package to the winners of Best Venue in each state. For the full list of National and State winners see below:
NATIONAL AWARDS WINNERS
Live Act of the Year – The Smith Street Band
The Heatseeker Award – Camp Cope
Live Voice of the Year – Ngaiire
Guitarist of the Year – Gareth Liddiard
Bassist of the Year – Donny Benet
Drummer of the Year – Simon Ridley
Instrumentalist of the Year – Johann Beardraven
Best Live Music Event in Australia – Dark Mofo
International Live Achievement (Solo) – Courtney Barnett
International Live Achievement (Group/Band) – Tame Impala
Hip Hop Live Act of the Year – Tkay Maidza
DJ or Electronic Live Act of the Year – Flume
Hard Rock or Metal Live Act of the Year – Violent Soho
Roots Live Act of the Year – Tash Sultana
R&B or Soul Live Act of the Year – Ngaiire
The NLMA (Industry Achievement) – Sounds Australia
People’s Choice Awards
Live Act of the Year – Ball Park Music
Live Voice of the Year – Josh Pyke
STATE & TERRITORY AWARDS
NSW
Live Act of the Year – Gang of Youths
Live Voice of the Year – Ngaiire
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Newtown Social Club
Live Music Event of the Year – King Street Crawl
The AAA (All Ages Achievement) Award
Presented by MusicNSW – Black Wire Records
VIC
Live Act of the Year – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Live Voice of the Year – Paul Dempsey
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Corner Hotel
Live Music Event of the Year – St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival
QLD
Live Act of the Year – Violent Soho
Live Voice of the Year – MKO
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Triffid
Live Music Event of the Year – BIGSOUND
SA
Live Act of the Year – Bad//Dreems
Live Voice of the Year – Naomi Keyte
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Grace Emily
Live Music Event of the Year – WOMAdelaide
WA
Live Act of the Year – Methyl Ethel
Live Voice of the Year – Keira Owen
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Mojo’s Bar
Live Music Event of the Year – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
TAS
Live Act of the Year – Luca Brasi
Live Voice of the Year – Jed Appleton
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Republic Bar
Live Music Event of the Year – Dark Mofo
ACT
Live Act of the Year – Glitoris
Live Voice of the Year – Citizen Kay
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Phoenix
Live Music Event of the Year – Groovin The Moo
NT
Live Act of the Year – Apakatjah / Tapestry (TIE)
Live Voice of the Year – Colin Lillie
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Epilogue Rooftop
Live Music Event of the Year – Wide Open Space Festival
Pictured: Rag n’ Bone vocalist Keira Owen takes home the WA Best Voice award. Photo by Sarah Green.
