The Australian music industry was built on live music, on the bands that slogged it out in pubs with sticky floors night after night. Today too many live music venues seem to close their doors, yet the cream of Australian talent continues to find stages and bring their music to the people. The efforts of these tireless musicians and the venues, events, and industry members who support them will be recognised with National Live Music Awards events throughout the country next month.
The nominees are in, with Gang of Youths leading the charge with six nods across national and state categories including Live Act of the Year and Live Voice of the Year (for frontman David Le’aupepe). Julia Jacklin, Camp Cope, and Amy Shark are nipping at their heels with five nominations a piece, while All Our Exes Live in Texas, Stella Donnelly, and St Jerome’s Laneway Festival have all garnered four nominations.
“Over the last couple of months, our group of almost 100 judges have been tasked with crafting a list of nominees who are as diverse as they are eclectic,” National Live Music Awards director Larry Heath declared. “While I’m sure some will debate the absent nominees who were just as deserving, I don’t think the judges could have done a better job at creating a more exciting, nor a more deserving and representative list of nominees. These are the artists, venues, events and industry professionals who make Australia one of the live music capitals of the world.”
Unlike so many awards, the National Live Music Awards aren’t about the critics. They’re about the ordinary Aussies who support our live scene every weekend when they walk through the doors of venues throughout the country. So it’s only fitting that the award ceremonies are, by and large, open to the public. With the exception of the invite-only gala in Melbourne, National Live Music Awards events are free for music fans to attend. Also unlike so many “national events,” no state or territory is forgotten. National Live Music Awards events will happen at the following venues on December 7.
Melbourne, VIC: Grace Darling
Sydney, NSW: Leadbelly
Brisbane, QLD: Lefty’s
Fremantle, WA: Mojos
Adelaide, SA: Grace Emily
Launceston, TAS: Club 54
Alice Springs, NT: Epilogue Rooftop
Canberra, ACT: Smith’s Alternative
You can RSVP to the event via National Live Music Awards’ official ticketing partner Oztix. Entertainment for each venue is under wraps, but considering the calibre of artists nominated you can expect some top talent at all these events. If you miss out on the Oztix allocation, don’t worry. A limited number of tickets will be available on the night in exchange for a $5 donation to Support Act, a charity supporting the mental health of Australian musicians. $5 from the sale of every ticket to the Melbourne gala will also go to Support Act. A great night for a great cause; what’s not to love?
Image source: Krists Luhaers @ Flickr