Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards

5 September 2023 | 3:00 pm | Mary Varvaris

"The awards are here to honour all those amazing artists, bands and individuals who have made your live music industry one of the best in the world."

National Live Music Awards gala

National Live Music Awards gala (Credit: Peter McGhie)

More King Stingray More King Stingray

Following a two-year break, the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are returning to numerous locations across the country on Wednesday, 11 October.

Today, at BIGSOUND, the NLMAs shares its expansive list of nominees for this year's award ceremony, with King Stingray and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard leading the nominations, each holding six nods. On five nominations is Electric Fields, four apiece for Genesis Owusu and ACT punks Glitoris, while Amyl & The Sniffers, RVG, Ngaiire, St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Cash Savage And The Last Drinks, and Camp Cope are all nominated for three awards.

Elsewhere, Baker Boy, Big hART & Songs for Freedom, Prinnie Stevens, G-Flip, and Josh Pyke have received a nomination for the all-important Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) award.

This morning, the National Live Music Awards revealed its recipients of the Live Legends program: Yothu Yindi and Frontier Touring’s Susan Heymann.

Voting in the public categories – Best Live Act, Voice, Event, and Venue is now open via the NLMAs website.

“What a welcome sight it is to see the host of nominees for this year’s National Live Music Awards,” NLMA Founding Board Member Damian Cunningham said in a press release. “The awards are here to honour all those amazing artists, bands and individuals who have made your live music industry one of the best in the world.

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“We look forward to welcoming nominees, industry and the public to our events around the country in October to find out who wins.”

Only 50 free tickets are available to attend the intimate NLMA events across the country (you can buy tickets here), with more tickets made available once people vote in the public categories. Tickets are available now until 19 September, with each vote going in the draw to win tickets.

The Darwin Railway Club, Adelaide’s Jive, Melbourne’s Music Market, Hobart’s Simple Complex, Brisbane’s Stranded, Northbridge’s The Bird, Sydney’s The Great Club, and Canberra’s UC Hub are the sites for the National Live Music Awards events.

Check out all the nominees below.

NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES - 2023

2023 Live Legend Inductees

Yothu Yindi

Susan Heymann

National Awards

MMAD - Musicians Making a Difference Award

Presented by MMAD

Baker Boy

For his work in celebrating the Yolngu language through music and connecting First Nations young people in remote communities to their potential.

Big hART & Songs for Freedom

For their advocacy work in raising awareness of the disproportionate incarceration rates of Aboriginal children in Australian prisons through their national touring production.

Prinnie Stevens

For celebrating the historic power of the female voice and the transformation of pain into music through her album and stage show, ‘Lady Sings The Blues’

G-Flip

For their advocacy work in encouraging conversation about gender identity.

Josh Pyke

For championing indigenous languages through music in primary schools while raising funds through Busking for Change.

Best Live Act

Amyl and the Sniffers

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Electric Fields

King Stingray

Genesis Owusu

Best Live Voice

Cash Savage

Ngaiire

Romy Vager (RVG)

Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (King Stingray)

Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields)

Best Live Guitarist

Andrew Glitoris (Glitoris)

Chloe Dadd (May-a, Peach PRC, Solo)

Joey Walker (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard)

Roy Kellaway (King Stingray)

Sophie McComish (Body Type)

Best Live Bassist

Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich (Camp Cope)

Lucas Harwood (King Gizzard)

Nick Finch (Cash Savage)

Steele Chabau (Butterfingers, James Johnston, Katie Noonan and more…)

Zoe Hauptmann

Best Live Drummer - The Sheddy

Sarah Thompson (Camp Cope)

Michael Cavanagh (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard)

Lewis Stiles (King Stingray)

G-Flip

Dobby

Best Live Instrumentalist

Kirsty Tickle (Party Dozen)

Laura Jean

Lyndon Blue

Monique Clare

William Barton

Best Live Photographer

Presented by beehive

Jess Gleeson

Jordan Munns

Ruby Boland
Samuel Graves

Tashi Hall

Best Live Journalist

Ellie Robinson

Mikey Cahill

Sosefina Fuamoli

Will Oakeshott

Zara Richards

Best Live Event

Presented by The Music

Byron Bay Bluesfest

Dark Mofo

Meredith Music Festival

St Jerome's Laneway Festival

Tamworth Country Music Festival

Best Stage & Light Design

Presented by Novatech

Gang of Youths - Emile Frederick

Genesis Owusu - Alex McCoy and Pat Babekuhl

Rüfüs Du Sol - Matthew Smith and Alex ‘Katzki’ George

Tame Impala - Rob Sinclair

Vera Blue - Nathan Dagostino, Nicholas Beachen and Rachael Johnston

Best International Tour

Presented by Live Event Logistics

Angel Olsen - Big Time Tour 2023 - Supersonic

Ed Sheeran - + - = ÷ x Tour - Frontier Touring

Harry Styles - Love on Tour - Live Nation

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - Australian Carnage Tour - Supersonic

Sleaford Mods - AUS Tour 2023 - Handsome Tours

Genre Awards

Best Indie/Rock/Alternative Act

Ball Park Music

Cash Savage and the Last Drinks 

DMA's

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

RVG

Best Hip Hop Act

1300

Baker Boy

Barkaa

Genesis Owusu

Tkay Maidza

Best DJ/Electronic Act

Elle Shimada

Lastlings

Rüfüs Du Sol

SLUMBERJACK

Tijuana Cartel

Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Act

Presented by HEAVY

C.O.F.F.I.N

Glitoris

Polaris

Rocky’s Pride & Joy 

Voyager 

Best Pop Act

Amy Shark

Electric Fields

Peach PRC

Thelma Plum

Vera Blue

Best Punk/Hardcore Act

Presented by HEAVY

Amyl and the Sniffers

Cable Ties

Pinch Points

Private Function 

Sly Withers

Best Folk Act

Ben Salter

Charm of Finches

Emily Wurramurra 

Melody Pool

Naomi Keyte 

Best Blues & Roots Act

Fools 

Hussy Hicks 

Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide 

Sweet Talk

The Teskey Brothers

Best Country Act

Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys 

Hana and Jessie-Lee's Bad Habits

Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes

Siobhan Cotchin

The Weeping Willows 

Best R&B or Soul Act

Budjerah 

Emma Donovan and the Putbacks

Mo'Ju

Ngaiire

THNDO

Best Classical Act

Australian String Quartet

Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ) feat. Katie Noonan, Fiona Campbell, Andrew Goodwin and Andrew O'Connor 

Ensemble Offspring

Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Best Jazz Act

Cigany Weaver 

Grievous Bodily Calm 

Hiatus Kaiyote

Mildlife

Shaolin Afronauts

State and Territory Awards

A local NLMA: Industry Achievement Award winner will be revealed at each event on the night. 

NSW - Presented by 2SER

Best Live Act in NSW

Presented by 2SER

1300

Body Type

DMA's

Dust

Ngaiire

Best Live Voice in NSW

Andy Golledge

Budjerah

Georgia Mulligan

Milan Ring

Vera Blue

Best Live Venue in NSW

Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour

Oxford Art Factory

Phoenix Central Park

The Enmore Theatre

The Great Club

Best Live Event in NSW

Presented by Oztix 

Dashville Skyline

Groovin' The Moo

Mardi Gras Fair Day

Summer Camp Festival

Yours & Owls Festival

VIC - Presented by SYN

Best Live Act in VIC

Presented by SYN

Amyl and the Sniffers

BIG WETT

Emma Donovan and the Putbacks

Floodlights

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Best Live Voice in VIC

Presented by Music Victoria

Emma Donovan

Georgia Maq (Camp Cope)

Julia Jacklin

Sampa The Great

THNDO

Best Live Venue in VIC

Brunswick Ballroom

Forum Melbourne

Northcote Social Club

Shotkickers

The Night Cat

Best Live Event in VIC

Presented by Oztix

Golden Plains

St Jerome's Laneway Festival

Meadow

Meredith Music Festival

Rising Festival

QLD - Presented by 4ZZZ

Best Live Act in QLD

Presented by 4ZZZ

Ball Park Music

Cigany Weaver

Full Flower Moon Band

Jaguar Jonze

WAAX

Best Live Voice in QLD

Asha Jefferies

Deena Lynch (Jaguar Jonze)

Jesswar

Katie Noonan

Marie DeVita (WAAX)

Best Live Venue in QLD

Presented by Red Octopus

Fortitude Music Hall
The Brightside

The Princess Theatre

The Tivoli

The Triffid

Best Live Event in QLD

Presented by Oztix

BIGSOUND

Caloundra Music Festival

Groovin' The Moo

St Jerome's Laneway Festival

Woodford Folk Festival

ACT - Presented by BMA

Best Live Act in the ACT

Presented by BMA

Apricot Ink

ARCHIE

dogworld

Genesis Owusu

Glitoris

Best Live Voice in the ACT

Cormac McKahey (Sonic Reducer)

Keven 007 (Glitoris)

Kim Yang

Lucy Sugerman

Tasha Nauenburg (Bad Lunar)

Best Venue in the ACT

Gang Gang Cafe

Sideway

Smith's Alternative

The Basement

UCLivex - UC Refectory & UC Hub

Best Live Event in the ACT

Presented by Oztix

CBR GRRRLS To The Front

Loading Zone - Sideway

National Folk Festival

Spilt Milk

Stonefest

NT

Best Live Act in the NT

Caiti Baker

Katanga Junior

King Stingray

Ngulmiya

Southeast Desert Metal Band

Best Live Voice in the NT

Aidan Lijanga (Katanga Junior)

Alice Cotton

Caiti Baker

Ngulmiya Nundhirribala

Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (King Stingray)

Best Live Venue in the NT

Black Wreath 

Darwin Railway Club

Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar

Happy Yess

The Darwin Ski Club

Best Live Event in the NT

Presented by Oztix

Barunga Festival

BASSINTHEGRASS

Blacken Festival

Darwin Festival

Garma Festival

SA - Presented by Three D Radio

Best Live Act in SA

Presented by City of Adelaide

Electric Fields

Slowmango

Teenage Joans

The Empty Threats

West Thebarton

Best Live Voice in SA

Presented by Three D Radio

Alana Jagt

Carla Lippis

Naomi Keyte

Stellie

Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields)

Best Live Venue in SA

Jive

Lion Arts Factory

The Gov

The Wheatsheaf Hotel

UniBar Adelaide

Best Live Event in SA

Presented by Oztix

Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival

Adelaide Jazz Festival

Harvest Rock

PAK Music Live at Wundenbergs

WOMADelaide

TAS - Presented by Edge Radio 99.3FM

Best Live Act in TAS

Presented by City of Hobart

Grace Chia

Lennon Wells

Luca Brasi

The Native Cats

Threats

Live Voice in TAS

Presented by Simple

Ben Salter

Christopher Coleman

Claire Anne Taylor

Emily Warramurra

Tasha Zappala

Best Live Venue in TAS

Presented by Edge Radio

Altar

Royal Oak Hotel

Simple Complex

The Grand Poobah

The Odeon Theatre

Best Live Event in TAS

Presented by Oztix

Cygnet Folk Festival

Dark Mofo

Mona Foma

Pangaea - a festival of the arts, culture & sustainability

Party in the Paddock

WA - Presented by RTR FM

Best Live Act in WA

Presented by RTR FM

Alter Boy

Dulcie

Spacey Jane

Tame Impala

The Kill Devil Hills

Best Live Voice in WA

Anesu

Brendon Humphries (The Kill Devil Hills)

Carla Geneve

Noah Dillon

Siobhan Cotchin

Best Live Venue in WA

Badlands

Freo.Social

Mojos Bar

The Bird

The Rosemount

Best Live Event in WA

Presented by Oztix

Hidden Treasures - Fremantle's Music Series

Hyper Festival

Nannup Music Festival

RTRFM's In The Pines

WAMFest