Dates And Cities Locked In For 2023 National Live Music Awards

From 2016 to 2020, the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) reigned as one of the most special nights of the year, honouring all the legends that makes Australian music as infectious and fun as it is – everyone involved in bringing live music to stages around the country. And now, the team behind the awards have confirmed its hotly awaited return: the NLMAs are back and bigger than ever in 2023.

As confirmed by the NLMAs this morning (June 27), the sixth annual ceremony will be held on Wednesday October 11, just four days before the first-ever South By Southwest (SXSW) in Eora/Sydney kicks off. Events will be held simultaneously across eight cities, with Eora being joined on the itinerary by Naarm/Melbourne, Meanjin/Brisbane, Kaurna/Adelaide, nipaluna/Hobart, Ngambri/Canberra, Garramilla/Darwin and Boorloo/Perth. 

At the time of writing, we’re not quite sure where the events themselves will be held, or who we can expect to see hit the red carpet. But that won’t be the case for too much longer: all venues and nominees will be announced at this year’s BIGSOUND conference in Meanjin on Tuesday September 5. 

The NLMAs are still accepting applications for nominees, too: artists, venue and event operators, photographers, journalists, lighting and staging teams – virtually everyone in the Australian live music industry – are encouraged to put themselves in the running by this Friday (June 30th), when applications are formally closed. You can find more info on how the nomination process works (and fill the form itself out) here.

In a press statement, Sian Walden (a South Australia-based artist manager and NLMAs board member) expressed a keen excitement for the awards’ return: “Having seen first hand the joy that shows returning has brought artists and fans alike,” she said, “I’m excited to see the National Live Music Awards are back after a necessary pause.

“The industry has been navigating the new complexities that COVID has created, which have been challenging beyond what we could have ever imagined. But with that challenge came a reminder of the community spirit within our sector. I look forward to celebrating that community and all the wonderful people that make live music possible at the 2023 NLMAs.”

Walden is joined on the board by ACT musician and MusicACT staffer Lucy Ahn, who takes over from former ACT-based board member Ruth O’Brien. In addition to her role as a program coordinator at MusicACT, Ahn works as a live music event coordinator and artist liaison at UCLivex. 

NLMAs founder Larry Heath said of her significance on the board: “We're thrilled to welcome Lucy to our advisory board. She will provide an important voice in ensuring our ACT events continue to well represent the Territory. And with past winners from the region like Genesis Owusu and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers going on to do incredible things nationally and internationally, we look forward to continuing to recognise the incredible talent that comes from the ACT as we celebrate the best live music in Australia."