Hermitude Make The Amp’s Final Nine

Sydney production and beat duo Hermitude have become the first band added to the nine album short-list for next year's The Coopers Amp, the $30,000 prize for Australian albums.

The act's critically acclaimed fourth album, HyperParadise, was long-listed in October as part of the first round of eligible acts. Today they've also been announced as the first band on the bill for the prize's new live event, which will take place at Federation Square in Melbourne – Amp Alive.

Today Hermitude said, “We're totally stoked as a predominantly instrumental duo to be short listed for The Amp!”

With more acts to be announced on the short-list and for the free and outdoor event in the new year, it will be hosted by Clare Bowditch and Kevin Mitchell. It will take place Friday 1 February at 6pm.

There have been a number of changes to the prize this year, the organisers dropped the entry price and then asked industry and fans to submit albums for consideration. After 230 records were identified, two rounds of eligible albums were selected for the long-list. The first 26 records were announced October, with the second round of 21 albums in November.