Northern Territory Music Awards Winners Crowned At Alice Springs Ceremony

The Northern Territory Music Awards went off with a bang last night (30 June), for the first time being hosted to a sold-out Mparntwe ceremony at Alice Springs airport.

130 music industry professionals and fans watched on as electronic and pop music act Casii Williams, rockers Wildfire Manwurrk, J-MILLA, and more took home big awards.

Mparntwe icon Laurie May led the proceedings, with the best in Northern Territory songwriting, music venues, festival, technical support and photography celebrated during the packed-out event. And, of course, what’s an award night without live music?

The Northern Territory Music Awards audience was moved by live performances from Central Australian songbird, Casii Williams, and Darwin-based Kuya James collaborating with Emcille and Stellar Sea. You can find all the winners below.

“The winner's list reflects what is amazing about Territory music with established and new artists sharing the limelight and the night itself being a celebration of what makes the NT music scene one of the most important and exciting scenes in the country,” MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith stated.

Winning the prestigious Tourism NT Territory Song Of The Year award was Yirrmal Marika with Dhaliwuy Bay. The Song Of The Year award was given in partnership between MusicNT and Tourism NT – the winner receives life-changing support of up to $10,000 to create a music video for their track.

The 2023 Northern Territory Music Awards winners:

YOUTH
 Nicest ft Thir13een (J-MILLA) -  Jacob Nichaloff, James Essex
FOLK SONG
 Slow Down  (Caiti Baker) -   Caiti Baker, Ben Edgar, James Mangohig, Bevis Mason-Leach, Camake Valaule.
HIP HOP
 Nicest ft Thir13een (J-MILLA) -   Jacob Nichaloff, James Essex
POP
 Lonely (Casii Williams) - Casii Williams. David Crowe
ROCK
 Lonely Bangardi (Wildfire Manwurrk) - Sires Rostron
ELECTRONIC/DANCE
 High (Casii Williams)- Casii Williams, Dave Crowe
HEAVY
 Death Curse (We Burn Bridges)- Manolis Kamitsis, Jack Ryan, Brandon Mardius, Luke Kohler, Alisdair Mahoney
BLUES AND ROOTS
 Dhaliwuy Bay (Yirrmal) - Yirrmal Marika
COUNTRY
 Closer (Kim Koole ft Kat Koole)- Kimberly Hannah Koole

REGIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
 Desert Harmony Festival 

METRO FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
 Seabreeze Festival

ALL GOOD PROJECT AWARD
 8CCC

NT VENUE OF THE YEAR
 Darwin Railway Club

TECH OF THE YEAR
 Malcolm McDonald

HOTSHOTS PORTRAIT AWARD
 NGULMIYA MIGIDAWUM - Anthony Gray

HOTSHOTS LIVE AWARD
Kiss This - Oliver Eclipse

Wildfire Manwurrk’s debut EP, The Next Future, was recorded in just three days. Engineered by James Boundy (Dune Rats) and co-produced by Wildfire Manwurrk, Matt Smith (Thirsty Merc) and their band manager Kodjdjan Natalie Carey (Valentina Brave), it was the band's first time in a recording studio and a testament to how ready they are to bring their music to the world. 

“It was my sons' first time out of the Northern Territory. I was really proud to see my sons in new country,” the band's Victor Rostron said. “They were nervous but really excited to see different places.” You can read The Music’s interview with Rostron here.