Paul Kelly, Kylie Minogue & More Score 2019 Helpmann Award Nominations

Australian icons Paul Kelly, Kylie Minogue and more have made this year’s Helpmann Award nominations list.

Celebrating the county’s live performance industry, the 19th annual ceremony will take place at Arts Centre Melbourne on 14 & 15 July, with nominees across 42 categories unveiled, highlighting just how vibrant the industry is.

Kelly and Minogue are both vying for Best Australian Contemporary Concert, alongside Tim Minchin and the RPM vs Bad Apples tour, as Celine Dion, Christine & The Queens, David Bryne and The Killers face off for Best International Contemporary Concert.

The Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl is up for Best New Australian Work for Spinifex Gum, as are Ursula Yovich & Alana Valentine with their powerful Barbara & The Camp Dogs production, which is also up for Best Musical, Best Female Actor In A Musical, Best Female Actor In A Supporting Role In A Musical and Best Original Score, the latter of which Kate Miller-Heidke & Keir Nuttall's Twelfth Night also scores a nod in.

On the comedy side of things, Anne Edmonds, Cassie Workman, Damien Power, Hannah Gadsby, James Acaster and Rhys Nicholson have been nominated, while, over on the festival side of things, CMC Rocks, MONA FOMA, VIVID Live and WOMADelaide are up for Best Contemporary Music Festival and Dark Mofo has been named Best Special Event.

Not surprisingly, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child has appeared across eight categories, while Muriel's Wedding The Musical and Book Of Mormon pick up two awards each.

“It has been a remarkable year for live performance in Australia and this year’s Nominees reflect the breadth and vibrancy of the sector,” Victoria Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said. “I congratulate all the 2019 Helpmann Awards Nominees and wish them the best of luck.”

Live Performance Australia Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson added: “We are delighted to be presenting the 42 Helpmann Awards over two nights for the very first time in Melbourne. Over the past eighteen years, the Helpmann Awards have had 12,000 entries and announced over 2,900 Nominees which highlight the artistry and excellence in Australia’s dynamic live performance industry which is enjoyed by over 18 million people each year.”

Miller-Heidke, Nuttall, Kelly and more will appear as guest presenters during the ceremony, while Kev Carmody, Electric Fields and more will perform.

Head to the Helpmann Awards website for all the details.