The MusicACT Music Awards celebrate and elevate the achievements of the ACT music industry. The nomination and award voting process set out to be a grass-roots music industry recognition.
The MAMAs acknowledge the ACT’s uniquely independent and highly collaborative music scene, the importance of encouraging emerging new music and celebrating the incredible contributions of individual artists and music industry workers who drive the ACT’s contemporary music industry.
NOMINEES 2024
Best Release of the Year
Flik -Stormchaser (WINNER)
Jett Blyton - 44:44
HYG - Tunnel Vision
Micah Heathwood - Bottle
Sam Sly - Be With You
Steve Read - Close to Me
Event of the Year
Church presents: THE BELCO BOWL JAM WELCOME PARTY
Itsjustus
sideway - THE FINAL SHOW + CLOSING PARTY (WINNER)
Live Act of the Year
ARCHIE
Gia Ransome
Micah Heathwood
st.sinner
Sonic Reducer (WINNER)
Independent Debut Record of the Year
Sponsored by Landspeed Records
Ava Martina - Admit it to Myself
Anna Ransom - Tides EP (WINNER)
Born 2 Lose - Firing Squad
Emilia Grace - Heartbreak Hotel
Grim Tilla & JEP - Cosmic Odyssey
SAMATAR - ANTIHERO EP
Industry Legend of the Year
Ben Amando - Decibel Creative
Bevan Noble - Smiths Alternative
Grim Tilla
Joel Cabban - The Baso, CBR Noise Floor
Sam, Max and Riley Conway - Gang Gang Cafe (WINNER)
Sophie Edwards
Listen here.
Songs from the nominees in the 2024 MAMAs.
Voting and nominations for the 2024 MAMAs are now closed. See you on Tuesday December 3rd at The Vault.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Artist of the Year
Artist of the Year recognises an ACT-based artist that has achieved significant success in the past year. Quality of creative work, touring/live-show achievements and other industry achievements to be considered as well as contribution to the wider ACT music industry.
Best Release of the Year
Best Release of the Year is awarded to an ACT-based artist who released an outstanding recording in the past year (during the eligibility period).
Independent Debut Record of the Year
Independent Debut of the Year is awarded to an emerging artist who released their debut recording or EP/album in the eligibility period; established to recognise the astounding quality of debut recording releases that occur every year throughout the Canberra region.
Industry Legend of the Year
The Industry Legend of the Year award has been established to recognise the significant contribution of an ACT-based industry worker to the development, diversity, and growth of the ACT Music Industry in the past year.
DJ of the Year
DJ of the Year honours the ACT’s strong electronic scene, and is awarded to an outstanding DJ act that is based in the ACT as voted on by the community.
Live Act of the Year
Live Act of the Year is awarded to celebrate an outstanding ACT-based act who has performed outstanding shows and achieved success in the live music space.
Event of the Year
Event of the Year is awarded to celebrate the myriad of incredible music events and festivals held in the ACT, spanning a diverse range of genres. The event must have taken place within the ACT in the eligibility period and have a primary music focus.
MusicACT Hall of Fame Awards
MusicACT Hall of Fame inductees are determined by the MusicACT Committee. These inductees are ACT-based artists or industry workers who have made a significant and continued contribution to the culture and environment of the ACT music industry.
All nominees must be ACT-based. Eligible songs and events must have been released/occurred during the eligibility period; between 1 November 2023 and 17 October 2024 when nominations close.
Artist of the Year, Best Release of the Year and Independent Debut of the Year will be determined by an independent judging panel, and all remaining categories will be public-voted with the exception of MusicACT’s Hall of Fame inductions.
The MusicACT Music Awards 2023
Artist of the Year
Apricot Ink
ARCHIE
Fred Smith
Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide
Sesame Girl
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers (WINNER)
Independent Debut of the Year
Gia Ransome - Boots
Jett Blyton - JUN3
Jason Myles - Freaking Out Loud
Sonic Reducer - ONE OF THE LADS
The Decideds - So Long
Tivien - EGO
Wallabindi - Wallabindi Dreaming (WINNER)
Best Release of the Year
Apricot Ink - Summa Glo
ARCHIE - Lowtide (WINNER)
Artist Running Club - Japan
Lara Buchanan - You Know I Like Red
SAFIA - A Lover’s Guide to a Lucid Dream
st.sinner - HEADCASE
Industry Legend of the Year
Gutwrench Records
Joel Cabban (The Noisefloor, The Basement)
Meg Houghton (WINNER)
Nuance Media
Tim Brown (sideway)
The MusicACT Music Awards 2022
2022 Independent Debut of the Year
WINNER: MUESLI - Hello Out There
Rental Snake - Snake Down
Raggard Blossom - In My Mess
Micah Heathwood - Club Oof
Bad Lunar - See Ya Never
2022 Artist of the Year
WINNER: Genesis Owusu
ARCHIE
Jack Biilmann
Kim Yang
Box Dye
St.Sinner
2022 Industry Legend of the Year
WINNER: Sarah O'Malley
Nigel McRae & Beth Tully
Louis Montgomery
Jannah Fahiz
Mitch Lamb