Meet the nominees for the 2024 MusicACT Music Awards

Posted on 5 November, 2024

Canberra’s celebration of local music is back for another year to commemorate and elevate the achievements of the ACT music industry.

Taking place at the repurposed warehouse-turned-music venue The Vault at Dairy Road on Tuesday 3 December, the MusicACT Music Awards (MAMAs) are once again amplifying the voices of our local music scene – and this year, it’s even bigger than ever.

With the addition of three brand new award categories, the 2024 MAMAs will recognise even more disciplines and areas of music, with Live Act of the Year, Event of the Year, and DJ of the Year added to the public-voted categories.

And with a long list of local superstars nominated for this year’s MAMAs, you’ll want to be passed the aux cord once you hear who made the cut.

ARCHIE, Department of Rock, Gang Gang Cafe owners Sam, Max, and Riley Conway, local festival Digi Culture and Music, and ANU School of Music alumni Sam Sly are among the diverse array of nominees, along with Sonic Reducer and DJ mia sørlie.

For Event of the Year, Church presents: THE BELCO BOWL JAM WELCOME PARTY, Department of Rock and Stonefest are some of the major music moments making waves in the awards. But that’s just the beginning.

According to Mitch Lamb of MusicACT, the awards are integral way to encourage emerging new music while celebrating the incredible contributions of both individual artists and music industry workers in the ACT.

“It’s been a pretty rough year for the music scene in Australia, but the MAMAs are a fantastic reminder to be thankful for the artists and industry people who are still making waves and keeping our culture alive,” he says.

“Music from the ACT is getting noticed both here and abroad, and the MAMAs are all about giving our local music industry the spotlight it deserves. It’s a chance for artists, industry folk, and fans to come together and connect.”

With nominations now open for public voting until Friday 15 November, it’s time to meet the nominees.

Artist of the Year

• ARCHIE
• Apricot Ink
• Jett Blyton
• st.sinner
• Sonic Reducer

Live Act of the Year

• ARCHIE
• Gia Ransome
• Micah Heathwood
• st.sinner
• Sonic Reducer

DJ of the Year

• Biscuit Bytes
• genie
• mia sørlie
• tsotsi
• Sweethard
• Zach knows

Best Release of the Year

• Flik – Stormchaser
• Jett Blyton – 44:44
• HYG – Tunnel Vision
• Micah Heathwood – Bottle
• Sam Sly – Be With You
• Steve Read – Close to Me

Independent Debut Record of the Year

• Ava Martina – Admit it to Myself
• Born 2 Lose – Firing Squad
• Anna Ransom – Tides EP
• Emilia Grace – Heartbreak Hotel
• Grim Till & JEP – Cosmic Odyssey
• SAMATAR – ANTIHERO EP

Event of the Year

• Church presents: THE BELCO BOWL JAM WELCOME PARTY
• Department of Rock
• DIGI™ CULTURE & MUSIC 2024
• Itsjustus
• Stonefest
• sideway – THE FINAL SHOW + CLOSING PARTY

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
• Sophie Edwards

Want to go along on the night to show your support? With tickets on sale now, you’ll want to get in quickly – because from amazing performances to a fresh feel in one of Canberra’s coolest venues, it’s a fun-filled way to support the contributions to the ACT’s vibrant music community.

Find out more about the nominees here and for more information about the MAMAs visit musicact.com.au.

Feature image: Apricot Ink. Credit: Jenny Wu.