National Live Music Awards

Thursday 6 December 2018 – The Triffid

The 3rd annual instalment of the National Live Music Awards (the NMLA’s) took place at the Triffid on December 6, 2018. A celebration of all live music in Australia, by Australian bands and in support of a great Australian initiative, Support Act.

Australia has a lot to be proud of in the live music department, my hometown, Brisbane has a vibrant live music scene that keeps me busy as a photographer and blogger. Melbourne has always had a massive live music culture and represents a significant chunk of the live music nominated at the NMLA’s. Sydney is gaining some ground and Perth and Adelaide have their own smaller but significant scenes.

The awards were divided into state and national winners with the gala event for the national and Queensland awards held in Brisbane at the Triffid. The field of nominees across all categories at both state and national level read like a who’s who of touring artists in Australia. The awards are voted on by a panel of 100 experts from around the country and there are 2 peoples choice awards voted by the public.

The Brisbane gala was hosted by Dominic Miller, with live performances from Electrik Lemonade, Pink Matter, Katie Noonan and Timothy James Bowen, Bugs, Alice Ivy and Magic Dirt. The NLMA’s are run by Heath Media, with the event directed by Larry Heath.

The national winners were:

Best R&B and Soul Live Act
Mojo Juju

Best Blues and Roots Live Act
All Our Exes Live In Texas

Best Pop Live Act
Confidence Man

Best Country Live Act
Marlon Williams

Best Hard Rock Live Act
Tropical Fuck Storm

Best Electronic/DJ Live Act
Electric Fields

Best Hip Hop Live Act
Baker Boy

International Live Achievement – band
Gang of Youths

International Live Achievement – solo
Courtney Barnett

Live Photographer of the Year
Jess Gleeson

Best Live Music Event of the Year
Dark Mofo

Best Live Instrumentalist of the Year
Luke Liang

“The Sheddy” Best Live Drummer of the Year
Jen Sholakis

Best Live Bassist of the Year
Isobel D’Cruz Barnes

Best Live Guitarist of the Year
Gareth Liddiard

The NLMA
Girls Rock! Australia

Best New Act
Tropical Fuck Storm

Live Voice of the Year
Stella Donnelly

Live Act of the Year
Baker Boy

Live Legends
Magic Dirt

Peoples Choice Awards

Best Live Act – The Cat Empire
Best Live Voice – Harry James Angus

Queensland Awards

Live Act of the Year – WAAX

Live Voice of the Year – Amy Shark

Live Venue of the Year – The Triffid

Live Event of the Year – BIGSOUND

All Ages Achievement – Woodfordia

Gallery