Credit: Bec Parsons

Amyl and The Sniffers, Genesis Owusu win big at 2023 National Live Music Awards

Electric Fields and Dark Mofo have also achieved historic wins at this year

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) returned with a bang for their 6th annual event. Over 60 awards were handed out at eight simultaneous events held across Australia, with one in each state and territory.

Victoria’s Amyl and the Sniffers and the ACT’s Genesis Owusu took home the spotlight by winning three awards each. Amyl and the Sniffers clinched the coveted “Live Act of the Year” award along with “Best Live Act in VIC” and “Best Punk/Hardcore Act.” They managed to sweep every award they were nominated for.

Genesis Owusu, on the other hand, secured “Best Stage and Lighting Design” presented by Novatech with Alex McCoy and Pat Santamaria, as well as “Best Hip Hop Act” and “Best Live Act in ACT” presented by BMA.

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Baker Boy emerged as this year’s recipient of the Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) Live Award. He was recognized for celebrating the Yolngu language through music and connecting First Nations young people in remote communities to their potential. Baker Boy, no stranger to the NLMA stage, expressed his passion for making a difference and celebrating Indigenous languages.

Susan Heymann, Frontier Touring, was inducted as the inaugural industry Live Legend, and Yothu Yindi received the Live Legend accolade for their longstanding contributions to the Australian and international music scene.

Dark Mofo continued its winning streak with two awards for “Best Live Event in Tasmania,” presented by Oztix, and “Live Event of the Year” in the national categories, presented by The Music.

Zaachariaha Fielding of Electric Fields secured the “Best Live Voice” award, marking his third consecutive win in this category. Electric Fields now holds eight awards, making them the most awarded artists in the history of the NLMAs, alongside Dark Mofo. Both artists continue to make history at the NLMAs.

In a night filled with talent and recognition, various artists received awards in different categories. Camp Cope’s Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich clinched the “Live Bassist of the Year” award for the second time. Ball Park Music from Queensland scored two trophies, including “Best Indie/Rock/Alternative Act” and the public-voted “Best Live Act in QLD.”

First-time winners in the national categories included Tashi Hall (Best Live Photographer presented by beehive), RÜFÜS DU SOL (Best DJ/Electronic Act), Kirsty Tickle of Party Dozen (Best Live Instrumentalist), the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (Best Classical), and C.O.F.F.I.N (Best Hard Rock/Metal Act presented by HEAVY).

The annual industry award, “The NLMA,” transitioned to a State/Territory accolade this year, voted on by the 100 national jurors. The winners were Ruth O’Brien (ACT), Vyvienne Alba (NSW), Isobella Caruso (SA), Asher Gregory (NT), Joc Curran (QLD), Kelsie Miller (WA), Sam Dowson (TAS), and Allison Watters (VIC).

Congratulations to all the winners!!

Here’s the full list of winners for 2023

2023 Live Legend Inductees

• Yothu Yindi
• Susan Heymann

Live Act of the Year

• Amyl and the Sniffers

MMAD Live Award Presented by MMAD

• Baker Boy

Live Voice of the Year

• Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields)

Live Guitarist of the Year

• Joey Walker (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard)

Live Bassist of the Year

• Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich (Camp Cope)

Live Drummer of the Year

• G Flip

Live Instrumentalist of the Year

• Kirsty Tickle (Party Dozen)

Live Event of the Year

• Dark Mofo

Live Photographer of the Year Presented by beehive

• Tashi Hall

Live Journalist of the Year

• Sosefina Fuamoli

International Tour of the Year Presented by Live Event Logistics

• Nick Cave and Warren Ellis – Supersonic

Best Stage and Lighting Design Presented by Novatech

• Alex McCoy and Pat Santamaria – Genesis Owusu

GENRE AWARDS

Best Punk/Hardcore Act Presented by Heavy

• Amyl and the Sniffers

Best Hard Rock/Metal Act Presented by Heavy

• C.O.F.F.I.N

Best Indie/Rock/Alternative Act

• Ball Park Music

Best Hip Hop Act

• Genesis Owusu

Best Electronic/DJ Act

• RÜFÜS DU SOL

Best Pop Act

• Thelma Plum

Best Folk Act

• Emily Wurramara

Best Blues & Roots Act

• The Teskey Brothers

Best Country Act

• Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys

Best R&B/Soul Act

• Mo’Ju

Best Classical Act

• Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Best Jazz Act

• Hiatus Kaiyote

STATE/TERRITORY AWARDS

ACT

Best Live Act in the ACT Presented by BMA

• Genesis Owusu

Best Live Voice in the ACT

• Cormac McKahey (Sonic Reducer)

Best Live Venue in the ACT

• The Basement

Best Live Event in the ACT Presented by Oztix

• Loading Zone – Sideway

The ACT NLMA

• Ruth O’Brien

NSW

Best Live Act in NSW Presented by 2SER

• DMA’s

Best Live Voice in NSW

• Vera Blue

Best Live Venue in NSW

• The Enmore Theatre

Best Live Event in NSW Presented by Oztix

• Mardi Gras Fair Day

The NSW NLMA

• Vyvienne Alba

SA

Best Live Act in SA Presented by City of Adelaide

• The Empty Threats

Best Live Voice in SA

• Carla Lippis

Best Live Venue in SA

• The Gov

Best Live Event in SA Presented by Oztix

• WOMADelaide

THE SA NLMA

• Isobella Caruso

NT

Best Live Act in NT

• King Stingray

Best Live Voice in NT

• Katanga Junior

Best Live Venue in NT

• Darwin Railway Club

Best Live Event in NT Presented by Oztix

• Darwin Festival

The NT NLMA

• Asher Gregory

QLD

Best Live Act in QLD Presented by 4ZZZ

• Ball Park Music

Best Live Voice in QLD

• Katie Noonan

Best Live Venue in QLD Presented by Red Octopus

• The Tivoli

Best Live Event in QLD Presented by Oztix

• Woodford Folk Festival

The QLD NLMA

• Joc Curran

VIC

Best Live Act in VIC Presented by SYN

• Amyl and the Sniffers

Best Live Voice in VIC Presented by Music Victoria

• Julia Jacklin

Best Live Venue in VIC

• The Forum

Best Live Event in VIC Presented by Oztix

• Meredith Music Festival

The VIC NLMA

• Allison Watters

TAS

Best Live Act in TAS Presented by City of Hobart

• Luca Brasi

Best Live Voice in TAS Presented by Simple

• Claire Anne Taylor

Best Live Venue in TAS Presented by Edge Radio

• The Odeon Theatre

Best Live Event in TAS Presented by Oztix

• Dark Mofo

The TAS NLMA

• Sam Dowson

WA

Best Live Act in WA Presented by RTR FM

• Alter Boy

Best Live Voice in WA

• Carla Geneve

Best Live Venue in WA

• Mojos Bar

Best Live Event in WA Presented by Oztix

• Nannup Music Festival

The WA NLMA

• Kelsie Miller

More details about the NLMAs can be found here. 

Words by Staff Writer