Australia's independent music sector is getting its flowers at the AIR Awards 2026.
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association has just opened nominations for the 20th edition of its annual AIR Awards, a milestone moment for the celebration of homegrown talent operating outside the major label system.
The event will take place on 30 July at Adelaide Town Hall, nestled in Australia’s only UNESCO-designated City of Music.
2026 AIR Awards
- 30 July
- Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide
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For the 2026 ceremony, AIR has shaken up its dance and electronic categories to better reflect the global dominance of Australian artists in these genres. The organisation has introduced two fresh awards: Best Independent Dance/Club Single and Best Independent Electronic Single. The former recognises standout releases in house, techno, trance, drum and bass, garage, breaks and related club-focused sub-genres, while the latter celebrates electronic music created using software and technology that sits outside the dancefloor sphere. The previous Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP category has also been renamed to Best Independent Electronic Album or EP.
Artists and labels can nominate eligible releases issued between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. Nominations close at 5pm AEDT on 13 March. AIR membership is required to submit nominations.
The full list of 2026 categories spans 24 awards, covering everything from blues and roots to heavy, hip hop to classical, plus industry gongs for marketing teams, producers, engineers and publicity crews. Past AIR Award nominees and winners have included Amyl and the Sniffers, Genesis Owusu, Courtney Barnett, Flume, Sampa the Great, Confidence Man, G Flip, King Stingray, Electric Fields and plenty more.
Alongside the awards ceremony, Indie-Con Australia Conference and A2IM’s Indie Week Australian Edition will run from 29 to 31 July at Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts. Early bird tickets go on sale soon.
For more information, head here.
