Music Victoria has announced the nominees for the 2024 Music Victoria Awards, highlighting the dedication of the state’s music industry to recognising its diverse talent.
This year saw a record-breaking number of entrants, showcasing the vibrant music scene across Victoria.
G Flip, who won Best Victorian Breakthrough Act in 2019, leads the nominations with three nods in 2024, including Best Album, Best Solo Artist, and Best Pop Work. Hiatus Kaiyote, nominated for Best Group this year, originally won Best Emerging Artist in 2013. Meanwhile, Melbourne-based electronic DJ and producer Ninajirachi has received nominations for Best DJ, Best Producer, and Best Electronic Work. Tones and I, the international pop sensation, is nominated for Best Pop Work, having first been recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019.
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Celebrated Victorian artists Simona Castricum, Mindy Meng Wang and Sui Zhen, Baraka The Kid, The Belair Lip Bombs, The Vovos, Lucy Wise, and Hand To Earth have all received two nominations each. Best Song (presented by PBS) contenders include Good Morning, Kaiit, Miss Kaninna, DRMNGNOW, and Jess Ribero, while Maple Glider, Audrey Powne, Lucy Wise, G Flip, and Simona Castricum are up for Best Solo Artist (presented by Triple R).
Simone Schinkel, Music Victoria’s CEO, expressed her excitement about this year’s awards: “Every year I’m excited about the Music Victoria Awards. This is one of my favourite parts of the job. 2024 has been our biggest year of nominations and it’s been a tough choice for the judging panels. Now it’s the public’s turn to cast their votes.”
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 24 October at The Edge in Fed Square. Public voting is open until Tuesday 1 October at musicvictoriaawards.com.au. Voting is also an opportunity to win a year’s supply of beer from Brick Lane Brewing.
Categories and nominees:
Public voted
- Best Song or Track presented by PBS: DRMNGNOW – Ngarwu, Good Morning – Excalibur, Jess Ribeiro – Summer of Love, Kaiit – Space, Miss Kaninna – Pinnacle Bitch.
- Best Album presented by Triple R: Angie McMahon – Light, Dark, Light Again, Gregor – Satanic Lullabies, G Flip – DRUMMER, The Belair Lip Bombs – Lush Life, The Vovos – Lilla Gubben.
- Best Solo Artist presented by Triple R: Audrey Powne, G Flip, Lucy Wise, Maple Glider, Simona Castricum.
- Best DJ presented by City of Melbourne: Aldonna, DJ PGZ, IN2STELLAR, Ninajirachi, Tinika.
- Best Group presented by PBS: Cool Sounds, Gut Health, Hiatus Kaiyote, Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Sui Zhen, RVG.
- Best Regional Act presented by Pullman Melbourne on the Park: Baraka The Kid, Eliza Hull, Juno Mamba, Leah Senior, ZÖJ.
Industry voted
- Best Musician presented by JMC: Cheryl Durongpisitkul, Erica Tucceri, Hudson Whitlock, Lewis Coleman, Lucky Pereira.
- Best Producer presented by AON: Bonnie Knight, Lauren Coutts, Nao Anzai, Ninajirachi, Theo Carbo.
- Amplify Award presented by Arts Access Victoria: Among The Restless, Magdalia, Naavikaran, R.em.edy, Saint Ergo.
- Diaspora Award: Amaru Tribe, Hand to Earth, Jarabi Band, Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Sui Zhen, Wild Gloriosa.
- Best Blues Work presented by The Blues Train: Checkerboard Lounge, Lloyd Spiegel, Nigel Wearne, Opelousas, The McNaMarr Project.
- Best Country Work: Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits, Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields, Patrick Wilson, Sweet Talk, The Counterfeit.
- Best Electronic Work: Hybrid Man, Ninajirachi, Simona Castricum, Smilk, Spoonbill.
- Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Work: Duré Dara and Speak Percussion, Hand to Earth, Hantu, Monica Lim, Panghalina.
- Best Folk Work: Ernest Aines, Evan & Mischa, Lucy Wise, Mickey & Michelle, The Bashevis Singers.
- Best Heavy Work: Diploid, Pizza Death, Religious Observance, Suldusk, The Incantus.
- Best Hip Hop Work: Baraka The Kid, FLY BOY JACK, MAMMOTH. & Eric Spice, Srirachi, Yung Shōgun.
- Best Jazz Work: Finn Rees, Helen Svoboda, James Sherlock Trio, Michelle Nicolle, Vanessa Perica Orchestra.
- Best Pop Work: Blusher, Gretta Ray, G Flip, The Cat Empire, Tones and I.
- Best Reggae or Dancehall Work: JahWise, Killah Keys, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Rick Howe, Shottaz.
- Best Rock or Punk Work: Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice, ENOLA, Porpoise Spit, The Belair Lip Bombs, The Vovos.
- Best Soul, Funk, RNB or Gospel Work: EMEREE, Emma Volard, Mildlife, Squid Nebula, Tekoa.
- Best Metro Festival presented by Brick Lane Brewing: Flippin’ the Bird – Frankston (Bunurong), LuliePalooza – Abbotsford (Wurundjeri), Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung), St Kilda Festival (Boon Wurrung), Yo CiTY CONNECT: AFRO-FUTURE – Abbotsford (Wurundjeri).
- Best Regional Festival presented by Brick Lane Brewing: Beyond the Valley – Golden Plains (Wadawurrung), Loch Hart Music Festival (Kirrae Whurrung), NYE On The Hill Bass Coast (Bunurong), Port Fairy Folk Festival (Gunditjmara), Queenscliff Music Festival (Wadawurrung).
- Best Large Venue (Metro) presented by Oztix: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre (Wurundjeri and Bunurong), Forum Melbourne (Wurundjeri and Bunurong), Northcote Theatre (Wurundjeri), Palais Theatre – St Kilda (Bunurong), The Corner Hotel – Richmond (Wurundjeri).
- Best Small Venue (Metro) presented by Oztix: Northcote Social Club (Wurundjeri), MOTH – Mornington Peninsula (Bunurong), Kindred Bandroom – Footscray (Wurundjeri), Lulie Tavern – Collingwood (Wurundjeri), The JazzLab – Brunswick (Wurundjeri).
- Best Regional Venue or Presenter (Over 50 Gigs) presented by Oztix: The Barwon Club Hotel – Geelong (Wadawurrung), The Bridge Hotel – Castlemaine (Dja Dja Wurrung), The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel – Castlemaine (Dja Dja Wurrung), Torquay Hotel – (Wadawarrung), Volta – Ballarat (Wadawurrung).
- Best Regional Venue or Presenter (Under 50 gigs) presented by Oztix: The Blues Train – Bellarine Peninsula (Wadawurrung), Meeniyan Town Hall – South Gippsland (Bunurong), The Sound Doctor – Anglesea (Wadawurrung), The Gallery of Good – Trafalgar (Gunaikurnai), OK Motels – Charlton (Dja Dja Wurrung), Ballarat (Wadawurrung), Shepparton (Yorta Yorta).
Public voting opens Monday 2 September, closes Tuesday 1 October.
musicvictoriaawards.com.au.
Category winners will be revealed at this year’s awards ceremony on Thursday 24 October at The Edge in Fed Square. See below, the full list of nominees and head to musicvictoriaawards.com.au to cast your vote before Tuesday 1 October.
