The Australian Music Prize is back for its 17th instalment in 2021 revealing its nominated albums to date up for a $30,000 cash prize.
The AMP will award one lucky act with the $30,000 cash prize for the best album of the year as decided by an expert panel of industry judges. In an AMP first, this year will also feature a special international guest judge, welcoming renowned artist Billy Bragg to the diverse judging panel.
Judges are currently listening to over 300 eligible 2021 albums, with more still to come as albums will continue to be added weekly right up to the end of the year, estimating to amount to upwards of 415 releases judged for the 16th annual prize.
What you need to know
- The Australian Music Prize has released its current nominations list
- The prize has been bumped up 10 grand to $30,000
- Nominees include the likes of You Am I, Tash Sultana and The Rubens
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“The AMP is such a wonderful reflection of the calibre of music that was released in one year and I truly love that it’s judged on the music itself and the album as a whole, no matter who you are or who you are ‘represented by’, 2020 nominee and current judge Fanny Lumsden says.
“I have always had such a high regard for it and having our album make the shortlist last year truly was mind blowing. Now to be on the other side and listening to all the incredible works that have been released so far, it is a heartening sigh that regardless of what’s happening in the world, the quality of music and art being created is forging ahead.”
Bragg’s the first foreign judge in the competition’s history, as he’s set to tour Australia for three unique shows on consecutive nights in five major cities from January 14 to February 10 2022 as a part of his One Step Forward, Two Steps Back tour.
Bragg joins an all encompassing lineup of Australian music industry professionals including artists, radio broadcasters, record store owners, music writers and editors currently compiling the immense longlist of AMP nominated albums. Bragg says he is honoured to be included as The AMP’s inaugural international judge, “Australia has given me so much encouragement and support over the years, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to return some of that sentiment to up and coming Australian artists”.
The final 9 nominees will be announced in early 2022, with the winner revealed Thursday March 3, 2022. The judges are still listening to albums, so if you know of an eligible album, be sure to get your nominations in – click here for eligibility criteria and to submit album details.
Australian Music Prize Current Nominees
‘A Ton Of Colours’ by Ryan Downey
‘The Lives Of Others’ by You Am I
‘Leafcutter’ by June Jones
‘First Time Really Feeling’ by Liz Stringer
‘Smiling With No Teeth’ by Genesis Owusu
‘Future Forecast’ by CIVIC
‘Irene’ by Izy
‘0202’ by The Rubens
‘Me & Ennui Are Friends, Baby’ by Sarah Mary Chadwick
‘SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound’ by Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
‘Roses’ by The Paper Kites
‘Herald’ by Odette
‘Medicine Man’ by Martha Marlow
‘Terra Firma’ by Tash Sultana
‘This Way Or Some Other’ by Katie Brianna
‘P.M.’ by Jarryd James
‘Provlépseis’ by Tori Forsyth
‘Today We’re The Greatest’ by Middle Kids
‘Romantic Notions’ by Mere Women
‘The World Today’ by Troy Cassar-Daley
‘Butterfly 3000’ by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
‘L.W.’ by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
‘Tales Of Love, Loss, and Outlaws’ by Amends
Head to the Australian Music Prize website for the full judges list and more.
