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Following the cancellation of events such as the Helpmann Awards and BIGSOUND in 2021 and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Live Music Awards have also confirmed that their 6th Annual event will be postponed to 2022.  

This comes after the 5th Annual Awards proceeded in October 2020 on the eve of BIGSOUND, with a combination of physical and digital events around the country.

More than 50,000 tuned in for the digital event internationally, during the live screening and on demand for the 72 hours following the event, while screening parties and live performances took place in Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia’s diverse and successful live industry, celebrating the diversity and success of the Australian live scene – recognising the best vocal talents and musicians alongside the best venues, events and festivals. The awards contain both national and state focused categories, voted on by the live industry (including fellow musicians, media, venues, bookers), with select public voted categories. Traditionally, the national awards are revealed at a gala event, while the State and Territory awards are revealed at satellite events in their respective capital cities.

Founder and Director of the NLMAs, Larry Heath, explained the decision to move the next event to 2022, “...our 2020 event proceeded as more than half of the year of eligibility saw live music operating as normal in Australia.”

“Sadly, while there are fantastic local scenes still in operation, and many artists who have defied the odds and managed to tour through much of the last year in one form or another, the landscape of touring has been one of uncertainty and the raw fact of the matter is - with a year of lockdowns and closed borders, there is no national live music scene to celebrate right now. And more to the viability of the awards themselves - there is no clear way for our judges to assess this year's potential nominees."

While the awards are postponed, the NLMAs will be finding other ways to shine a light on the bright spots of the last 12 months, in the leadup to, and during the 2022 event.

Organisers are also planning some exciting changes to the awards for next year, and promise to return bigger and better than ever - with work already underway.

The next “Live Legend”, the award’s hall of fame equivalent, has already been decided, and there have also been changes to the award's Advisory Board, with new members to be announced later in the year.

Commenting on the announcement founding Advisory Board Member Katie Noonan adds “this decision may reflect the state of the industry right now, but it should by no means reflect our fervent passion and belief in the transformative power of the Australian live music industry.

"To all those who are keeping the live industry in Australia alive, we sincerely thank you for everything you do. Your advocacy and passion are what keeps us all going in these difficult times. We can’t wait to celebrate you and your work again soon.”

For more details about the awards and to see past winners, head to NLMAs.com.au. 

Image: The 2019 Gala, at Brisbane's The Triffid. Photo Credit: someFX. 

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