The 2024 Australian Women in Music Awards ceremony, staged in Brisbane tonight, has seen more than 450 music industry leaders, artists and guests gather to celebrate musicians and music practitioners who have impacted the Australian industry.
The conclusion of a two-day event, also encompassing a conference programme, a First Nations Women's Music Program and the AWMA Black Carpet hosted by Kween G and Sheba, and now in its fifth year, the AWMAs ceremony was staged at The Fortitude Music Hall (2 October) in the heart of Fortitude Valley.Hosted by Yumi Stynes with Sarah McLeod, a total of 21 awards were bestowed paying tribute to leaders, legends and luminaries across a diverse range of categories encompassing all aspects of the music industry.
Kasey Chambers was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, with both Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE ('La Stupenda') and Patricia'‘Little Pattie' Amphlett OAM inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll.
"AWMA continues to build a lifelong legacy for future generations," Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon says.
"Our work is changing the industry forever and is reflected in the vast contribution of First Nations and culturally diverse Australian female, non-binary and GNC artists, musicians and music practitioners acknowledged across all areas of industry, from all genres of music and from all countries and cultures.
"This year we have been saddened by the collapse of our most important music festivals, and in recent years we have grappled with some of the most critical and significant changes the industry has ever seen.
"Australian Women in Music continues to place gender equality front and centre as we move into the future with the knowledge that the playing field for the majority of women, First Nations artists and gender diverse minorities remains vastly inequitable.
"Artist development and career pathways, the facilitation and promotion of events and festivals, grant and support programmes and audience development in particular must be viewed through the lens of gender equality to address the complex barriers to industry growth."
Among this year's other recipients, AWMA 2019 Songwriter Award recipient Mo'Ju received their second AWMA, taking out the Artistic Excellence Award. Alice Ivy also became a two-time AWMA Award winner, backing up her 2022 Studio Production win with the Songwriter Award gong.
Recognised as the world's first female roadie having worked with AC/DC, Suzie Quatro, Joan Jet, Meatloaf, The Who and more across 30 years, Tana Douglas scored the Live Production Touring Award.
From a yellow skivvy to ARIA-winning artist, Emma Watkins took home the Tina Arena Special Impact Award, while Central Coast singer-songwriter Ruby Archer took out the Emerging Artist Award for her 'unique and raw honesty'.
scenestr was thrilled and proud to present the Live Creative Production award, which was won by Anusha Matthews, one of Australia's leading sound operators for touring commercial musicals.
"There is so little chance for recognition in my field of work," Anusha recently told us, "and I can tell from the other finalists selected in my category, this award must cover so many people doing so many different things. To have been picked as one of the most successful really makes me feel accomplished and seen."
There were live performances from Sarah Blasko, Kasey Chambers, Mo'Ju, Nina Korbe, Sarah McLeod, Katie Noonan & Karin Schaupp, Karen Lee Andrews and Emily Wurramara.
The ceremony concluded with a blistering live performance of Midnight Oil's 'Beds Are Burning' performed by Katie Noonan, Sarah McLeod and Karen Lee Andrews who were joined onstage by First Nations artists and elder Ukambari Trigger, from the remote Northern Territory community of Mutitjulu.
The 2024 AWMA Ceremony and concert highlights will be available to watch on SBS On Demand and NITV.
Australian Women in Music Awards 2024 Winners
ARIA Executive Leader Game Changer Award
Chris ErskineOpera Australia Impact Award
Linda ThompsonLifetime Achievement Award
Kasey ChambersTina Arena Special Impact Award
Emma WatkinsHumanitarian Award
Gemma FarrellDiversity In Music Award
Toni JankeExcellence In Classical Music Award
Sonya LifschitzWomen In Heavy Music Award
Tiana SpeterCreative Leadership Award
Kat McGuffieArtistic Excellence Award
Mo'JuStudio Production Award
Charlotte AdelleLive Creative Production Award
Anusha MatthewsLive Production Touring Award
Tana DouglasMusic Leadership Award
Kerry Kennell
Songwriter Award
Alice IvyEmerging Artist Award
Ruby ArcherMusic Photographer Award
Lucinda GoodwinFilm Maker Award
Tori StylesMusic Journalist Award
Ellie Robinson2024 Honour Roll Inductees
Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBEPatricia 'Little Pattie' Amphlett OAM
