The Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA) present an outstanding list of finalists for this year’s event, including Kasey Chambers, Deborah Conway, Mo’Ju, Alice Ivy, Tana Douglas, Mawunyo Gbogbo and Katie Noonan.
AWMA is now in its fifth year, and it has attracted a record number of nominations across 19 categories, spanning all music genres and acknowledging the many behind-the-scenes roles which are vital to Australia’s music industry.
This year’s ceremony and concert will be held at The Fortitude Music Hall in Meanjin/Brisbane. Music industry leaders and guests will gather for a star-studded evening with the theme From Rock To Opera.
It’s a fully inclusive event, shining a light on the immense talent and contributions from women, non-binary, gender non-conforming and LGBTQIA+ people of all cultures and Country in the Australian music industry.
The Opera Australia Impact Award will be presented in 2024 as a brand-new category. Finalists are Sydney-based musical composer and vocalist Andrée Greenwell; Melbourne-born soprano, producer and stage director Linda Thompson, and Queensland singer/composer Jessica O’Donoghue.
Plus, there’s the Artistic Excellence Award – where the likes of Kasey Chambers, Mo’Ju and Katie Noonan are named as finalists. Trailblazing roadie Tana Douglas is up for Live Production Touring Award and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside Kasey Chambers and Deborah Conway.
“A hallmark of AWMA is our capacity to reach women and disadvantaged communities from diverse backgrounds whilst raising the collective voice to promote the importance of gender equality in the music industry,” AWMA Founding Executive Producer/Program Director Vicki Gordon says.
The list of finalists were assessed by a Juror Council of 48 members, led by Queensland musician and educator Dr Diana Tolmie.
“The jurors had their work cut out for them,” Diana says. “Jurors commented how impressed they were with the inspiring stories of the nominees, and felt privileged to help celebrate the diversity and tenacity of such music professionals.”
This incredible list of finalists demonstrates the amazing talents of women in this industry who still do not receive enough recognition in mainstream awards,” Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman says.
“These awards are an important way to promote gender equality and diversity and the Miles Government is a proud supporting partner.”
The 2024 Australian Women in Music Awards conference programme takes place at Queensland Multicultural Centre on 1 October. The Australian Women In Music Awards ceremony and concert will be staged at The Fortitude Music Hall (Meanjin/Brisbane) 2 October.
