This year's Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMAs) have assembled a stacked programme of talent, with the likes of Sarah Blasko, Kasey Chambers, Katie Noonan and Emily Wurramara to perform live.
Now in its fifth year, the AWMAs celebrate and spotlight the vast contribution of Australian female, non-binary and GNC artists, musicians and music practitioners across all areas of the industry.Once again being staged in Brisbane 1-2 October, the AWMAs award ceremony (2 October) at The Fortitude Music Hall will be co-hosted by Yumi Stynes who returns with the legendary Sarah McLeod (who'll also perform on the evening) with 19 AWMA recipients to be announced, 2 extraordinary matriarchs inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll and the 2024 Inspiration Award revealed.
Each performer will be backed by the AWMA House Band that features some of Australia's top female musicians led by AWMA Music Director and bassist Zoe Hauptmann alongside Sarah Belkner (keys, vocals) Hilary Geddes (guitarist, vocals) and Lozz Benson (drums).
Other artists revealed to perform are Mo'Ju, Nina Korbe, Karin Schaupp, Ripple Effect Band, and Karen Lee Andrews. Guests will also enjoy a Black Carpet arrival hosted by hip hop artist Kween G with MC and singer Sheba who will also DJ this year's after party at The Outpost, upstairs at The Fortitude Music Hall.
The 2024 AWMA programme will commence the day prior with the AWMA Conference (1 October), which for the first time will be staged at Queensland Multicultural Centre in Kangaroo Point.
This year's focus is on gender equality and diversity, providing a unique platform to discuss the critical pathways to building and maintaining an equitable and inclusive culture for the future health of the industry.
Other highlights of the conference programme include a First Nations Women's Forum 'Yarning Strong - Always Was, Always Will Be Blak Matriarch Energy' presented by Support Act through JB Hi-Fi's Helping Hands Program; followed by Greening Up Our Act that will discuss how artists, festivals and industry are paving the way for a greener music scene, which is presented by Green Music Australia.
Hosted by Dizzy Doolan and Emily Wurramara the 2024 First Nations Women's Music Program, to be staged at The Outpost on the first evening (1 October) features Layla Havana, SOLCHLD, and Yirgjhilya as well as the all-female Ripple Effect Band from the remote community of Maningrida, in Arnhem Land who are forging new ground as the first women from their community to pick up instruments, singing in the languages of their people – Ndjébbana, Burarra, Na-kara and Kune – to tell the story of their land and their culture.
In 2024, AWMA continues to attract overwhelming industry and community support with the establishment of 13 new partnerships including a new major partnership with Australian Regional & Remote Community Services, Supporting Partnerships with SONY Music Australia, Warner Music Australia, Opera Australia, QPAC, ALH Group, Face to Face Touring, and industry support from Eleven: A Music Company, Support Act, Green Music Australia, The Fortitude Music Hall and Queensland Multicultural Centre.
AWMA is also excited to announce a three-year education partnership with Collarts, a leading tertiary arts education college focussed on industry-based learning in the arts and entertainment industries. "Providing our students with nationally-recognised industry opportunities is at the heart of what we do," Collarts CEO Sam Jacob says.
"We're excited to work with AWMA to shine a light on the immense talent, value and vast contribution made by women, First Nations, culturally diverse, non-binary and GNC artists, musicians and music practitioners working across all areas of the Australian music industry."
Both Conference and First Nations Women's Music Program and Award Ceremony & Concert tickets are on sale.
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.
