After enduring two years of hardship, the Victorian music scene will come together to celebrate the musicians and groups who have contributed to the fabric and culture of the state's recent artistry at the 2022 Music Victoria Awards.
Alongside 16 industry-voted categories are 12 awards that are now open to a public vote (voting closes at 5pm EDT on 21 November) with nominees for all 28 awards now having been revealed.Those nominated for an industry award include Ajak Kwai, Alice Ivy, The Black Sorrows, Bumpy, Carissa Nyalu, Charm Of Finches, Confidence Man, Evelyn Ida Morris, Harvey Sutherland, Kerryn Fields, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Kutcha Edwards, Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, Lance Ferguson, Michael Waugh, Mo'Ju, Nicky Bomba, Pinch Points, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Ruby Gill, Telenova, and The Weeping Willows.
"The [industry-voted] nominees that have been announced are those that have been determined as the very best of their category by experts in the field," Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel says.
"I was lucky enough to be allowed in the room during the judging process. The passion with which the decision makers discussed the music gave me goosebumps – it has to be the greatest part of my job.
"Victorians should be so proud of the music that is being made right here – now let's give these artists the recognition, love and respect they deserve; go give them a listen, or better yet, grab a ticket to their next gig."
Artists up for an award in the public voting categories includes Alice Skye, Baker Boy, Black Cab, Bones & Jones, Camp Cope, Courtney Barnett, Dorsal Fins, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Kerryn Fields, Memphis LK, Mo'Ju, Julia Jacklin, Telenova, and thndo.
"Public voting is certainly the most electrifying part of the Awards – where no-one knows who will win until all the votes are in. Make sure you have your say and VOTE FOR MUSIC!" adds Schinkel.
"Massive congratulations to all the nominees – I really hope that this helps all of us to recognise their true value and contribution to the music ecology, that makes Victoria great.
"Many Victorian communities have been badly impacted by flooding of late, so it's extra nice to find reasons like this one to celebrate, and ultimately help those impacted to rise again."
Adds much-loved Victorian music champion Molly Meldrum: "There's amazing talent out there as Music Victoria knows. It's so important for them to be acknowledged and the Music Victoria Awards give them that."
Voting for the public awards is open until 5pm EDT on 21 November.
Music Victoria Awards 2022 Nominees
Industry-voted categories
The Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent
BumpyCarissa Nyalu
Jess Hitchcock
MpathSoul - Monica Jasmine Karo
Pirritu
Arts Access Amplify Award
BattsBetween Mirrors
Evelyn Ida Morris
Nat Bartsch
Saint Ergo
MAV Diasporas Award
Ajak KwaiBlack Jesus Experience
Charles Maimarosia
Hand To Earth
Vanessa Estrada
Best Blues Work
Checkerboard LoungeDamon Smith
High Ace
The Black Sorrows
The McNamarr Project
Best Country Work
Georgia State LineLachlan Bryan and The Wildes
Michael Waugh
Sherry Rich
The Weeping Willows
Best Electronic Work
Harvey SutherlandOK EG
Papaphilia
Puscha
Various Asses
Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Work
Cat HopeFemale Wizard
Nina Buchanan
Rama Parwata
The Amplified Elephants
Best Folk Work
Above The BitAustral
Charm Of Finches
Kerryn Fields
Ruby Gill
Best Heavy Work
DiploidISUA
Jalang
Outright
Rinuwat
Best Hip Hop Work
JaalNomad
MAMMOTH. & Silentjay
SO.Crates
Yung Shōgun
Best Jazz Work
Barney McAllClaire Cross
Johannes Luebbers Dectet
Peter Knight
Sam Anning
Best Pop Work
Confidence ManJune Jones
Mug
Telenova
The Stroppies
Best Reggae and Dancehall Work
Jah TungJahWise
Nicky Bomba
Shottaz
Best Rock/Punk Work
Dr Sure's Unusual PracticePinch Points
Jaala
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
Soul, Funk, RNB & Gospel Work
Kutcha EdwardsLance Ferguson
Mo'Ju
Nikodimos
Zretro
Best Producer
Alice IvyGab Strum
Oscar Dawson
Stuart Mackenzie
Tim Shiel
Public-voted categories
Best Album
Baker Boy - 'Gela'Harvey Sutherland - 'Boy'
JAZZPARTY - 'Nobody Gets Away'
Kerryn Fields - 'Water'
thndo - 'Life In Colour'
Best Song
Baker Boy - 'Survive'Black Cab - 'Rotsler's Rules'
Courtney Barnett - 'Rae Street'
GUTHRIE - 'Dickhead Song'
Julia Jacklin - 'Lydia Wears A Cross'
Best Group
Camp CopeDorsal Fins
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
Ramona Sky
Telenova
Best Solo Artist
Baker BoyIJALE
Julia Jacklin
Kerryn Fields
Mo'Ju
Best DJ
Jennifer LovelessMemphis LK
MzRizk
Reptant
Simon TK
Best Regional Act
Alice SkyeBaker Boy
Bones & Jones
DEAD
Jess Parker
Best Metro Festival
Brunswick Music Festival (Wurundjeri)Melbourne Music Week (Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung)
Peninsula Summer Music Festival (Boonwurrung)
Reunion Park (Wurundjeri)
RISING (Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung)
Best Regional Festival
CresFest - Creswick (Dja Dja Wurrung)Meadow - Bambra (Gulidjan, Gadubanud and Wadawurrung)
OK Motels - Charlton (Dja Dja Wurrung)
Port Fairy Folk Festival (Gunditjmara)
Riverboats Music Festival - Echuca-Moama (Yorta Yorta)
Best Large Venue (Metro)
Forum Melbourne (Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung)Melbourne Recital Centre (Wurundjeri)
Palais Theatre (Boonwurrung)
Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Wurundjeri)
The Night Cat (Wurundjeri)
Best Small (Metro)
Brunswick Ballroom (Wurundjeri)Northcote Social Club (Wurundjeri)
Shotkickers - Thornbury (Wurundjeri)
The Gasometer Hotel - Collingwood (Wurundjeri)
The Jazzlab - Brunswick (Wurundjeri)
Best Regional Venue/Presenter (Established)
Caravan Music Club - Archies Creek (Boonwurrung)Palais Hepburn (Dja Dja Wurrung)
The Barwon Club Hotel - Geelong (Wadawurrung)
The Taproom - Shedshaker Brewing in Castlemaine (Dja Dja Wurrung)
Theatre Royal Castlemaine (Dja Dja Wurrung)
Best Regional Venue / Presenter (under 50 gigs per year)
Ballarat Mechanics' Institute - Minerva (Wadawurrung)Daylesford Hotel (Dja Dja Wurrung)
Golden Vine Hotel - Bendigo (Dja Dja Wurrung)
Hotel Warrnambool (Peek Whurrong)
Music On The Hill (MOTH) - Mornington Peninsula (Boonwurrung)
