South Australian Music Awards 2024 Finalists

The finalists for the 2024 South Australian Music Awards are here – for an event once again celebrating the finest talent in South Australian music.

The event this year received a record-breaking 693 nominations across Industry and Major categories, with a further 269 artists nominated in the People’s Choice.

Leading the Major Award nominations is emerging indie band Swampmeet, who get recognition in Best Song, Best New Artist, Best Group, and Best Release. They also feature in two industry awards – Best Cover Art and Best Live Music Photograph.

Following closely behind are Motez, aleksiah and DEM MOB, with three major award nominations each. Motez’s ‘Coalesce’ EP is up for Best Release, which includes the powerhouse collaboration ‘Make Way’ with Elsy Wameyo. It’s up for Best Song.


There’s a handful of first-time nominees landing as finalists in categories alongside established acts – such as The Genevieves, Molly Rocket and The Tullamarines in the coveted Best Song category alongside Motez. Plus, post-punkers Coldwave are up against rock and roll stalwarts West Thebarton in Best Release.

Over in the Industry Award categories are the likes of multi award-winning Ryan Martin John scoping three nods, and previous award-winning regional festival Space Jams with two nominations.

This year, the Best Live Music Photograph is added to the slew of awards for the first time.

“The South Australian Music Awards have become a cornerstone event for our vibrant music industry and it’s no surprise to see the incredibly high level of talent represented across this year’s nominations,” CEO of MusicSA Christine Schloithe says.


“With a record number of nominations, it’s clear that South Australian contemporary music continues to grow, innovate, and punch above its weight locally and nationally. We are so very proud to celebrate and amplify the achievements of these artists and music businesses, and we look forward to what promises to be a spectacular night.”

Minister For Arts Andrea Michaels MP says the Malinauskas Government is proud to celebrate another successful year of South Australian music.

“Congratulations to this year’s incredible SA Music Awards finalists,” she says.

“South Australia has a strong legacy of producing extraordinary musicians and you have all made an important contribution to our state’s musical history.

“I look forward to celebrating with you all and unveiling this year’s South Australian Music Hall of Fame inductee.”

The 2024 South Australian Music Awards take place at the Dom Polski Centre (Adelaide) on 7 November.

South Australian Music Awards 2024 Finalists

BEST SONG

Molly Rocket | 'God Damn'
Motez | 'Make Way' (Feat. Elsy Wameyo)
Swapmeet | 'Ceiling Fan'
The Genevieves | 'Adore You'
The Tullamarines | 'I'm So'

BEST NEW ARTIST

aleksiah | '24'
Coldwave | 'No Conflict'
My Cherie | 'Darkness & Gold'
Swapmeet | 'Ceiling Fan'
The Genevieves | 'Adore You'

BEST REGIONAL ARTIST

Alana Jagt and Ryan Martin John | 'I hope for you this Christmas'
DEM MOB | 'DIP'
Germein Sisters | 'City Lights'
Rob Edwards | 'Dreaming'

BEST GROUP

DEM MOB | 'DIP'
Oscar the Wild | 'She'll Be Right'
SONS OF ZOKU | 'ENDLESS'
Swapmeet | 'Oxalis'
Teenage Joans | 'The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest'
West Thebarton | 'Mongrel Australia'

BEST ABORIGINAL or TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ARTIST

DEM MOB | 'DIP'
Electric Fields | 'One Milkali (One Blood)'
J-MILLA | 'On My Soul'
Rob Edwards | 'Dreaming'

BEST SOLO ARTIST

Adam Page | 'Stasis and Flux: Evolution I'
aleksiah | 'Who Are You When You're Not Performing?'
MANE | 'Caught In The Undertow'
Motez | 'Make Way' (Feat. Elsy Wameyo)

BEST RELEASE

aleksiah | 'Who Are You When You're Not Performing?'
Coldwave | 'No Conflict'
Motez | 'Coalesce'
Swapmeet | 'Oxalis'
West Thebarton | 'Mongrel Australia'

BEST STUDIO

Cactus Cactus Sound
Forest Range Studios
House of Sap
Wundenberg's Recording Studios

BEST STUDIO ENGINEER/PRODUCER

Jess Day
Lucinda Machin
Ryan Martin John
Sam Lench

BEST LIVE TECHNICIAN

Lachlan Sheehan
Luke Hancock
Matt Adams
Ryan Martin John

BEST SMALL FESTIVAL/EVENT

Heavy SA Fest
Housing Boom
I Am Not A Burden Fest
IndieFest
Space Jams

BEST MAJOR FESTIVAL/EVENT

Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival
Cry Baby Fest
Forth & Fury Fest
Nice Day to Go To The Club
Spin Off Festival

BEST REGIONAL MUSIC VENUE, FESTIVAL OR EVENT

Big Easy Radio – McLaren Vale
South East Beer & BBQ Fest – Mt Gambier
Space Jams – Inman Valley
The Three Brothers Arms – Macclesfield
Yabaardu – Ceduna

BEST VENUE

Ancient World
Crown & Anchor
Grace Emily
Hindley Street Music Hall
UniBar ADL

BEST MANAGER

Hannah Louise
Rachel Whitford (27 Music)
Sam Szabo (PAK)
Sebastian James (27 Music)
Tayla Carlaw (Pretty Good Thanks)

BEST COVER ART

Coldwave | Designer – Aysh Field | Released – 9 August 2023
aleksiah | Designer – Lucinda Corin | Released – 28 May 2024
Druid Fluids | Designer – Pia GynellJorgensen | Released – 27 October 2023
Swapmeet | Designer – Venus O’Brien | Released – 12 April 2024

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

DEM MOB / Natasha Wanganeen – 'DIP'
Kitchen Witch / Kristoffer Lucia – 'Lost'
LOLA / Bryce Kraehenbuehl – 'Game Over'
My Chérie / Bryce Kraehenbuehl – 'Darkness & Gold'
TOWNS / Luke Franceschini – 'Birthdays'

BEST LIVE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPH

Ariadne Mercer | Swapmeet @ Crown & Anchor, 15 March 2023
Deb Kloeden | The Empty Threats @ Woodville Town Hall, 8 November 2023
eviewonder | Molly Rocket @ Crown & Anchor, 23 December 2023
Lucinda Corin | aleksiah @ Jive, 8 June 2023
Nash Blight | The Empty Threats @ Lion Arts Factory, 19 April 2023

BEST MUSIC EDUCATOR

Annie Siegmann
Hayley Wedding
Peter Spiniello