The 2023 Nominees for the MusicACT Music Awards (MAMAs) are now live! Winners to be announced on Tuesday December 5 at Highball.

Read on >>

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, SAFIA, Fred Smith, Apricot Ink, Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide and ARCHIE among the nominees for this year’s MAMAs, an annual celebration and recognition of great music being created in Canberra.

Four categories, Artist of the Year, Industry Legend of the Year, Best Independent Debut of the Year and new category Best Release of the Year will be decided through public online voting by over 1900 ACT Music Pros; peers and punters alike. Voting closes on Tuesday November 21.

>>LISTEN to the Canberra talent MAMAs 2023 Nominees<<

The MAMAs peer nomination and award voting process sets out to elevate music industry recognition. The MAMAs acknowledge the ACT’s uniquely independent and highly collaborative music scene, the importance of encouraging emerging new music and celebrating the incredible contributions of individual artists and music industry workers who drive the ACT’s contemporary music industry.

>>VOTE in the MAMAs 2023 here<<

The winners of each category plus two MusicACT Hall of Fame Inductees will be announced at the 2023 MAMAs awards evening on Tuesday December 5 at newly-renovated city venue Highball. Tickets are now on-sale for the evening, with the night featuring live music performances from Apricot Ink + more to be announced.

“The MAMAs are an historical opportunity for audiences and industry to discover Canberra’s wonderful musicians and the people working behind our stages.”

>>Tickets available here<<

Full list of nominees for 2023

Artist of the Year 2023 – Nominees

Apricot Ink

ARCHIE

Fred Smith

Jack Biilmann & The Black Tide

Sesame Girl

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

Best Release of the Year Nominees

Apricot Ink – Summa Glo

ARCHIE – Lowtide

Artist Running Club – Japan

Lara Buchanan – You Know I Like Red

SAFIA – A Lover’s Guide to a Lucid Dream

st.sinner – Headcase

Independent Debut of the Year 2023 – Nominees

Gia Ransome – Boots

Jett Blyton – JUN3

Jason Myles – Freaking Out Loud

Sonic Reducer – ONE OF THE LADS

The Decideds – So Long

Tivien – EGO

Wallabindi aka Monica Moore – Wallabindi Dreaming

Industry Legend/s of the Year 2023 – Nominees

Gutwrench Records

Joel Cabban (The Noisefloor, The Basement)

Meg Houghton

Nuance Media

Tim Brown (sideway)

*Award recipients and presenters at The MAMAs 2022 at ONE22 – Image by Meg Houghton*

Last year saw the event held at ONE22, with 2022 Artist of the Year awarded to Genesis Owusu who recently secured the most ARIA-nominations this year of any artist with seven nominations including ARIA Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Hip-Hop/Rap Release, and recognition and awards for a number of recipients voted on by their peers including local band MUESLI, booking agent Sarah O’Malley. The night also saw MusicACT Hall of Fame inductions for local venue Smith’s Alternative, Duncan Lowe of Infidel Studios and Ryan Sabet of Kicks Entertainment (Spilt Milk Festival).