2016 NLMAs Celebrate Best Of Live Music In The NT And Australia-wide

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What a special night for NT live music it was last Tuesday as the Darwin Railway Club hosted the inaugural National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) presentations for the Northern Territory category.

Foldback Magazine, as NT media partners with the NLMAs, were proud to be able to present the winners with their awards and then capture the live local entertainment from the inimitable Serena Pech, those crazy kids from Parap At The Dakota (they have moved from Stuart Park, apparently) and the indomitable hardcore act Tapestry. DJ Mangohig provided the beats in between and the lovely Amy Hetherington steered the proceedings as MC.

The NLMAs are broken down into both National and State/Territory categories, further recognising the work of live performing artists at the ‘grassroots’ level where most live music is performed. Foldback Magazine’s Chair, Jean-Eddy Moutou and Vice Chair, Steve ‘Habibi’ Kelk announced the local winners in the Darwin ceremony as co-ordinated announcements were made at NLMA events around the country, culminating in the National category awards event held at The Basement in Sydney. Said Steve Kelk “The National Live Music Awards recognise the importance of the live music scene in this country, from the tiniest of venues to the largest of events, as well as the special skills that artists bring to their live performances over and above that of their recorded work. Live performance is where the public interface with the artists on a personal level. The artists can see directly and immediately the appreciation the public have for their music and that is a very special thing for everyone involved.”

Of great interest for the Northern Territory is that every award went to Alice Springs-based artists, venues and events, with a tie between a Centralian act and a Darwin act for Best Live Act and not to mention a Centralian and a Darwinian were in contention for National awards as well. This just goes to further show the emerging scene in the Centre punches well above its weight, as does the Territory generally.

NT winners:

NT Live Event of the Year: Wide Open Space Festival Alice Springs

NT Live Venue of the Year (*presented nationally by Moshtix): Epilogue Rooftop Alice Springs

NT Live Voice of the Year: Colin Lillie (Alice Springs)

NT Live Act of the Year: tie between Apakatjah (Alice Springs) and Tapestry (Darwin)

Tapestry drummer Benjamin Masters was also nominated for the National award of Best Live Drummer (won by Simon Ridley of DZ Deathrays) while Colin Lillie was in contention for the National award for Live Voice of the Year – People’s Choice (won by Josh Pyke). These nominations further illustrate the standards to which Territory artists are reaching, rubbing shoulders with such nationally and internationally renowned performers.

Colin Lillie also performed at the National event in Sydney, along with Territory alumna Leah Flanagan, both doing the NT proud. Foldback Magazine also had a guest photographer, Henrique Fanti, at the Sydney event – many thanks to Henrique for his excellent efforts.

 

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NATIONAL AWARDS WINNERS

Live Act of the Year – The Smith Street Band
The Heatseeker Award – Camp Cope
Live Voice of the Year – Ngaiire
Guitarist of the Year – Gareth Liddiard
Bassist of the Year – Donny Benet
Drummer of the Year – Simon Ridley
Instrumentalist of the Year – Johann Beardraven

Best Live Music Event in Australia – Dark Mofo

International Live Achievement (Solo) – Courtney Barnett
International Live Achievement (Group/Band) – Tame Impala

Hip Hop Live Act of the Year – Tkay Maidza
DJ or Electronic Live Act of the Year – Flume
Hard Rock or Metal Live Act of the Year – Violent Soho
Roots Live Act of the Year – Tash Sultana
R&B or Soul Live Act of the Year – Ngaiire

The NLMA (Industry Achievement) – Sounds Australia

People’s Choice Awards

Live Act of the Year – Ball Park Music
Live Voice of the Year – Josh Pyke

STATE & TERRITORY AWARDS

NSW
Live Act of the Year – Gang of Youths
Live Voice of the Year – Ngaiire

Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Newtown Social Club
Live Music Event of the Year – King Street Crawl

The AAA (All Ages Achievement) Award
Presented by MusicNSW – Black Wire Records

VIC

Live Act of the Year – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Live Voice of the Year – Paul Dempsey
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Corner Hotel
Live Music Event of the Year – St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

QLD

Live Act of the Year – Violent Soho
Live Voice of the Year – MKO
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Triffid
Live Music Event of the Year – BIGSOUND

SA

Live Act of the Year – Bad//Dreems
Live Voice of the Year – Naomi Keyte
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Grace Emily
Live Music Event of the Year – WOMAdelaide

WA

Live Act of the Year – Methyl Ethel
Live Voice of the Year – Keira Owen
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Mojo’s Bar
Live Music Event of the Year – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

TAS

Live Act of the Year – Luca Brasi
Live Voice of the Year – Jed Appleton
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Republic Bar
Live Music Event of the Year – Dark Mofo

ACT

Live Act of the Year – Glitoris
Live Voice of the Year – Citizen Kay
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – The Phoenix
Live Music Event of the Year – Groovin The Moo

NT

Live Act of the Year – Apakatjah / Tapestry (TIE)
Live Voice of the Year – Colin Lillie
Venue of the Year (Presented nationally by Moshtix) – Epilogue Rooftop
Live Music Event of the Year – Wide Open Space Festival

For a full roundup of all the National and State/Territory winners and performers, see:

http://www.nlmas.com.au/

Pics by Steve Habibi Kelk, Luke Kohler (Darwin) & Henrique Fanti (Sydney)

#foldbackmag #nlmas #nlmas16