2020 SAM Awards to forge ahead with COVID-19 restrictions

The South Australian Music (SAM) Awards will go ahead in 2020, with this year’s ceremony to take place in line with coronavirus safety restrictions in November.

The accomplishments of the South Australian music community will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 3, with the exact format to be announced closer to the date.

Last year’s awards saw a record number of votes cast before the gala ceremony, which was held at Adelaide University’s prestigious Bonython Hall.

South Australian Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni, said he is looking forward to being a part of the SAM Awards once again.

“The South Australian Music Awards will once again recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in our local music industry,” he said.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is proud to be a major partner of Music SA and the SAM Awards. We value our state’s music sector which, not only contributes enormously to the cultural fabric of our community, but also supports hundreds of local jobs.”

The big winners last time around included Horror My Friend, Adrian Eagle and Electric Fields.

Submissions are now open for the 2020 SAM Awards, and close September 3.

“In what’s been a very difficult year for our industry, I’m really looking forward to celebrating all of the excellent music and fantastic achievements that have emerged out of SA in the last year,” Music SA’s newly appointed GM, Kim Roberts, said.

“It’s such a great opportunity to acknowledge the creativity and innovation that makes our community so exciting.”

There are new categories this year including Best Innovation, an award focused on championing new media and ideas around the music landscape, Best Music Educator and splitting the Festival / Event category.

This year’s SAM Industry and Major awards will be decided by a panel of 15 national and local judges who represent and work across various facets of the industry:

They are:

• Alex Karatassa (5/4 Entertainment)
• Beck Pearce (Office of Adelaide UNESCO City of Music)
• Declan Byrne (triple j)
• Ed Noble (Sunny Side Uploads)
• Emily York (Penny Drop)
• Grant Gillies (Gaga Music)
• Grayson Rotumah (Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music)
• Hannah Fairlamb (Girls Rock! Adelaide)
• James Alberts (Jimblah)
• Kate Bailey (ABC Adelaide)
• Lewis Wundenberg (Wundenberg’s Recording and Rehearsal Studios)
• Maggie Collins (Morning Belle)
• Tam Boakes (Jive)
• Tyler Jenke (Rolling Stone)
• Zane Dean (Fresh 927)

The People’s Choice Awards will open to votes by the public from Monday, September 7 at TheMusic.com.au.