Adelaide Nominated For ‘Best Global Music City’

Adelaide, the first, and only, designated UNESCO City of Music in Australia, could add two more cultural references to its calling card.

The city of churches is nominated for “best global music city” and “best late-night economy initiative,” part of the international Music Cities Awards program.

“Global music city” is the top honor on the night, one that celebrates “the city or town that has best integrated music into as many aspects of its development as possible.”

Meanwhile, the late-night economy category “recognises the most exceptional night-time economy initiative or project, that positively impacts the lives of those working in or enjoying music at night.”

All told, 11 awards will be handed out at the Music Cities Awards, which acknowledges and rewards the “most outstanding applications of music” for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in spots around the globe.

Australian Women in Music Awards and Music Victoria have been shortlisted in years past.

After two virtual editions in 2020 and 2021, winners at the Music Cities Awards will be announced at the 11th Music City Awards in Tulsa, part of the part of the Tulsa Music Cities Convention in early November.

Joe Hay, GM of Adelaide City of Music, has been invited to speak at the conference about the SA capital and its success, vision, and commitment to enabling a vibrant music ecosystem.

“Adelaide has endured the devastating effects of COVID and is rebuilding due to the creativity and resilience of its artists and music industry and through a diverse support infrastructure built over the past ten years,” comments Hay.

These nominations, Hay continues, recognise “the hard work and diversity of Adelaide’s music ecology and everyone who supports and enjoy music, whatever, and wherever it is found in our state, our bands, symphony’s, pubs, theatres and festivals.”

Adelaide is on a roll. Today (Sept. 15) marks the grand opening of the Hindley Street Music Hall, a 1,800-capacity collaborative project between Secret Sounds, Live Nation, Five Four Entertainment, and the team behind Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid venues.

And, just last month, the city hosted the annual Indie-Con and 2022 AIR Awards, and one of its favorite sons, Paul Kelly, was immortalised with the unveiling of Paul Kelly Lane, the fourth “City of Music” laneway, following Sia Furler, Cold Chisel and No Fixed Address (late Indigenous artists Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter will also be remembered with a permanent spot).

Adelaide, despite its geographic isolation, has a proud music history. 

The status of live music in South Australia is considered so important, British festival promoter and “live music thinker” Martin Elbourne was engaged by the Dunstan Foundation to write a report on it, the results of which published in 2013.

Two years later, in 2015, Adelaide was recognised and designated a UNESCO City of Music.

These Music Cities nods come “as welcome news for our state’s music and concert scenes,” comments Andrea Michaels MP minister for arts.

“Live music and performance have had a tough couple of years, battling through COVID-19 and it’s why the South Australian Government is investing $10 million to rejuvenate the sector.”

Visit www.musiccitiesevents.com for more.