Complete AMP Longlist announced, 45 artists vying for $30,000 cash prize

The complete 13th Australian Music Prize (AMP) Longlist has been announced at an event at the National Hotel in Melbourne, with 45 acts revealed to vie for the $30,000 cash prize from the PPCA.

Since early October, the judges have started to announce some of the albums who made the cut at various Longlist Live pop-up gigs in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne presented by Longlist partner Mountain Goat Beer.

After listening to more than 400 Australian albums – a new record – released in the 2017 calendar year, the judging panel, chaired by Dave Faulkner of Hoodoo Gurus, have confirmed the following albums have made the Longlist:

Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother

Ali Barter - A Suitable Girl

Alex Cameron - Forced Witness

Beaches - Second of Spring

Ben Salter - Back Yourself

Billy Davis - A Family Portrait

Birdz - Train of Thought

BOAT SHOW - Groundbreaking Masterpiece

Boo Seeka - Never Too Soon

Brightness - Teething

Cable Ties- Cable Ties

Cameron Avery - Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams

The Creases - Tremolow

Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile - Lotta Sea Lice

Cub Sport - BATS

Dappled Cities - IIIII

Darcy Baylis - Intimacy & Isolation

Ecca Vandal - Ecca Vandal

EWAH & The Vision of Paradise - Everything Fades to Blue

Gang of Youths - Go Farther In Lightness

Glitter Veils - Figures in Sight

Gold Class - Drum

Gordi - Reservoir

Gretta Ziller - Queen of Boomtown

Hazel English - Just Give In/Never Going Home

Holly Throsby - After A Time

Jen Cloher - Jen Cloher

Jess Locke - Universe

Jordan Ireland with Purple Orchestra - Jordan Ireland with Purple Orchestra

Jordan Rakei - Wallflower

Kasey Chambers - Dragonfly

King Gizzard & the Wizard Lizard - Flying Microtonal Banana

Liars - TFCF

Machine Translations - Oh

Mere Women - Big Skies

Methyl Ethel - Everything Is Forgotten

Nerve Quakes - A New State

Paul Kelly - Life Is Fine

Pond - The Weather

Sampa The Great - Birds and the BEE9

The Smith Street Band - More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me

Tim Rogers - An Actor Repairs

Time For Dreams - In Time

Tornado Wallace - Lonely Planet

Underground Lovers - Staring At You Staring At Me

The Vampires - The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke

Among those who’ve previously been AMP-nominated are Courtney Barnett, Beaches, Jen Cloher, Gold Class, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Methyl Ethyl.

Responding to her inclusion Jen Cloher said, "The AMP is Australia’s most important music prize because it’s judged purely on artistic merit.

“Having been both a judge and a nominee, I’ve seen the incredible amount of thought that goes into selecting the shortlist.

“Anyone who lands on there can be assured that it’s no accident.

“Australian’s are making some of the best music in the world at the moment.

“$30,000 can go a long way towards touring and recording your next album - another important reason to get behind the AMP!"

The Smith Street Band’s Chris Cowburn stated, “We’re absolutely honoured that our album has been Longlisted for the AMP prize.

“It’s truly wonderful to be even mentioned in the same breath as so many amazing Australian artists. Best of luck to all the nominees!”

Last night’s event was hosted by Brian Nankervis (RocKwiz) and Sam Lockwood from 2011 AMP winners’ The Jezabels.

There were also live sets from Jen Cloher, Birdz and Gretta Ziller.

Also present were former AMP winners Remi and Sensible J (2014) and Big Scary (2013), with 2017 nominees The Underground Lovers, Beaches, Cable Ties and The Smith Street Band.

The 13th AMP Shortlist will be announced in late January, before the winner is announced in early March.

Follow the AMP on www.facebook.com/australianmusicprize and http://www.australianmusicprize.com.au/.