News August 5, 2019

Self-submissions open for newly-renamed Music Victoria Awards 2019

Image: Martin Philbey

The 2019 award season is well and truly starting to kick off, with the newly-renamed Music Victoria Awards opening self-submissions today.

For 13 years now, the world of Victorian music has looked forward to its annual night of recognition and acknowledgement for the musicians, festivals, and venues that make both the state, and live music capital of the world so great.

Since 2013, these awards have been known as The Age Music Victoria Awards, with the seminal newspaper partnering up with the ceremony for the last six years.

Now though, organisers have announced that the annual awards are going to look a tiny bit different as they kick off the self-submission process for this year’s event.

With The Age stepping away from the 2019 festivities, this year will see the ceremony return to the Melbourne Recital Centre as the Music Victoria Awards, and will be co-presented by Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM.

While things will look pretty much the same this time around, the 2019 Awards have seen the Global category renamed as the Best Intercultural Act award, based upon reflections from the industry and judges as part of a survey from Music Victoria.

“Last year, we introduced a few changes to the awards categories, judging processes and the format of the event itself, which resulted in a more diverse and representative list of nominees,” explains Awards event producer Laura Imbruglia.

“I’m very proud to be producing the event again, and look forward to celebrating the wealth of great music made in Victoria.”

Likewise, the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent will also continue to provide one lucky artist with a cash grant and mentorship as part of the Award.

“Once again on behalf of the Foundation I am proud to have this award presented to the next up and coming First Nations artist to support them and their music,” explains Archie Roach.

While this year will also see a limited number of event tickets offered up to the public and industry for purchase, organisers have today thrown open the doors for self-submissions. While self-submissions are free, they’re only open to Music Victoria members, so be sure to sign up now if you’re not yet a member.

Self-submission categories are open until 5pm on Saturday, August 31st and include Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (under 50 gigs per year), Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (over 50 gigs per year), Best Venue (under 500 capacity), Best Venue (over 500 capacity) and Best Festival.

All nominees will be formally announced on October 10th, before the Music Victoria Awards are held in November. Stay tuned for further updates, and be sure to check out the Music Victoria website for any more information.