2026 AIR AWARDS WRAP!

The 20th AIR Awards were held tonight in Adelaide, Australia’s first and only UNESCO designated City of Music, thanks to continued support from the South Australian Government through the Music Development Office.

 The Awards celebrated the success of Australia’s Independent music sector at the Adelaide Town Hall, with hosts Dylan Lewis and Jessica Braithwaite, and performances from The Tullamarines, Cooking on 3 Burners, Georgia Knight, and Elsy Wameyo.

Ninajirachi received a whopping 5 awards for Independent Album of the Year, Independent Producer of the Year and Best Independent Electronic Album or EP for I Love My Computer; and Best Independent Electronic Single and Independent Song of the Year for iPod Touch. Thanks to Amazon Music, Ninajirachi will receive marketing and global pitching support valued at $30,000AUD to assist with her next release.

I Love My Computer continued to dominate with the Independent Mix, Studio or Mastering Engineer of the Year that went to Thomas Purcell PKA Wave Racer, Independent Publicity Team of the Year that went to Twnty Three, and the award for Independent Marketing Team of the Year.

Folk Bitch Trio took out 3 awards for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP,  Breakthrough Artist of the Year - Presented by PPCA and Independent Music Video of the Year. Thanks to YouTube, Folk Bitch Trio received a cash prize of $5000 to help fund their next Music Video release.

The 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Merlin went to Sebastian Chase, nominated by AIR members in recognition of his significant contribution to the industry over the last 30+ years. Thanks to global independent rights agency Merlin, Sebastian will receive a $5,000 cash prize to be used for professional development.

The highly coveted award for Best Independent Label recognised the efforts of NLV Records, who will receive a digital marketing campaign valued at $3,000, thanks to supporting partner Moshtix.

Twenty-four awards were handed out on the night shining the spotlight on the talented array of artists and labels in the Australian Independent recorded music sector.

South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts, Kyam Maher, said - “The South Australian Government is proud to support the AIR Awards through the Music Development Office and to welcome artists, industry leaders and music professionals to Adelaide for this celebration of Australia’s independent music sector. For 20 years, the AIR Awards have recognised the outstanding achievements of independent artists, labels and industry professionals, highlighting the strength, creativity and success of the sector. Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients announced tonight, and to AIR for delivering another successful event that showcases the depth of talent across Australia’s independent music community.

The South Australian Government is also pleased to confirm its continued support for AIR, and has committed to fund Indie-Con Australia and the AIR Awards for a further two years. This ongoing investment will ensure even more opportunities for South Australian musicians, strengthen industry pathways, and reinforce Adelaide’s status as Australia’s UNESCO City of Music.’

AIR CEO, Maria Amato commented – “Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients announced tonight at our 20th AIR Awards! We thank all our sponsors and are especially grateful to the South Australian Government, through the Music Development Office, for their continued support.This partnership enables us to keep holding our national events in Adelaide—Australia’s only UNESCO-designated City of Music."