2026 AIR Awards Nominees Announced!
2026 AIR AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
Thanks to the continued support from the South Australian Government’s Music Development Office, AIR is thrilled to return to Australia’s UNESCO designated City of Music to celebrate its 20th AIR Awards.
The AIR Awards recognise, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. Hundreds of talented Australian independent artists have been recognised over the past 20 years including Gotye, Paul Kelly, Hilltop Hoods, A.B Original, The Temper Trap, Dan Sultan, Emily Wurramara, Emma Donovan, Parkway Drive, Amyl and the Sniffers, Dom Dolla, The Amity Affliction, Genesis Owusu, Courtney Barnett, Fanny Lumsden, Flume, G Flip, King Stingray, Violent Soho, Vance Joy, PNAU, DZ Deathrays, The Jungle Giants, Methyl Ethel, Tones and I, Gordi, Polaris, Josh Pyke, Cub Sport, Northlane, and Alice Ivy. The 2026 AIR Awards will be held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday 30th July as an invite only industry event.
AIR’s Indie-Con Australia Conference and A2IM’s Indie Week Australian Edition will be held at Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts from the 29th - 31st of July. Early bird tickets are on sale and can be purchased HERE.
Minister for Arts Kyam Maher MLC said: ‘The South Australian Government is proud to support Indie‑Con Australia and the AIR Awards, and to welcome nominees, industry leaders and delegates from across Australia and around the world to South Australia.’
‘Hosting this celebration in Adelaide – Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music – alongside A2IM’s Indie Week Australian Edition reinforces South Australia’s role as a national and international leader in the independent music sector.’
‘Together, these events recognise the outstanding contribution of independent artists and music businesses, while delivering opportunities for creative collaboration, industry development and global engagement that strengthen South Australia’s creative economy.’
THE 2026 ARE AWARDS NOMINEES ARE..
|
BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM OR EP JOHN BUTLER - PRISM
EMILY LUBITZ - TWO BLACK HORSES
BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM OR EP ANDREA LAM - PIANO DIARY BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE/CLUB SINGLE CONFIDENCE MAN, JADE - GOSSIP
BEST INDEPENDENT PUNK ALBUM OR EP PRESS CLUB - TO ALL THE ONES I LOVE
BEST INDEPENDENT ELECTRONIC ALBUM OR EP ESSENDON AIRPORT - MOR
BEST INDEPENDENT ROCK ALBUM OR EP PLAYLUNCH - SEX ED
BEST INDEPENDENT POP ALBUM OR EP GEORGIA KNIGHT - BEANPOLE
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PPCA FOLK BITCH TRIO
BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL ABC MUSIC
|
BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM OR EP BLISS N ESO - THE MOON (THE LIGHT SIDE)
BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM OR EP
BEST INDEPENDENT CHILDREN’S ALBUM OR EP DIVER CITY - WEEKEND BABY BEST INDEPENDENT ELECTRONIC SINGLE COSMO’S MIDNIGHT - 45
BEST INDEPENDENT HEAVY ALBUM OR EP BATTLESNAKE - DAWN OF THE EXULTANTS AND THE HUNT FOR THE SHEPHERD
BEST INDEPENDENT SOUL/RNB ALBUM OR EP BUMPY - KANANA INDEPENDENT SONG OF THE YEAR JEM CASSAR-DALEY - KISS ME LIKE YOU’RE LEAVING INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOLK BITCH TRIO - NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIMENINAJIRACHI - I LOVE MY COMPUTER INDEPENDENT MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR MUSHROOM MUSIC - BLISS N ESO, THE MOON (THE LIGHT SIDE)
INDEPENDENT PUBLICITY TEAM OF THE YEAR CULT LOGIC - OCEAN ALLEY, LOVE BALLOON
INDEPENDENT MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR BALL BASS JOHN - NINAJIRACHI, FUCK MY COMPUTER
INDEPENDENT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR ANGUS STONE - DOPE LEMON, GOLDEN WOLF
|
Listen to our nominee playlist on our supporting partner platforms YouTube HERE and Amazon Music HERE.
Watch a recap of the 2025 AIR Awards highlights here.
Follow AIR and join the conversation:
air.org.au | twitter.com/ausindies | facebook.com/australianindies | instagram.com/ausindies
@ausindies | @southaustralia | #AusIndies | #indieconaus | #ADLCoM
For media enquiries please contact: This Much Talent
Sarah Guppy: sarah@thismuchtalent.net // 0406 366 752
