Tickets are on sale tomorrow (March 31) for the highly anticipated Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA) and Conference in Brisbane on May 17 & 18, 2022, supported by the Queensland Government, with high profile performers and finalists gathering for a timely return to the stage as artists and music practitioners across the country get back into full swing.
The Awards, featuring a stellar line-up of performances across classical, pop, rock and legends like Tina Arena at the Tivoli on May 18, can be booked on Ticketmaster. A Hip Hop showcase at the Tivoli on the evening of May 17 featuring Dizzy Doolan, Hot Brown Honey, Kaylah Truth, Kween G, Lady Lash, Red Belly and Shakaya can also be booked at Ticketmaster.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence Shannon Fentiman welcomed the return of the awards to an in-person event.
“Queensland is home to so many incredible women musicians, and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate their achievments after what has been an extremely challenging past couple of years for the industry,” Minister Fentiman said.
“These awards will recognise the talents of women from across the country who are inspiring young girls everywhere to follow their passion in music.
“The AWMA play an important role providing visiblity to the challenges facing women in the industry and help to create more opportunities for Australian women in music, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“The First Nations and remote community focus of this year’s program is particularly exciting as it will provide some fantastic development and exposure opportunities for emerging female talent.
“We still have a way to go when it comes to achieving gender equity and diversity but it’s events like these which provide a stage for these important conversations to happen.”
It will be the third instalment of the event combined with an all day industry conference program at Hotel X, also in Fortitude Valley on May 17, with tickets available through Eventbrite for half day and full day sessions covering Women in Hip Hop, Workplace Safety and Sexual Harassment, Collective Change and Well-being and Youth Mental Health.
The AWMA Honour Roll will add to its legends Helen Reddy and Judith Durham AO by inducting Dame Olivia Newton-John AC DBE with a special tribute by Tina Arena for Newton-John on the night.
With an array of the nation’s leading female music practitioners and artists as finalists as well as an incredible array of diverse emerging talent, AWMA’s Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon said the event would mark a new high on the long path out of COVID for the music industry with the event being broadcast on ABC TV for the very first time.
“With our peers from all areas of industry, across every state including regional and remote communities, AWMA provides a unique opportunity for us to come together to acknowledge the value and contributions of women in music and celebrate the significant shift we have achieved in such a short time,” she said.
After two years of disruption as COVID hit it hard, Gordon said the #METOO Movement became a lighting rod focus in the Australian landscape when a new generation of women such as Jaguar Jonze and Tamara Georgopoulos voiced loudly their call to end the toxic culture in the Australian music industry. “We owe them both a great debt” she said, “but for now it’s time to get back on the stage, to celebrate our achievements and party.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city was proud to be home to Australian Women in Music Awards and Conference since its inception in 2018 and recognise women across the creative sector.
“These awards continue to highlight the talented and passionate women that are breaking ground across all areas of the music industry,” Cr Schrinner said.
“After a shocking two years due to the pandemic, the AWMAs are helping bring our local music industry back to its vibrant best and we can’t wait to see events return to venues.”
And the celebrations will cover the spectrum of music with a joyous premiere performance of a new classical compositon commissioned by AWMA announced on International Womens Day by Elena Kats-Chernin – Jubilissima to be performed with trumpeter Leanne Sullivan.
Other artists performing this year include Emma Donovan & Kee àhn, Tina Arena, BARKAA & Dizzy Doolan, Sahara Beck, DJ Red Belly, Sandy Evans & Satsuki Odamura, Kween G & Lady Lash, Hot Brown Honey, Montaigne, Shakaya and Kaylah Truth.
MC ‘s Yumi Stymes and Dizzy Doolan will lead a chorus of cheers for all the finalists which include artists Kate Ceberano, Deborah Cheetham AO, Elena Kats Chernin, Genevieve Lacey, and Tania Doko; music journalists Sosefina Fuamoli and Poppy Reid; emerging artist Glves; industry leaders Marianna Annas and Jodi Field; Dina Bassile, Sahara Herald and Sonja Horbelt up for the inaugural Tina Arena Special Impact Award alongside producers Antonia Gauci, Alice Ivy, Annie Peterson and more.
A full list of finalists can be found here
Ceremony and Awards tickets on sale MARCH 31 from 11am Qld local time Ticketmaster.
The AWMA Conference on May 17 at Hotel X will include a film screening and a key note ‘in conversation’ with Tina Arena and Yumi Stynes. Tickets on sale on eventbrite.
The inaugural Queensland First Nations Women’s Hip Hop showcase Love For My Sisters, curated by Dizzy Doolan, will premier on the evening of May 17 at the Tivoli – What’s Golden with tickets on sale from 11am Qld Local time tomorrow Ticketmaster.
This year’s House band led by Music Director and Bassist Zoe Hauptmann includes some of Australia finest musicians with Sarah Belkner on Keys, Ali Foster on Drums and Kat Ayala on Guitar.