Music Victoria

Today, Music Victoria announces entries are open for the 2023 Music Victoria Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 31 October at Fed Square (in The Edge and streamed to the Big Screen in the Main Square).

This year will mark the first time that entrants do not need to be Music Victoria members, meaning everyone in the Victorian music industry are able to put themselves, artists and the venues they represent in consideration for nomination. By expanding entries to the wider community of the states ever-growing music industry, Music Victoria are predicting a significant increase in entries and engagement from 2022, which was already the largest number of entries and votes received in Music Victoria Awards’ history.

Simone Schinkel, Music Victoria’s CEO says “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and are so excited to kick off the 2023 Music Victoria Awards journey. Now in its 18th year, the Awards are a staple date on the music industry calendar, celebrating the year that was and the valuable contribution made by the Victorian music community. The recent Victorian Live Music Census uncovered that Victoria has over 1,000 live music venues, and VMDO research found at least 14,000 active releasing musicians – in 2023 we look forward to opening entries up to all of them! With all financial barriers to participation now removed, we hope to create greater accessibility and inclusion across the Victorian music industry, and a true snapshot into the great music scene we have in this state.”

​​The Music Victoria Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of musicians, venues, festivals, and industry professionals who contribute to the vibrancy and success of Victoria’s music scene. Past winners include one of Australia’s most exciting singer/songwriters, Mo’Ju, Zambian-born poet and rapper Sampa the Great, Yolŋu rapper, dancer and performer Baker Boy and Australian icon Paul Kelly. Music Victoria has inducted Archie Roach, Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton John, Michael Gudinski and Vika & Linda into the Hall of Fame. Last year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Deborah Conway AM and Helen Marcou AM & Ian “Quincy” McLean AM. 

 Music Victoria acknowledges the rich contributions made by people from a variety of backgrounds to the Victorian contemporary music scene. The Music Victoria Awards aim to acknowledge a diverse group of people as part of these Awards and strongly encourages entries from First Nations people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Deaf and Disabled people, and people from the LGBTIQA+ community.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the biggest celebration of Victorian music, before entries close on Friday 21 July. Enter yourself, your artists, your venue and your festival and celebrate our scene.