The folk music sector makes up a large and vibrant part of the Australian music scene lending tradition, identity, regional identity, storytelling and interpretation embedded in the communities that make up this country.
The Australian Folk Music Awards Night will be held on Thursday 14 October @ 7pm (7.30pmEST 5.30pm WA) at the Nexus Arts Centre, Lion Arts Centre Adelaide. As a live and livestreamed event
Our panel of judges from around Australia have selected the following acts as the 2021 AFMA Finalists:
Traditional Folk Music Album of the Year – FINALISTS
- Cloudstreet & The Little Cloud Orchestra (Qld)
- Fiona Ross & Shane O’Mara (Vic)
- Liam Gerner and Luke Moller -The Bulletin Debate (Vic)
- Paddy Fitzgerald & Lisnacrieve (Vic)
- Perfect Pearls – Australian Pearling Songs (Various Artists) (WA)
Contemporary Folk Music Album of The Year – FINALISTS
- Bill Jackson – The Wayside Ballads Vol 3 (Vic)
- Kerryn Fields -Water (Vic)
- Miriam Lieberman – Just Transforming (NSW)
- Mzaza – The Birth and Death of Stars (Qld)
- Xani – From The Bottom of The Well (Vic)
Artist of the Year – Solo
- Claire-Anne Taylor (Tas)
- Daniel J Townsend (Tas)
- Kaurna Cronin (SA)
- Khristian Mizzi (Vic)
- Ruth Hazleton (Vic)
Artists of the Year Duo/Group/Ensemble – FINALISTS
- Bush Gothic (Vic)
- Montgomery Church (NSW)
- Rich Davies and the Low Road (Vic)
- Weeping Willows (Vic)
- We Mavericks (NSW)
AFMAs Community/Cultural Project of the Year
- Darlene Proberts & Christine Mimmocchi – ‘Singing in Language’ (NSW)
- Haystack Mountain Hermits – ‘The Horses Stay Behind’ (Qld)
- Illawarra Folk Festival (NSW)
- Nicole Murray ‘Nicole’s Anywhere Choir’ (Qld)
- Penola Coonawarra Acoustic Music Festival (SA)
Youth Folk Artist of The Year
Award recipient and Runner up to be announced
- Charm of Finches (Vic)
- Cooper Lower (Vic)
- Ella & Sienna (SA)
- Mel Taylor (Vic)
- Sadie Mustoe (Vic)
AFMAs ‘Contribution to Folk’ Award
This Award Recipient (s) will be announced at the AFMAs Awards Night on 14 October
AFMAs People’s Choice
There are NINE Finalists with the award winner to be determined by public voting / VOTE NOW for your People’s Choice Australian folk act (One vote per individual email). Voting Closes midnight EST September 30th.
The People’s Choice Award will also be announced at the AFMA Awards Night on 14 October
Peoples Choice Finalists
- Alice Cotton (NT)
- The Borderers (SA)
- Hillbilly Goats (Qld)
- Montgomery Church (NSW)
- Sásta (Qld)
- The Water Runners (NSW)
- Weeping Willows (Vic)
- Rebecca Moore (WA)
- Ruth Hazleton (Vic)