MusicSA is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 South Australian Music Awards, celebrating another outstanding year of talent, creativity and achievement across South Australia’s contemporary music industry.
Bringing together artists, industry professionals, venues, businesses and music lovers, the awards recognise the incredible people and organisations contributing to the strength, diversity and continued growth of our local music scene.
The evening featured performances from Rob Edwards, Ella Ion, Nat Luna and Any Young Mechanic, with hosts Troy Sincock and Sosefina Fuamol leading the celebrations.
MusicSA would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the 2026 winners and nominees, and thank everyone who joined us to celebrate South Australian music.
We also acknowledge and thank our event partners, sponsors, presenters, performers, supporters and everyone who helped make this year’s awards possible.
Photo by Jack Fenby
Major Award Winners:
Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist
SPONSORED BY NOVATECH
Dem Mob
Best Group
SPONSORED BY MOSHTIX
Swapmeet
Best New Artist
SPONSORED BY WOMADELAIDE
The Tullamarines
Best Regional Artist
SPONSORED BY COUNTRY ARTS SA
Dem Mob
Best Release (EP / Album)
SPONSORED BY AGAINST THE GRAIN
Swapmeet – Mount Zero
Best Solo Artist
SPONSORED BY GA ENTERTAINMENT
Elsy Wameyo
Best Song
SPONSORED BY THREE D
Swapmeet – I Know!
Industry Award Winners:
Best Cover Art
SPONSORED BY VISUALCOM
The Tullamarines – Safety Blanket
Best Large Music Festival
SPONSORED BY EVENT RIGGING SOLUTIONS
WOMADelaide
Best Live Music Photograph
SPONSORED BY THE AUSTRAL
Justin White – I Killed the Prom Queen
Best Live Music Venue
SPONSORED BY AHA
Hindley Street Music Hall
Best Live Production Crew
SPONSORED BY ALMBC
Letisha Ackland
Best Manager
SPONSORED BY ADELAIDE VENUE MANAGEMENT
Rachel Whitford
Best Music Educator
SPONSORED BY CARCLEW
DEM MOB
Best Music Video
SPONSORED BY JC DECAUX
Elsy Wameyo – Elsy Wameyo (WAMEYO)
Best Regional Music Venue
SPONSORED BY AHA
Space Jams
Best Small Festival
SPONSORED BY WOODVILLE TOWN HALL
Caltowie Chilled Out ’n’ Fired Up Music Festival
Best Studio
SPONSORED BY SAE
Wundenberg’s Recording Studio
Best Studio Engineer / Producer
SPONSORED BY ADELAIDE BACKLINE AND PRODUCTION HIRE
James Brown
People’s Choice Award Winners:
Blues & Roots
SPONSORED BY DERRINGERS
The Sundials
Country
SPONSORED BY THE NOTE
Caressa
Electronic
SPONSORED BY STOREDJ
Seek N Destroy
Experimental & Art
SPONSORED BY ADELAIDE FESTIVAL
Praise Mangena
Folk
SPONSORED BY NOVATECH
Any Young Mechanic
Heavy
SPONSORED BY FROTH AND FURY FESTIVAL
Sacrificial Larynx
Hip Hop
SPONSORED BY THE GOV
Elsy Wameyo
Jazz
SPONSORED BY ODDIO
Live Slug Reaction
Pop
SPONSORED BY HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL
effie isobel
Punk
SPONSORED BY PIRATE LIFE
TOWNS
Rock
SPONSORED BY UNIBAR
Swapmeet
Soul / Funk / RnB
SPONSORED BY NEXSTAGE
OPULENCE
Special Award Winners:
UNESCO Best International Collaboration Award
Breeze
MusicSA Community Achievement Award
Nancy Bates
The South Australian Music Awards are held on Kaurna Yerta.
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