Australian Women In Music Awards Panel & Performances Program Revealed

The 2023 Australian Women In Music Awards are fast approaching, with organisers today revealing the entire program for the two-day conference and performance program on Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 September in Brisbane.

In addition to the program's unveiling, tickets to attend this year’s Australian Women In Music Awards are on sale now.

Comedian and writer Yumi Stynes and facilitator Nartarsha Bamblett (Queen Acknowledgements) will host the two-day event, with the second day containing the award ceremony to be broadcast on ABC TV and iView on Friday, 29 September.

The First Nations soundtrack has been commissioned and written by GLVES and Arrowbird, produced by Arrowbird and mixed and mastered by Antonia Gauci.

Twenty awards will be presented at this year’s ceremony, with the 2023 AWMA Honour Roll to be announced momentarily.

“AWMA will always be at the forefront of change in the Australian Music Industry, and we continue to insist the industry adopt gender equality as a core music industry value,” Executive Producer & Program Director Vicki Gordon said in a press release.

“AWMA's mission is to give voice to a dynamic community of voices and to showcase performances that exemplify the strengths and diversity of Australian Women in Music in a powerful, inclusive and unique celebration.”

Below, you can find the full program details. In a huge highlight, Absolutely Everybody singer Vanessa Amorosi is returning to Australia from her home in Los Angeles for an intimate Q&A and will perform at this year’s AWMAs.

The first day of the AWMA Conference program is led by The Voice, a panel that explores First Nations women’s voices in music and the arts. Beyond The Hype then tackles some tricky questions in the music industry, such as “Is the music industry just paying lip service to diversity?” Musician and disability advocate Eliza Hull leads the third Forum, Accessible All Areas.

On day two, things heat up with Breaking Metal Barriers, a conference that asks if the heavy music space is inclusive of women. The second day also hosts the highly anticipated In Conversation With Vanessa Amorosi, a First Nations Women’s Music Showcase called Sister You Are A Queen, and leads to the award ceremony at The Tivoli.

“In my own experience, I’ve worked with some incredible women throughout my career,” Amorosi said in a statement. “My current team, including my management, record label, booking agent and branding agencies, are all run by women.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Vicki Gordon throughout my career; she was a part of my journey all through my success when I first started, and the memories I have are nothing but influential and hardworking. I’m so looking forward to performing and supporting AWMA this year and to celebrate the women in our industry.”

Tickets to the 2023 AWMAs are on sale now via Oztix. You can find all the award nominees here.

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS 2023 PROGRAM 

TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER @ HOTEL X, BRISBANE 

CONFERENCE DAY 1 

CONFERENCE CONVENOR 

Yumi Stynes - Feminist television and radio presenter, podcaster and author 

FORUM 1: THE VOICE 

The changing significance of First Nations women’s voices in music and the arts. 

Facilitator: Toni Janke – Singer, Songwriter Consultant, Toni Janke Productions 

Panellists: Nartarsha Bamblett (Queen Acknowledgements), Deline Briscoe and more to be announced. 

FORUM 2: BEYOND THE HYPE 

Is the music industry just paying lip service to diversity? 

Facilitator: Athesia - Haitian French Canadian/Australian multi-lingual entertainer and jazz singer-songwriter Panellists: Zela Margossian – Australian pianist of Armenian heritage; Vyvienne Abla - Director and Executive Producer of  Vyva Entertainment, Gloria Kolya - Singer, songwriter and dancer based in Gadigal/Sydney 

FORUM 3: ACCESSIBLE ALL AREAS 

Is the future of music accessible to disabled women? 

Facilitator: Eliza Hull - Musician, Writer, Disability Advocate. 

Panellists: Maddie Little - Festival Director, Undercover Artist Festival, Access Consultant, Actor, Singer, Tanya Batt (BATTS) - Disabled Musical Artist, Advocate; Elly May Barnes - Disabled Musical Artist, Advocate. 

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 

FORUM 4: BREAKING METAL BARRIERS 

The evolution of women in the heavy music scene. 

Facilitator: Ebony Story - Music Journalist 

Panellists: Candice Bankovacki – Vocalist, Crave Death; Tiana Speter, Owner & Editor, The Soundcheck; Emmy Mack – Vocalist and music journalist, RedHook 

IN CONVERSATION WITH VANESSA AMOROSI  

Facilitator: Yumi Stynes 

FIRST NATIONS WOMEN’S MUSIC SHOWCASE – ‘SISTER YOU ARE A QUEEN’ 

WHAT’S GOLDEN @ The Tivoli, Brisbane 

CURATOR: Dizzy Doolan 

MCs: Dizzy Doolan & Hope One 

ARTISTS: 

• GLVES 

• Jem Cassar-Daley 

• Kristal West 

• The Merindas 

• The Briscoe Sisters 

• Lomandra Love 

• Suga Cane Mamas 

• Kaweyova

AWARDS CEREMONY, CONCERT & PARTY: Wednesday 27 September @ The Tivoli, Brisbane 

MCs: Yumi Stynes & Nartarsha Bamblett (Queen Acknowledgements) 

ARTISTS: 

• Vanessa Amorosi 

• Sarah McLeod 

• Vika & Linda 

• Beccy Cole 

• Dami Im 

• Hot Brown Honey 

• Samira El Koussa 

• Candice Bankovacki 

• Véronique Serret 

HOUSE BAND: 

• Zoe Hauptmann – MD & Bassist 

• Sarah Belkner – Keys 

• Kat Ayala – Guitar 

• Lozz Benson – Drums 

CREATIVE TEAM 

• Program Director Vicki Gordon  

• Ceremony Director Gina Hall 

• Music Director Zoe Hauptmann 

• First Nations Curators Dizzy Doolan & Toni Janke