NT Music Awards, recognises our many outstanding creatives
It was awards-galore last week in the Red Centre, with some of the Territory’s best creatives being honoured for their creative work. See who the winners were.
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Some of the Northern Territory’s best songs, festivals, technicians and music photographers have been were recognised as part of the NT Music Awards ceremony in Alice Springs.
Multi-award winners of the night included Rrawun Maymuru and Nick Wales, with their track ‘Yolngu’ taking out both NT Song of the Year and the Electronic/Dance category.
The pair’s collaboration will see them perform Yolngu together this October as part of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s ‘Water Music’.
Alice Springs local act The Wanted Gems took home three awards for their singles ‘Lovely Distraction’ and ‘Detaching’ in the Folk, Pop, and Youth categories.
The popular twin-sister duo had a big year in 2024, releasing five singles and having one make it into Triple J’s Hottest 100 shortlist.
Darwin punk-rock act TANG performed live and took home two awards.
Their ode to the NT capital’s lifestyle, ‘Darwin Time’, won the Rock category and the People’s Choice Song of the Year.
Ted Egan AO and Nerys Evans were both inducted into the Hall of Fame as a joint award for their contributions to the Territory’s folk/singer songwriter identity.
While they were unable to attend the ceremony, Glenny Rae inducted them with a tribute alongside a video message of the presentation that happened earlier last week.
Music NT executive director Mark Smith said he was “delighted” to welcome guests and present an award.
He also thanked the NT government’s $100,000 investment into a Music Export Fund.
“Celebrating and recognising our local talent at home is always amazing,” he said.
“This year’s event in Alice Springs was another reminder that Northern Territory artists are producing some of the most exciting music in the country at the moment.”
“The announcement of this fund is seeing that investment by the Territory Government in our musicians to help them expand their networks and take their music to new audiences.”
With live performances from Central Australian acts Casii Williams and Katanga Junior, as well as Darwin acts Soul Dogs Dreamin and TANG, the local industry’s night-of-nights was a “grand celebration of Territory talent”, Music NT said.
2025 Northern Territory Music Award recipients
NT SONG OF THE YEAR
Rrawun Maymuru, Nick Wales – Yolngu
BLUES AND ROOTS
Andrew Gurruwiwi, Andrew Grimes, Dion Gurruwiwi, Marvin Witiyana Mununggurr, Alex
Garranydji Bukulaitjpi (Andrew Gurruwiwi Band) – Yaa Djamarrkuḻi
COUNTRY
Tom Curtain, Matt Scullion, Garth Porter (Tom Curtain) – Good Life
ELECTRONIC / DANCE
Rrawun Maymuru, Nick Wales – Yolngu
FOLK
Madison Hull, Micaela Hull (The Wanted Gems) – Lovely Distraction
HIP HOP / RAP
Levi Nichaloff (Yung Milla) – Bossin’
METAL / HARDCORE
Andreas Kalambokas, Kieran Pearce, Nikos Antonoglou, Lucas Sharp, Lachlan Linkson (KOH
子) – Follow Your Ghost
POP
Madison Hull, Micaela Hull (The Wanted Gems) – Detaching
ROCK
Liz Albiston, Roxanne Voulanas, Alanah White (TANG) – Darwin Time
YOUTH
Madison Hull, Micaela Hull (The Wanted Gems) – Lovely Distraction
PEOPLE’S CHOICE SONG OF THE YEAR
Liz Albiston, Roxanne Voulanas, Alanah White (TANG) – Darwin Time
HALL OF FAME
Ted Egan AO & Nerys Evans
TECH OF THE YEAR
Dirk Kelly
METRO FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
TerrorLoud
REGIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Desert Harmony Festival
HOT SHOTS
Portrait:
Jack McDonald – Ripple Effect Band – Mayawa Tour
Live:
Juran Timu – Borroloola man singing ‘Black Boy’ watching Coloured Stone live
People’s Choice:
Zac Henderson – Rhythmlord
Zac Henderson – Groove State
The full list of 2025 finalists and winners is available on the NT Music Awards website: https://musicawards.musicnt.com.au/about/finalists/
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