In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the APRA Music Awards will change its format for 2020 and will be streamed online for the first time to music fans around the world as a virtual event on Tuesday 26 May. The event was due to take place on Tuesday 28 April at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
Streaming details will be announced in the coming weeks. The format will feature presenters, winners and special performances by the Song of the Year finalists.
Chair of the APRA Board, Jenny Morris said: “This is an unprecedented time in all our lives, it’s not easy to make any sort of decision right now about the near future. But everyone involved with the APRA Music Awards decided that going ahead with the awards was something we could and should do – albeit in a very different way, but one that brings the awards to music fans far and wide for the first time. It’s important to celebrate and acknowledge the success and artistry of our songwriters whose work enrichens our lives. They will be the ones who help us get through this time.”
In an expansion of the APRA Music Awards, APRA AMCOS has introduced the category of Most Performed Alternative Work to its list of awards based on statistical analysis. The award has been created to acknowledge the significant commercial and cultural impact of the alternative genre.
The category of Overseas Recognition Award has found a new home within the Global APRA Music Awards, recently held in Los Angeles, Nashville and London. These awards recognise artistic excellence and outstanding success of APRA members in international markets. The inaugural Global APRA Music Awards series saw producer/songwriter Joel Little, screen music composer Jed Kurzel and singer/songwriter and record producer Rick Price take out the Overseas Recognition Award in L.A, London and Nashville respectively.
Curating the event’s music performances is award-winning singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke, who will return for her second year as the Awards Musical Director.
The nominees for the reimagined 2020 APRA Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday 7 April.
2020 APRA MUSIC AWARDS CATEGORIES
Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Most Performed Australian Work
Most Performed Alternative Work
Most Performed Australian Work Overseas
Most Performed Country Work
Most Performed Blues & Roots Work
Most Performed Dance Work
Most Performed Rock Work
Most Performed Pop Work
Most Performed Urban Work
Most Performed International Work
Licensee of the Year