Honouring the tenth anniversary of Adelaide’s designation as a UNESCO city of music, Music SA hosted a gala event on Tuesday night at the Entertainment Centre to recognise the state’s musical talent. After a red carpet entrance, local all-girl rock group winners, Oscar the Wild, played a short, energetic set. Cliffy Wilson “Welcomed to Country”, before emcees Troy J Been and Sose Fuamoli introduced Hon Andrea Michaels MP, Minister of Arts, to speak. Music SA CEO John Glenn also said some words.
The awards came thick and fast with Industry Awards such as Best Live Photograph and Best Music Video. Performances by local acts J-Milla and Lonelyspeck kept the evening lively.
aleksiah and DEM MOB led the night’s honours, each taking home four awards across the Major, Industry, and People’s Choice categories, a remarkable achievement for two of the state’s most influential acts. Oscar the Wild and Ella Ion also claimed two awards each. Oscar the Wild were recently announced as the local support for AC/DC at the bp Grand Final concert, winning Best Group and the People’s Choice Award for Rock. Ella Ion took home Best New Artist and the People’s Choice Award for Folk.
Also taking out two awards was Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival with the festival taking out both Best Large Music Festival for the Adelaide edition and Best Regional Music Venue, Festival or Music Event, for their Limestone Coast-based festival.
Other highlights included effie isobel winning Best Music Video for “Moon Made” and Lion Arts Factory named Best Live Music Venue. Celebrating creatives from behind the scenes, Hannah Louise was awarded Best Manager, while Mario Späte and Lucinda Machin jointly received Best Studio Engineer/Producer.
Our photographer John Goodridge has collated a selection of highlight images from the evening. A full list of winners is below;
2025 SA MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
MAJOR AWARDS
Presented by Moshtix
Best Song Presented by Wonderlick: aleksiah (Clothes Off)
Best New Artist Presented by WOMADelaide: Ella Ion
Best Regional Artist: DEM MOB
Best Solo Artist: Presented by Hindley Street Music Hall: aleksiah
Best Group Presented by Moshtix: Oscar the Wild
Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist Presented by Feel Good Nunga Radio PBA FM: DEM MOB
Best Release (EP/Album) Presented by Against The Grain: aleksiah (Cry About It)
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Presented by The Music
Best Cover Art Presented by Version Design: TOWNS (Dan Steinart)
Best Large Music Festival Presented by Event Rigging Solutions: Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival
Best Live Music Photograph: Elise De Simoni (Amyl and the Sniffers)
Best Live Music Venue Presented by AHA: Lion Arts Factory
Best Live Technician Presented by Adelaide Backline & Production Hire: Luke Hancock
Best Manager Presented by ThreeD: Hannah Louise
Best Music Educator Presented by Carclew: DEM MOB
Best Music Video: Grace Stewart (Moon Made – effie isobel)
Best Regional Music Venue/Festival/Event Presented by AHA: Limestone Coast Beer & BBQ Festival
Best Small Festival Presented by Woodville Town Hall: Porch and Recreation
Best Studio Presented by Northern Sound System: Wizard Tone Studios
Best Studio Engineer/Producer Presented by Novatech: Mario Späte & Lucinda Machin
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Presented by The Note
Blues & Roots Presented by Derringers: Laura Hill
Country: River Rose
Electronic Presented by StoreDJ: TONIX
Experimental & Art: Violet Harlot
Folk: Ella Ion
Heavy Presented by Froth and Fury Festival: Raccoon City
Hip Hop Presented by The Gov: DEM MOB
Jazz Presented by 10 Gallon Hat: Live Slug Reaction
Pop: aleksiah
Punk Presented by UniBar: LOLA
Rock presented by The Austral: Oscar the Wild
Soul/Funk/RnB: WANDERERS
The South Australian Music Awards exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. Presented by MusicSA with support from the South Australian Government, major partners, and sponsors, the Awards have become the state’s “night of nights” for music, attracting national acclaim and honouring the diverse talent of South Australia’s artists and industry leaders.
