Can Australian Music Survive in the Age of Spotify?
Congratulations to APRA AMCOS on a landmark 2026 Music Awards
The 2026 APRA Music Awards was a fitting centenary celebration for APRA AMCOS, bringing together 100 years of Australian songwriting history at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
From the opening performance to the final award, the evening was a genuine showcase of the extraordinary breadth and diversity of Australian music.
Special congratulations to First Nations artists Emily Wurramara, who took home the Emerging Songwriter of the Year award.
The evening opened with a powerful performance by Christine Anu and Ngulmiya that set a deeply moving and celebratory tone, while BARKAA brought electrifying energy with her bold rendition of Amyl and The Sniffers’ Song of the Year winner “Jerkin’”.
The night’s big winners were Amyl and The Sniffers who took home three awards – Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year and Most Performed Rock Work for “Jerkin’”, along with the acclaimed Songwriter of the Year award, appointed by the APRA Board, following their award in 2025 for “U Should Not Be Doing That”.
Here’s to another 100 years of honouring Australia’s incredible songwriting community. Congratulations to all the winners, performers and everyone at APRA AMCOS who made it happen.
Incredible finale with Peter Garret, The Presets and a stack of extra drummers!
Playlunch & ALMBC EGM Ant McKenna
