2026 AAM Awards: See the Nominations
Nominations are announced in full for the Association of Artist Managers’ fifth annual awards, which returns next month to Sydney’s Crowbar.
Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi (Amyl And The Sniffers) are a strong chance to add to their collection with a nomination for artist manager of the year, a category the pair won at the inaugural AAM Awards in 2022.
This year, Ubaldi and Parisi will duke it out with Weird Fishes’ Aidan McLaren and Joe Miles (Boy & Bear, The Dreggs, Pete Murray, Steph Strings), Heartstop Music’s Alastair Burns (Folk Bitch Trio, Marlon Williams), and UNIFIED Music Group’s Caleb Williams (Radhika Das) and Dan Nascimento (Ocean Alley).
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Manager of the year is one of seven categories that will be presented on the day, along with breakthrough manager of the year, emerging manager of the year and the community engagement award, all recognizing notable achievements and activity from January 2025 to December 2025.
Set for April 29, the AAM’s annual ceremony represents “some of the most influential, innovative and successful artists from around the country,” and salutes the managers who have “contributed to uplifting Australian artists and their music on a global scale,” reads a statement from the organization. “We look forward to celebrating their unwavering dedication and significant impact – and announcing the winners – on April 29.”
Finalists in all categories have been determined thorough consultation with a panel of respected representatives from different areas of the Australian and international music industry.
Also on the day, AAM will present the Legacy Award, which is curated by the trade body’s board, and the Patron’s Gift Award, curated by the AAM patrons. The 2026 APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award will also be presented. Broadcaster and comedian Matt Okine is tapped to host the ceremony.
“The AAM Awards are a chance to pause and recognise the managers who, over the past 12 months, have quietly steered careers through that reality, building sustainable pathways for artists, often against the odds,” comments AAM executive director Maggie Collins. “We’re looking forward to uncovering those stories and celebrating the central role managers play in holding together Australia’s music ecosystem.”
Presented by White Sky, this year’s show, like all previous editions, will be a lunchtime gathering before the APRA Music Awards. Last year’s edition was presented in Melbourne.
The not-for-profit AAM boasts more than 400 artist manager members, representing over 1,250 Australian artists globally. Read more here.
Finalists for 2026 AAM Awards:
Manager of the Year (Presented by White Sky)
Aidan McLaren & Joe Miles (Weird Fishes)
Roster: Boy & Bear, The Dreggs, Pete Murray, Steph Strings, Tim Hart, RAGEFLOWER
Alastair Burns (Heartstop Music)
Roster: Folk Bitch Trio, Marlon Williams
Caleb Williams (UNIFIED Music Group)
Roster: Radhika Das, Jahnavi Harrison, Bodyjar, The Amity Affliction, Premanjali, Violent Soho (Co-Manager)
Dan Nascimento (UNIFIED Music Group)
Roster: Ocean Alley, Jack Botts
Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi (Sundowner Artists)
Roster: Amyl and The Sniffers, Grace Cummings, The Gnomes, Girl and Girl, Nice Biscuit (Consultant Managers), Baby Cool (Consultant Managers)
Breakthrough Manager of the Year (Presented by DMT Law Firm)
Ashlyn & Ken Dinsdale (Goldspur Entertainment)
Roster: Mack Geiger, Briana Dinsdale
Christopher Kevin Au (24 Karat Enterprises)
Roster: POSSESHOT, SPEED (Co-Manager), Shady Nasty (Co-Manager), FUKHED (Co-Manager)
Jade Nazareth (One Louder)
Roster: Matthew Ifield
Melody Forghani (Twnty Three MGMT)
Roster: Shady Nasty (Co-Manager), These New South Whales, Stella Bridie, Parissa Tosif, Ashwarya (Lead Manager), GAUCI (Co-Manager), Dogworld (Co-Manager)
Nick Lynagh (UNIFIED Music Group)
Roster: Wade Forster (Co-Manager), Brad Cox (Co-Manager), ISHAN (Co-Manager)
Emerging Manager of the Year (Presented by PPCA)
Ali Tomoana (Soul Has No Tempo)
Roster: Miss Kaninna
Beau Somers (BASE LEVEL ONE)
Roster: Dear Seattle, Lucky, STUMPS, Fletcher Matthews
Darcy O’Brien (Wildfire Music Management)
Roster: Go-Jo, Yes Boone, Ullah
Hugh Cruickshank (moretocome entertainment)
Roster: Velvet Trip, Le Shiv
Rick Bridgman (Good Intent)
Roster: Close Counters, Fool Nelson
Community Engagement Award (Presented by The Orchard)
Ali Tomoana (Soul Has No Tempo)
Roster: Miss Kaninna
Greg Carey (Grow Yourself Up / Ripple Effect)
Roster: The Rubens, Mia Wray, Cloud Control, Urthboy, Rob Amoruso, Pip Norman, Miiesha
Laura Semple (Hunger Digital)
Roster: Dirty Versachi, Dyan Tai, GUARD, Kit Genesis, Lara Villani
Tani Webb (First Nations Focus)
Roster: FLEWNT, INKABEE, Taija