Swapmeet, DEM MOB and Elsy Wameyo each took home three awards at the 2026 South Australian Music Awards, held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre on a night that celebrated the state's contemporary music scene across major categories, people's choice honours, and industry awards. Swapmeet led the night with four total wins including Best Group and Best Release for "Mount Zero", while DEM MOB became the most decorated artist in SA Music Awards history with 13 awards in four years, and Bad//Dreems were inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame.
SWAPMEET, DEM MOB AND ELSY WAMEYO WIN BIG AT THE 2026 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MUSIC AWARDS
The stars of South Australian music took centre stage tonight as the 2026 South Australian Music Awards (SA Music Awards) celebrated another year of extraordinary talent, creativity, and achievement.
Presented by MusicSA, the SA Music Awards returned to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, bringing together artists, industry leaders, and music fans for a spectacular evening honouring the very best of the state’s contemporary music scene.
Swapmeet led the night’s honours with four awards across the Major and People’s Choice categories, taking home three Major Awards, Best Song for “I Know!”, Best Group, and Best Release (EP/Album) for “Mount Zero”; along with the People’s Choice Award for Rock.
Swapmeet on winning the awards said,
“We are a band that grew up in South Australia, made our records in South Australia, and we will continue to pay homage to the unceded land that has given us so much opportunity. Being recognised by the SA Music Awards is an honour and one we really appreciate.”
Nationally celebrated First Nations Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara hip hop group DEM MOB took home three awards. Best Regional Artist and Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist in the Major categories, and Best Music Educator in the Industry Awards – cementing their place as the most decorated artist in the history of the SA Music Awards, with 13 awards in just the past four years.
Elsy Wameyo also took home three awards, winning Best Solo Artist and Best Music Video for “WAMEYO”, and she was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Hip Hop.
Elsy Wameyo (Photo Evie Wonder)
Other highlights included The Tullamarines taking home Best New Artist and Best Cover Art for “Safety Blanket”, WOMADelaide taking out Best Large Music Festival, and Hindley Street Music Hall being named Best Live Music Venue.
Regional favourites Space Jams was awarded Best Regional Music Venue or Festival, while Caltowie Chilled Out ’n’ Fired Up Music Festival was crowned as Best Small Festival.
The night also celebrated those behind the scenes and the women leading South Australia’s music scene, with Rachel Whitford awarded Best Manager, and Kokatha, Wirangu and Mirning woman and owner of Balya Productions Letisha Ackland receiving Best Live Production Crew.
Other industry awards saw James Brown win Best Studio Engineer/Producer, and Wundenberg’s Recording Studio recognised as Best Studio.
Alongside the independently judged category winners, three special awards recognised outstanding achievement within the South Australian Music Industry. The Neville Clark Award, honouring the late Neville Clark, a leading mastering engineer and owner of Disk Edits, was presented to sound production graduates, Ellie Moffattfrom SAE Creative Media Institute and Felicity Slee from TAFE SA.
The UNESCO Best International Collaboration Award, chosen by Adelaide UNESCO City of Music, went to Breeze, and the MusicSA Community Achievement Award, selected by the MusicSA Board, was awarded to singer songwriter Nancy Bates in recognition of her outstanding community and First Nations work in South Australia.
Folk Any Young Mechanic [Evie Wonder]
The night also saw Adelaide rockers Bad//Dreems inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame plus exceptional live performances from Rob Edwards, Ella Ion, Nat Luna, and Any Young Mechanic
MusicSA CEO, Christine Schloithe, said:
“Congratulations to every 2026 finalist and award recipient. We know the music talent and expertise in this state is exceptional and this has been reflected in every award and category. We’re so pleased to celebrate with all nominees, winners and South Australia’s music community tonight.”
South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts; Kyam Maher MLC said.
“The South Australian Music Awards winners reflect the depth of talent, creativity and innovation across our state's music industry. From emerging artists to established industry leaders, they are helping shape the future of South Australian music and building audiences at home and beyond.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists on their achievements and their contribution to the cultural life and vibrancy of our state A special congratulations to Swapmeet for taking out four awards, three of them major, including Best Song.”
Bad::Dreems inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame [Evie Wonder]
