The SAM Awards exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry and take place annually in Adelaide, South Australia every November. It has become a stand out fixture on the UNESCO Adelaide, City of Music’s calendar of music events and is a “night of nights” for the South Australian music community.

The 2019 SAM Awards will be held at Bonython Hall, Adelaide University on Friday 22nd November & hosted by Triple J’s Declan Byrne (Home and Hosed).  

The SAM Awards are presented annually by Music SA with support from the South Australian Government, our major partners and a variety of generous sponsors from within the SA music community. Every year we see a star-studded red carpet full of SA musicians celebrating another year of national and international success. From West Thebarton’s huge award grabs, to Adrian Eagle’s magical opening performance, the 2018 SAM Awards reached national acclaim. Music Industry delegates from far and wide come to Adelaide every year to experience the distinctive SAM Awards and, this year, it’s time for a huge celebration of SA talent.

The inaugural South Australian Music Awards took place in November 2015, after having been previously run as the Fowler’s Live Music Awards since 2012. Not-for-profit organisation Music SA took custodianship of the rebranded SAM Awards in 2015 and continues to build and grow the event to this very day.

Acknowledgement of Country
The SAM Awards acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains, the traditional custodians of this land. We acknowledge their continuing culture and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Pop Award

– presented by The Gov
Heaps Good Friends

Punk Award

– presented by Crown & Anchor
Young Offenders

Rock Award

– presented by Fat Controller
West Thebarton

World Music Award

– presented by WOMADelaide
The Coconut Kids