Music News: SoundMerch AMP returns in 2021 with $30K prize

Australia’s most prestigious music award, The Australian Music Prize (AMP), returns for its 17th instalment in 2021 revealing its nominated albums to date up for a huge $30,000 cash prize thanks to major sponsor SoundMerch.

Open to all Australian artists who have released an eligible album during the 2021 calendar year, the SoundMerch AMP will award one lucky act with the $30K cash prize for the best album of the year as decided by an expert panel of industry judges.

In a SoundMerch AMP first, this year will also feature a special international guest judge, welcoming renowned artist Billy Bragg to the diverse judging panel. Judges are currently listening to over 300 eligible 2021 albums, with more still to come as albums will continue to be added weekly right up to the end of the year, estimating to amount to upwards of 415 releases judged for the 16th annual prize.

Check out the full list of nominated albums to date via the SoundMerch AMP website, and wrap your ears around last year’s winner The Avalanches with their album ‘We Will Always Love You’.