Get Ready for the 2026 Air Awards with Epic New Changes!

Hey, music lovers! The countdown to the 2026 Air Awards is officially on, and it's time to get hyped! The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) is back with some killer updates to shake up your playlist world. This year is extra special as it marks the 20th anniversary of the awards, and you know what that means—more categories, more music, and more celebration!

Mark your calendars for July 30 because the Adelaide Town Hall will be buzzing with excitement as the hottest names in independent music gather to celebrate their amazing talents. With nominations open now and closing on March 13, the indie scene is gearing up to crown its new legends!

AIR is all about keeping things fresh, and they've split their dance and electronic categories to spotlight awesome new tracks. Say hello to the Best Independent Dance/Club Single category, specially for those jams that make you lose it on the dance floor. Think house, techno, trance, drum & bass, and garage—basically, if it comes with a DJ service, it's in the mix!

But don't worry if you're more about groove than grind, because the Best Independent Electronic Single is here to spotlight the groovy electronic vibes that aren't just about club scenes. It’s all about showing love to the diverse ways electronic music rocks our world.

The reimagined categories are all about celebrating Australia's rise as a global electronic powerhouse, with our indie artists touring the world and taking over streaming charts. The awesome 2026 lineup features 22 categories, including your fave titles like Independent Album of the Year and Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year. So, who will follow in the footsteps of past winners like Amyl and the Sniffers and Flume? It's gonna be epic!

Don't miss out on the Indie-Con Australia conference happening alongside A2IM’s Indie Week from July 29–31. It's going down at Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts in Adelaide and promises to be a hive of creative genius and inspiration.

The Air Awards are stepping into their third decade with flair, recalibrating the vibes of Australia's indie scene and taking electronic music to new heights. Are you ready for the adventures that await? Trust us, this is one show you don't want to miss!