South Australian artists are among those nominated for the 2026 Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Awards, including The Tullamarines, The Superjesus, Elsy Wameyo and the Australian String Quartet, placing the state's contemporary music scene alongside some of the country's leading independent acts.

Kenyan-Australian artist Elsy Wameyo has been nominated in the Best Independent Hip Hop Album/EP category for her EP Wameyo. After moving to Adelaide as a young person, Wameyo developed her practice through music as a way to explore identity and connection, building her career through Northern Sound System in Adelaide's north and establishing herself as an artist in her own right.

The Australian String Quartet, based at the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium, is a finalist in the Best Independent Classical Album/EP category for their recording of Vanessa Perica's String Quartet No. 1, No Feeling Is Final, a work the composer has described as somewhat autobiographical.

Adelaide rock legends The Superjesus have been nominated in the Best Independent Electronic Single category for Something Good, a remix created with The Journey of a track originally released earlier in 2025.

Local indie pop band The Tullamarines, who formed on Adelaide's live music circuit, have been recognised in the Best Independent Pop Album/EP category for their EP Safety Blanket, following a Triple J Hottest 100 debut and an appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

The AIR Awards recognise achievement across Australia's independent music sector, with this year's nominees appearing alongside major acts such as The Cat Empire and The Wiggles. The awards will be held at Adelaide Town Hall in July as part of a broader week of industry activity.

Check out all of this year’s AIR Award nominees.

Alongside Indie-Con Australia and A2IM's Indie Week Australia Edition, the program will bring independent artists and music industry delegates from across Australia and internationally to South Australia. Across three days, Adelaide will again become a meeting point for independent labels, artists, managers, distributors and music industry leaders, creating opportunities for connection, collaboration and professional development.

Adelaide has hosted this annual program since 2017, following its designation as Australia's only UNESCO City of Music, and it has since become a key fixture on the national music industry calendar.

The AIR Awards and Indie-Con are delivered in partnership with the Music Development Office, reflecting ongoing support for South Australia's music sector and its connection to national and international industry.

Registrations for Indie-Con and Indie Week are currently open.