After years of severe restrictions due to COVID-19, Adelaide has been nominated for Best Global Music City on the world stage.

Empty Threat performing at Womaderade 2022.Photo: Jack Fenby
Winner will be decided by 11th Music City Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
The Music Cities Awards program is an international competition aimed at recognizing and rewarding the best uses of music for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in cities and places around the world.
Along with Best Global Music City, the City of Adelaide’s Friday Night Live incentive scheme was also nominated for the Best Late Night Economy initiative.
Adelaide’s music scene is recovering as COVID-19 restrictions ease this year, and artists are regaining hope for a more vibrant future for the city.
Awards will be announced in November 2022.
Joe Hay, General Manager of the UNESCO Adelaide City of Music, was invited to speak at the convention.
Adelaide was recognized and designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2015.
“Adelaide has endured the devastating impact of COVID, but the creativity and resilience of our artists and the music industry is rebuilding through the diverse supporting infrastructure built over the past decade.
A spokesperson for the Adelaide City of Music said:The process included self-nominations, and applications were evaluated by a review panel and shortlisted.
Applications are judged based on activity that has occurred in the last 12 months and each city’s future plans and vision.
“The application has been put in place to support our work in rebuilding from COVID, our diverse musical ecologies (contemporary, classical, educational, festival) and the development of artists, music professionals and musical practices. We are focused on diverse infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.
“Looking forward, we focused on restructuring activities, export and international engagement strategies, music education, health and technology.”
City of Adelaide CEO Claire Mockler says music plays a key role in bringing the city to life.
“Our Friday Night Live initiative provided a platform to support artists and encourage people to return to the city,” says Mockler.
Adelaide is a music city to be reckoned with, says local musician Stuart Patterson, who leads the raucous psychedelic rock group Empty Threat.
“If you look at Adelaide’s history, it’s always built really special music,” Patterson said.
Patterson attributes the success of Adelaide’s music scene at the local level to its network of supporting venues suitable for a wide variety of artists at all levels.
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“I hope it continues with all development, but I think there are some really good places to start.
“I think Adelaide has the potential to become a much more global stage.
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