Dan Sultan will lead a line up of legendary Aboriginal musicians at this year’s inaugural National Indigenous Music Awards on August 19th in Darwin.

The Deadlys-awarded – and current ‘Male Artist of the Year’ ARIA winner – is proud to bring his full band to Darwin, to lead what is sure to be an historical night.

Also headlining are seminal Indigenous rock outfits Warumpi Band, Coloured Stone and No Fixed Address.

They will also be joined by the Red Flag Dancers from Numbulwar, featuring the remarkable vocal powers of songman Grant Nundhirribala from band Yilila.

Very much “looking forward to getting up to Darwin”, Dan Sultan (whose mother is Arrernte from Alice Springs) says “we have gotten great receptions when we’ve been lucky to get up that way”.

“To be involved in such a great event as the NIMAs – and on the same stage as these legendary bands – is a real honour. I can’t wait for this night”.

Presented by Music NT, for the past seven years the Indigenous Music Awards (IMAs) has been hosted in Darwin and open only to Northern Territory artists.

2011 sees the introduction of a national awards system as a natural evolution of the Indigenous Music Awards. This year Music NT – with the support of the NT government – has taken the next step and evolved the Awards into a national event to ensure a true representation.

So in 2011 the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) are born.

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Indigenous Music Industry, and is a peer nominated Award.

“Music NT is excited to begin the transition to a national Indigenous music awards,” says Mark Smith, manager of Music NT.

“It’s the opportunity to make this amazing event open and accessible to Indigenous musicians from across the country and we are grateful to have the support of the NT government behind us”.

Held under the stars at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre, an audience from all over Australia will gather at the National Indigenous Music Awards ceremony on August 19, 2011, to applaud the winners, enjoy the performances and soak up the ambiance of a night for music lovers of all ages and all cultures to enjoy.

The NIMAs will be MC’d by crowd favourites, Darwin musician Ali Mills and actor/musician Rob Collins.

Nominations are now open for music industry members to cast their votes for the National Indigenous Music Awards.

Read more info here and visit the official NIMAs website to cast your vote.

Source: NIMAs media release. Edited by Megan Spencer.