Australia’s music scene has crowned a new champion: Sydney‑based hardcore band Speed has taken home the inaugural $80,000 top prize at the NSW Music Prize. The award marks a significant moment for local artists, and for a genre rarely recognised on such a stage.
A landmark win for an unconventional hero
Speed, formed in 2019 and known for their ferocious sound and socially‑driven lyrics, claimed the “Artist or Act whose release has had the most significant impact” category of the prize. Their debut album Only One Mode was cited as the standout release. At the award ceremony held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, the band paid tribute to their community: “This award belongs to the people around us who make it what it is… we’ll take some time to think about the best way we can pay that forward to keep growing this the right way.”
Why this prize matters — and why Speed stood out
The NSW Music Prize was launched by the NSW government with the specific goal of boosting local musical talent in the face of global competition pushing international artists to the fore. With a total prize pool of $160,000—$80,000 for the top award—it is now the largest cash prize for music in Australia. Speed stood out for more than just sound. The band addresses pressing issues — male suicide, anti‑Asian racism and inclusivity in the hardcore scene — and made Australian history by becoming the first Australian hardcore act to perform at Coachella in April.
What this means for the NSW music scene
The award is being seen as a boost to the state’s creative economy, acknowledging that home‑grown artists need both recognition and resources to thrive. NSW Minister for Music, John Graham, said he hoped the prize would “inspire the next generation to aim high” and help local artists cut through on global platforms. Groups like Speed show that diversity of genre and voice is increasingly valued — this win may open doors for other niche and non‑mainstream acts in Australia.
What’s next for Speed — and for recipients of the other categories
With the prize secured, Speed has promised to reinvest in their scene and continue building on what they call the “hardcore kids and punks… building something for ourselves for nothing more than the love of the scene.”
Other winners at the event included:
- Ninajirachi, who received $40,000 as “Breakthrough Artist of the Year”.
- Barkaa, who won the $40,000 First Nations music award for her EP Big Tidda.
