Sundowner Artists’ Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi were the big winners at the Association of Artist Managers’ fifth annual awards, presented lunchtime Wednesday (April 29) at Sydney’s Crowbar, just hours before the APRA Music Awards.
The pair, who manage the international breakthrough punk rockers Amyl And The Sniffers, won manager of the year, the same category they nabbed at the inaugural AAM Awards in 2022.
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“They’ve helped each of the Sniffers through areas they didn’t need to which is a testament to their generosity,” explains Amy Taylor, the ARIA Award winning band’s firebrand singer, in a statement. “Not only are they music managers, they also run a live music venue and contribute to community radio, and love going to watch live music. They’re not persuaded by dodgy deals and they’re fiercely protective, as anyone whose come in their crossfires I’m sure is aware of. Their job isn’t easy but they’ve not only managed us as a band they’ve also managed to not blow their brains out dealing with our shit for eight-odd years.”
Manager of the year was one of seven categories announced on the day, all recognizing notable achievements and activity from January 2025 to December 2025.
The AAM Awards “recognize the managers at the center of artist careers; the ones driving strategy, navigating complexity, and making the work happen behind the scenes,” comments AAM executive director Maggie Collins.
This year’s nominees, she continues “reflect the strength, diversity and ambition of our community. Our winners set the benchmark for modern management: forward-thinking, resilient, and deeply invested in their artists’ success. But they’re also part of a broader ecosystem of managers who are all shaping the future of Australian music.”
Finalists were determined thorough consultation with a panel of respected representatives from different areas of the Australian and international music industry.
Also on the day, AAM presented the Legacy Award to Melita Hodge of Six Boroughs Management, an honor curated by the trade body’s board. Hodge’s long-time artist Kasey Chambers, the ARIA Hall of Fame inducted country legend, was on hand to pay tribute with words and song.
“I wouldn’t be the artist, I wouldn’t be the woman, I am today without you,” Chambers remarked, holding back tears. “Let’s do it for another 30 years, if you can put up with me,” she quipped. Chambers then performed a solo rendition of “The Captain,” the first song she and Hodge worked on together. The performance ended in happy tears.
Also during the ceremony, the Patron’s Gift Award to Ben Pierpoint of Ben Pierpoint Management, an accolade curated by the AAM patrons, and the 2026 APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award was presented to Neon Tiger Mgmt’s Kristie McCarthy. In addition to the award, McCarthy receives a grant valued at A$5,000 to support her business and professional pursuits.
“Receiving the Lighthouse Award at this point in my management career feels incredibly special – just days before my daughter’s first birthday and only a month after launching my own business,” she remarked.
“Like many first-time mothers, I was apprehensive about how I would manage maternity leave, especially as an artist manager. I’m so grateful to my former teammates for looking after The Cat Empire while I was away, and to Felix and Ollie for taking this next step with me as I begin Neon Tiger Mgmt.”
Matt Okine emceed the ceremony, a week after he co-hosted the Queensland Music Awards on the Gold Coast.
Guest speakers included John Graham, special minister of state, minister for the arts, minister for transport, minister for music and the night-time economy. “When you look at the music industry, so much has challenged the years, but one of the constants has been a value of high quality managers, guiding us through an incredibly complicated system, and changes every time you turn around,” he remarked from the podium. “That’s why it’s so good to be here to acknowledge the role that managers part.”
Presented by White Sky, this year’s show, like all previous editions, was a lunchtime gathering before the APRAs, hosted this year at the Hordern Pavilion. Last year’s edition was presented in Melbourne.
The not-for-profit AAM boasts more than 400 artist manager members, representing over 1,250 Australian artists globally. Read more here.
2026 AAM Awards winners:
Manager Of The Year (Presented by White Sky) — Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi, Sundowner Artists
Roster: Amyl and The Sniffers, Grace Cummings, The Gnomes, Girl and Girl, Nice Biscuit (Consultant Managers), Baby Cool (Consultant Managers)
Breakthrough Manager Of The Year (Presented by DMT Law Firm) — Christopher Kevin Au, 24 Karat Enterprises
Roster: POSSESHOT, SPEED (Co-Manager), Shady Nasty (Co-Manager), FUKHED (Co-Manager)
Emerging Manager Of The Year Winner (Presented by PPCA) — Ali Tomoana, Soul Has No Tempo
Roster: Miss Kaninna
Community Engagement Award Winner (Presented by The Orchard) — Tani Webb, First Nations Focus (FNFocus)
Roster: FLEWNT, Inkabee, Taija
Legacy Award Winner (Presented by Frontier Touring) — Melita Hodge, Six Boroughs Management
Roster: Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge, Denvah, Ball Park Music (Co-Manager), Ruby Jackson (Co-Manager)
Patron’s Gift Award Winner (Presented by the AAM Patrons)
Ben Pierpoint, Ben Pierpoint Management
Roster: Dino Dimitriadis, DOBBY, GODTET, Jamaica Moana (Co-Manager), Milan Ring, Ngaiire (Co-Manager), Rose Riebl, Wallace
Lighthouse Award (Presented by APRA AMCOS — Kristie McCarthy, Neon Tiger Mgmt
Roster: Riebl Tedesco McGill and The Cat Empire
