The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) To Induct Marlene Cummins & Saltwater Band Into The Hall Of Fame

This year's National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) welcome two Hall of Fame honourees: First Nations icon Marlene Cummins and Elcho Island roots outfit Saltwater Band.

Returning to the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August, this year's NIMAs will be hosted by Rob Collins and Leila Gurruwiwi.

As for the new inductees, Marlene Cummins has spent a lifetime telling her people's story through the magic of blues music. A proud Guguyelandji woman on her father’s side and Woppaburra on her mother's, Cummins studied saxophone and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston before returning home to Australia and becoming one of the country’s leading Indigenous female blues voices.

Cummins is also a longtime host of Koori Radio’s Marloo’s Blues and was named Broadcaster of the Year at the 2009 Deadly Awards and again at the 2015 Gadigal Information Broadcasters Awards, while her documentary Black Panther Woman, co-written with Rachel Perkins, and its companion album Koori Woman Blues, gave music fans an in-depth look into her life and history.

Legendary ARIA-nominated rockers Saltwater Band are also being recognised as one of the country's most influential groups. Formed in Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island, the ska-meets-pop rockers sing mostly in Yolŋu languages and featured the late Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu among its founding members.

Saltwater Band earned critical acclaim with ARIA nominations for their albums Djarridjarri/Blue Flag in 2004 and Malk in 2011, while also taking out Album of the Year for Djarridjarri and Band of the Year at the Deadly Awards.

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The night before the NIMAs sees the return of Blak Loud at Darwin's Bustard Town on Friday 7 August. In partnership with Amazon Music Australia and Awesome Blak, the night brings together South Summit, Zipporah and Casii Williams for a celebration of First Nations music.

Speaking about performing at this year's NIMAs, South Summit said, “Darwin holds a special place for us. The last time we played the Top End was back in 2024 at The Rails, and we haven’t had the chance to make it back since. We’re incredibly excited to return and be part of Amazon Music Australia and Awesome Black’s Blak Loud Showcase. 

"It’s such a great opportunity to reconnect with fans in Darwin, share our music with a new audience and celebrate the incredible talent and culture coming out of Australia. We can’t wait to get back up there, play some songs and be part of such a special event."

The 2026 NIMAs take place at Garamilla/Darwin’s Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August. Visit nima.musicnt.com.au for more info.