Play – Portuguese Music Awards: 50 nominees for the 6th edition revealed

Today, at a press conference at the Coliseu dos Recreios, the 50 nominees from the 6th edition of PLAY – Portuguese Music Awards and also who will join Filomena Cautela in presenting the awards ceremony: Inês Lopes Gonçalves. The gala will take place on May 16, in the same space, and will be broadcast live on RTP1, RTP África, RTP Internacional, RTP Play and Antena1.

Within the 12 categories subject to nomination, Pedro Mafama and Slow J lead the way, with three nominationsfollowed by Bárbara Bandeira, Carminho, Transatlantic Express, Ivandro and T-Rexartists who count, respectively, with two prize proposals.

Nominations in categories Vodafone Song of the Year, Best Female Artist, Best Male Artist, Best group It is Best Album are chosen by the PLAY Academy — made up of 235 professionals linked to the music industry (agents, managers, artists, producers, show promoters, technicians and journalists) — based on a list of 30+, which is based on volumetric criteria of sales and airplay radio stations for 2023.

It should be noted that the categories Best Fado Album, New artist, Light and Popular Music Award (for the first time in the competition), Lusofonia Award, Best Music Video, Best Jazz Album It is Best Classical/Classical Music Album were subject to applications from artists and publishers, and in this edition, the organization received 842, a record number, with an increase of 57% compared to 2023 (537).

The choice of nominees from these last seven categories — except New artist It is Lusofonia Award (the nominees are chosen by the Academy) — is in charge of specialized committees, based on the specific characteristics necessary to analyze the works.

To the 12 categories already mentioned, two more will be added (14 in total), whose names will be announced at the May gala: Career Awardattributed by the promoters — Audiogest and GDA — and Critics Award, which is defined by a panel of music journalists. The entire process of applications, nominations and selection of winners is audited by PwC.

For the 6th consecutive year, the Vodafone Portugal joins the PLAY Awards as main sponsor, with the aim of distinguishing national music globally and, in particular, through the category Vodafone Song of the Yearthe only one whose winning artist is voted on by the public.

“The nominees are the real winners and act as a small showcase of the best that is produced in Portugal. In this edition, I highlight that we will have the Light and Popular Music category for the first time, a sign that we intend to celebrate Portuguese music as a whole, integrating as many musical genres as possible”comments Paulo Carvalho, general director of the event.

Inês Lopes Gonçalves – who in the first two editions was paired with PLAY presenter Filomena Cautela – is another big name associated with this ceremony, which will also feature two digital reporters on the red carpet: Alexandre Guimarães and Catherine Moreira.

You PLAY – Portuguese Music Awards are promoted by Audiogestwhich manages and represents the rights of multinational, national and independent publishers, and also by GDAan entity that manages the rights of artists, performers and performers.

Created in 2019 with the aim of celebrating and promoting the talent and careers of Portuguese and Portuguese-speaking artists, the PLAY Awards are currently the biggest celebration of national music, also contributing to the cultural and economic development of the country.

YOLO