Latvia’s annual music awards, the Zelta Mikrofons (Golden Microphone), concluded its 30th-anniversary ceremony on Saturday, February 28th, at the Olympic Center “Ventspils,” recognizing achievements in 20 categories. The event, which saw 315 submissions including 140 albums, 57 songs, 74 music videos, 38 debut albums, and six video concert recordings, honored artists across a diverse range of genres.
Kārlis Auziņš Double Trio received the award for Best Jazz, Funk or Soul Music Album for “Equilibrium Suite.” EIII was awarded Best Electronic or Dance Music Album for “Refractions,” even as the hip-hop album “Biļete uz vienu galu” by Prospekti took the top prize in its category.
Stūrī Zēvele’s album “Arlabunakti” was recognized as the Best Indie or Alternative Music Album. Oskars Petrauskis, Marina Rebeka, Duglass Bostoks, Liene Andreta Kalnciema, and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra won in the category of Best Cross-Genre or Instrumental Music Album for “Gratitude.” Normunds Rutulis, Ginta Krievkalna and Hans Antehed grupa were awarded Best Traditional Pop Music Album for “Abpusēji.”
The awards also acknowledged contributions to children’s music, with Tīnūžu tautas nama bērnu vokālais ansamblis “Tī mažors” (Tīnūži Folk House Children’s Vocal Ensemble “Tī Majors”) winning for their album “Man ir ģimene.” Sudden Lights received the award for Pop Music Album with “Īsas vasaras, garas ziemas” (Short Summers, Long Winters), while Skyforger was honored in the Rock or Metal Music Album category for “Teikas.” The Baltic Sisters’ album “Värav / Vārti / Vartai” was named the winner in the Folk or World Music Album category.
The ceremony, hosted by Sandis Dejus, Madara Kivkucāne and Beta Beidz, took place at the Olympic Center “Ventspils.” Nominations for the awards were announced on January 7th at St. Black – a live music bar, and restaurant. The event marked a significant milestone for the Zelta Mikrofons, celebrating three decades of recognizing Latvian musical talent.
The Latvian Music Recordings Annual Award representatives reported that the award ceremony took place on February 28th, but have not yet released details regarding any incidents reported by attendees, including one woman who expressed surprise at the event.