The Limelight Artists of the Year for 2021

After a hiatus in 2020, we once again asked our reviewers and readers to vote for the Australian and International Artists of the Year. We are thrilled to announce our 2021 winners.

Critics' Choice

William Barton

Australian Artist of the Year

Runners-Up

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, Pinchgut Opera, Anne Cawrse & Benjamin Northey

In 2021, not only did William Barton receive the Australia Council's Don Banks Music Award, but also saw the premiere of several works that feel as if they point towards an important new direction for his creative practice.

Critics' Choice

Igor Levit

International Artist of the Year

Runners-Up

Víkingur Ólafsson, Alan Cumming, Kaija Saariaho & Lise Davidsen

The Russian-born German pianist is an artist who paints on a broad canvas; one whose place in the world informs his art; and one who is unafraid to speak his mind, whether on music or on politics.

People's Choice

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall

Australian Artist of the Year

Runners-Up

Benjamin Northey, William Barton, Pinchgut Opera & Genevieve Lacey

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall proved a lifesaver during the pandemic, raising money for artists and keeping audiences connected with the music they loved. It shows how deep the connections they established that they have been voted the Peoples' Choice in our 2021 awards.

People's Choice

VOCES8

International Artist of the Year

Runners-Up

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Nicola Benedetti & András Schiff

In response to the pandemic, VOCES8 reinvented themselves as stage managers, camera technicians and, crucially, impresarios, they produced a highly successful series of online events watched by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.