Hardcore band Speed wins inaugural $80,000 New South Wales Music prize

Sydney hardcore band Speed, who has won the first ever NSW Music prize ‘for a NSW artist or act whose release has had the most significant impact’. Photograph: Jack Rudder

Australian hardcore band Speed has won the inaugural $80,000 New South Wales Music prize, a new award attempting to support musicians in the face of streaming algorithms that promote international names over local artists.

The NSW Music prize was announced by the state government last year as part of its 10-year plan to support local music, with the goal of helping musicians “in the face of increasing competition from overseas artists via streaming platforms”.