The awards are given in categories that recognise the best live music venues, performers, events, and festivals.
[3] Magic Dirt were the recipients of the inaugural Live Legends Hall of Fame Induction.
In 2019 the NLMAs were held in Canberra as well as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Launceston, Alice Springs, and Fremantle, and the categories were expanded to include jazz and classical music.
In December 2022, it was confirmed that they would be back to celebrate the live sector in October 2023, after the two-year hiatus.
[8] The awards are open to any musician or band that played a concert in Australia between 1 September and 31 August of any year.