Latvian Music Awards “Zelta Mikrofons” Celebrate 30 Years with Star-Studded Ceremony
The 30th annual Latvian Music Recording Award “Zelta Mikrofons” (“Golden Microphone”) took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Olympic Center “Ventspils,” honoring outstanding achievements in Latvian music across 20 categories.1 The ceremony featured performances by leading Latvian artists and recognized both established stars and emerging talent.
Key Winners and Highlights
The “Song of the Year” award was presented to Finkis for “ENJOY!”, with Raimonds Tiguls noting the song’s lasting impact on multiple generations.1 Sudden Lights received the “Album of the Year” award for “short summers, long winters,” with Diāna Zirniņa emphasizing the vital role of music in sustaining Latvian culture and national identity.1
Award Recipients by Category
- Best Jazz, Funk or Soul Album: Kārlis Auziņš “Double Trio” – “EQUILIBRIUM SUITE”1
- Best Electronic or Dance Music Album: EIII – “Refractions”1
- Best Hip Hop Music Album: “Prospekti” – “BIĻETE UZ VIENU GALU”1
- Best Indie or Alternative Music Album: “Stūrī Zēvele” – “arLabunakti”1
- Best Cross-genre or Instrumental Album: Oskars Petrauskis, Marina Rebeka, Douglas Bostock, Liene Andreta Kalnciema, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra – “Gratitude”1
- Best Traditional Pop Album: Normunds Rutulis, Ginta Krievkalna and Hans Antehed group – “ABPUSĒJI”1
- Best Music Album for Children: Children’s vocal ensemble of Tīnužu folk house “Tī Majors” – “I have a family”1
- Best Pop Album: “Sudden Lights” – “short summers, long winters”1
- Best Rock or Metal Music Album: “Skyforger” – “Tales”1
- Best Folk or World Music Album: “The Baltic Sisters” – “Vārav / Vārti / Vartai”1
- Best Classical or Vocal Album: “Trio Baltia” – “White Birds”1
- Best Song: Finkis – “ENJOY!”1
- Best Debut Album: Emily – “The Ink Story”1
- Best Video: “Carnival Youth” and Evija Weber – “The best idea in the world”1
- Best Live Recording: “Sturī Zēvele” – “arLabunakti”1
- Best Album Design: Folk group “Grodi” – “Silver mining”1
- Best Producer: Mārtiņš Krastiņš1
- Radio Hits: Finkis – “ENJOY!”1
- Lifetime Contribution to Latvian Music: Group “Ilgi”1
Ceremony Leadership and Performances
The 30th-anniversary ceremony was hosted by Sanda Dejus, Madara Kivkucāne and Beta Beidz.2 The event likewise featured performances by past ceremony hosts, musicians, and showmen.1 Performers included Ventspils Big Band, Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, Normunds Rutulis, “Dzeguzīte”, “Apvedceļš”, “Dzelzs vilks”, “Baltic Groove Orchestra”, Ivo Fomins, “Very Cool People”, Daniela Mase, Ozols, Emilija, “The Sound Poets”, “Dagamba”, “Musiqq”, and “Ilgi,” among others.1
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