THE 2018 APRA Music Awards red carpet will turn purple on Tuesday night as the Australian music industry shows solidarity with the #MeToo movement.

The annual awards to recognise our leading songwriters have encouraged artists and their teams to wear a “touch of purple”, one of the colours worn by suffragettes at the turn of the 20th century.

Just two weeks after the launch of NOW Australia to support people across all industries who have been sexually harassed, assaulted or intimidated, the music industry is following the lead of the Golden Globes in January when guests were asked to wear black.

NOW Australia founder Tracey Spicer will be attending the awards with ambassador Isabella Manfredi of The Preatures.

An email went to the invited guests on Monday morning calling for the display of purple pride.

“It’s time to end sexual harassment, intimidation and abuse in our workplaces,” the post stated.

“Show your support and wear a ‘touch of purple’ at the APRA Music Awards

“Hair, nails, dress, shoes, ribbons, flowers, suits, ties, socks just a ‘touch of purple’ will send the message that you care and support.”

Within a couple of hours of sharing the email, an APRA insider said she had been deluged with support from dozens of the men in the industry.

“I got emails from so many men saying they went out to buy purple ties, socks, cravats, even shoelaces,” she said.

Among those expected to lend their support — and voice — will be the members of Midnight Oil who will be receiving the night’s prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music off the back of their wildly successful reunion tour last year.

Other nominated songwriters and artists heading to the 2018 APRA Music Awards at Sydney’s ICC Convention Centre include Amy Shark, Paul Kelly, The McClymonts and Kasey Chambers.

Among the performers interpreting the Song of the Year nominated tunes are Tim Minchin, No Mono and LA-based songwriting hitmaker Nat Dunn.