The annual Queensland Music Awards (QMAs) announced the 2021 genre category finalists, the Billy Thorpe Scholarship shortlist, and the nominees for the publicly voted People’s Choice Awards, with winners to be presented under the decadent chandeliers of the Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday 5 May in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

After a record number of artist submissions from all over the state, the impressive and extensive list of finalists includes emerging and established artists from the furthest reaches of Queensland’s thriving and diverse music communities.

Finalists include Eves Karydas, The Jungle Giants, Mallrat, and Sycco contending for the Pop crown, AYA J, Beddy Rays, ELEEA and Miiesha are finalists for the Indigenous Award, DVNA, FELIVAND, MiCCY, and Miiesha representing the judges best releases from the Soul/Funk/R’n’B category, and Ball Park Music, Beddy Rays, Hope D, and Jaguar Jonze are the top talent for Rock.

Jesswar, No Money Enterprise, LEMAIRE, and Tbi$h round out the best of the best in the Hip Hop/Rap category, CLOE TERARE, Fragile Animals, Greta Stanley, and Tia Gostelow are up for the Regional Award, and the returning new Children’s Music Category sees a stellar list of finalists with Fabulous Lemon Drops, Nyssa Ray, Happy Singing Kids, and The Mini Moshers.

After a record number of submissions, the Video category gives us some of the strongest finalists so far, with clips from Cub Sport ‘Confessions’ directed by Jennifer Embleton, FELIVAND ‘Trajectory’ directed by Levi Cranston, Jarryd James ‘Miracles’ directed by Mick Soiza, and Lastlings ‘Out Of Touch’ directed by Dylan Dulcos and Rico Zhang offering outstanding creative visual accompaniments to some of the state’s biggest songs of the last year.

With even more outstanding artists up for awards in Blues/Roots, Country, Electronic/Dance, Jazz, Heavy, Folk/Singer Songwriter categories and more, the 2021 QMAs promises to be a massive night of celebrating the talent, resilience, and relentless passion of Queensland’s musicians and their teams.

> Click here for a full list of categories and finalists <

“The Queensland Music Awards have become an important date in the calendar for our music community and despite the hardship of the last twelve months, our artists have proven that they are among the best in the world.

We had a vast number of exceptional submissions in every category, more than any previous year. Our judges certainly haven’t had an easy job narrowing it down, but we are thrilled to present such a remarkable group of talented finalists.
The creativity emanating from our state is both exciting and inspiring and I'm proud that the QMAs can be the place for Queensland to celebrate our musicians' success"

(QMusic CEO Angela Samut

Also announced today are the finalists for the annual Billy Thorpe Scholarship, which will be awarded to one of the four finalists Beckah Amani, King Stingray, Phoebe Sinclair, or Selve. Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and presented by QMusic, The Billy Thorpe Scholarship was established in 2010 in honour of the late Billy Thorpe, and awards the annual winner $10k as well as the opportunity to record with an established producer and receive career-planning from Chugg Entertainment.

"My daughters and I are so happy and proud that The Billy Thorpe Scholarship and QMusic have had the privilege to support the emerging young talent of Queensland for the past 13 years. There was a record amount of applications this year, and the quality of our four finalists was just amazing. It took a very long Zoom meeting with the judges to narrow down the finalists.

I look forward to seeing how the scholarship might help the winner achieve exciting things in the coming 12 months.” - Lynn Thorpe

After a notably difficult year for live music across the country, Queensland’s much-loved music venues and festivals have proved resilient and adaptive in the face of COVID-19, continuing to showcase local artists, diversity, and sustainability throughout the past 12 months. The Queensland Music Awards are yet again placing the power in the hands of the public to decide on Queensland’s favourite festival and live music venues, welcoming back the People’s Choice Awards presented by The Music and Oztix - but with a twist… This year, Queensland's best venues and festivals will be decided by 60% public vote, and 40% from an expert industry panel.

The 2021 People’s Choice Award categories are: Metro Venue Of The Year, Regional Venue Of The Year, andFestival Of The Year. All public votes go in the draw to win a double pass to celebrate with the who’s who of Queensland music at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards on Wednesday 5 May at The Fortitude Music Hall. You only have one vote, so make it count!

> CLICK HERE TO VOTE <

With an impressive line-up of artists and special performances to be announced soon, the Queensland Music Awards are a must in this year’s calendar for Queensland’s industry and music community to celebrate the best artists and entertainment we have to offer.

Tickets are on sale now with a range of Awards experiences available: from banquet tables and VIP Boxes to bird’s eye views from the Mezzanine. Tickets start from $55 (+bf) for QMusic members.

For more information go to www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au

The 2021 Queensland Music Awards is produced by QMusic.
QMusic is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.