Back for its seventh year, Gold Coast’s flagship music industry event, the Gold Coast Music Awards, presented in partnership with SPRINGTIME festival, today announced 50 finalists across nine categories, all of whom are set to have their creative gold celebrated at a dazzling red-carpet event at Home Of The Arts (HOTA), Saturday 4 September.
Award-winning hip-hop artist Jesswar; enigmatic indie-rockers Peach Fur; and international country music star Casey Barnes were frontrunners, each earning finalist positions in more than four categories, including the coveted Artist Of The Year gong that Barnes will be defending after his win last year.
Several first-time finalists were also recognised, including acoustic sensation Beckah Amani, chasing Breakout Artist Of The Year after huge Queensland Music Award wins and a Tones and I support slot; as well as fresh indie-pop duo Geniie Boy; and First Nations artist-fronted hitmakers, Selve and AYA J.
“For a year that saw the music industry gutted with uncertainty, reduced venue capacities and cancelled events, Gold Coast’s musicians and our beloved venues have outdone themselves. While we can only give away a small number of awards, we really want to acknowledge the immense achievements of all nominees,” said Gold Coast Music Awards chairperson, Samantha Morris.
Despite a tough year for the industry, the exceptional entrants made judging tough too. With more than 650 nominations received this year, “Each category was passionately debated by judges and for the first time, we even released the judging shortlist to acknowledge the quality of talent in the region.”
“More and more Gold Coast artists are growing into national and international exports, including our alumni: Amy Shark, Hollow Coves, Eliza and the Delusionals, Jacob Lee and Wolfmother’s Ian Peres. It’s exciting to have seen and supported their progression over the years and we can’t wait to see what this year’s crop achieves in the future,” Ms Morris said.
Organisers, industry and supporters, including Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, are looking forward to the Awards’ return this year, following the 2020 event’s inevitable cancellation, before it went on to stream virtually to more than 29,000 music industry representatives and fans, setting a precedent for online music award presentations nationwide.
“The Gold Coast Music Awards is an important beacon for our local music industry during these challenging times. I congratulate all the nominated artists and businesses and look forward to celebrating the strength and resilience of the local scene and the quality of their output,” Tate said.
The Gold Coast Music Awards ceremony will take place Saturday 4 September at Home of the Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast, in partnership with SPRINGTIME Music Festival. To attend or watch the awards ceremony, RSVP here.
The Gold Coast Music Awards is produced by Blank Street Press and proudly supported by City of Gold Coast and Major Events Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Music Awards 2021 Finalists
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Southern Cross University
Casey Barnes
Eliza and the Delusionals
Hollow Coves
Jesswar
Karl S Williams
Mass Sky Raid
Peach Fur
BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Griffith University and the Queensland Conservatorium
Beckah Amani
Buttered
Daste.
DOOLIE
Greatest Hits
Jesswar
Peach Fur
Rave Radio
René Le Feuvre
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Gold Coast Music
Busby Marou
Casey Barnes
Donny Love
Hussy Hicks
Jesswar
Karl S Williams
Peach Fur
Selve
Tijuana Cartel
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Ella Fence
Fletcher Babb
Harry J Hart
Jackson Dunn
JVMIE
Lindsay Waddington
Majelen
Mitch King
Scott French
RELEASE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Blank Street Press
Casey Barnes – Town of a Million Dreams
DOOLIE – Hope You Like My Mixtape
Hussy Hicks – Gather Up The People
Jesswar – Tropixx
Karl S Williams – Lifeblood
Peach Fur – Awake
Saint Lane – If You Leave Me In The Fire
These Four Walls – This Is Not A Future
SONG OF THE YEAR
sponsored by CBD Live
AYA J – Shine
Beckah Amani – Standards
Casey Barnes – Come Turn Me On
DVNA – All My Friends
DENNIS. X FDVM– Run Little House
Eliza and the Delusionals – Sentimental
Geniie Boy – Fool’s Play
Jesswar – Venom
Lastlings – Take My Hand
Peach Fur – Preloved
Saint Lane – When Did We Grow Up?
These Four Walls – White Lies
VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Oztix
CBD Live
elsewhere
Miami Marketta
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Soundlounge
Wallaby Hotel
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
sponsored by QT Gold Coast
American Doubles ft JVMIE – Can’t Let Go
Baltimore Gun Club – Universe City
Beckah Amani – Standards
boWsER – Supersonic
DENNIS. – What You Do ft. Professor Paul
Eliza and the Delusionals – Sentimental
Jesswar – Venom
Selve – The Pink Hotel
Tijuana Cartel – Minimal Stuffing
GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE
sponsored by Friends of the Arts
Chloe Styler
EUCA
Girl and Girl
Harry J Hart
Liv Heyer
Pure Milk
Selve
Talia Rose
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
sponsored by Burleigh Brewing Co.
Open to all finalists – open for public voting Thursday 19 August
COVID-19 health advice: The awards team continue to closely monitor the current COVID situation and health advice provided by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer. While we are working towards the event going ahead on the 4 September as planned, if restrictions that hinder the continuation of the awards remain in place closer to the event date our intention is to postpone to a time when we can safely gather in person to celebrate the Gold Coast music industry.