Good vibrations: Winners and grinners at music awards
The state’s top talent was on show at this year’s Queensland Music Awards.
Queensland’s music industry came out in force on Tuesday night for the annual Queensland Music Awards at The Fortitude Music Hall.
The awards honour the state’s brightest emerging talent, industry leaders and iconic artists with knockout live performances on the night.
History was made with Troy Cassar-Daley winning the first publicly voted Album of the Year award with Between the Fires taking out the honour over strong competition by fellow powerhouse nominees Amy Shark, Thelma Plum and The Dreggs.
Success was a family affair with Jem Cassar-Daley joining her father on the awards’ winners list, receiving the Indigenous Award for Big Container. Also keeping it in the family was Zipporah Corser-Anu, the young vocalist performing an extraordinary rendition of My Island Home in tribute to her mother, Christine Anu, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beddy Rays and Randy Thrill$ wowed the crowd with electrifying live performances of their 2025 QMA-winning hits – Beddy Rays winning the Rock Award for Stay the Same and Randy Thrill$ the Hip Hop Award for Walked Away.
They were part of a show-stopping line-up of local talent including local rockers Full Moon Flower Band (they won the Blues/Roots Award), country music sweetheart Denvah, jazz orchestra Voltozash and MIC Project featuring students and alums from Music Industry College.
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DJ, producer and electronic artist Young Franco was a big winner at the star-studded ceremony, taking home the Export Achievement Award as well as Song of the Year and the Electronic Award for Wake Up, which features Master Peace.
In the hotly contested People’s Choice Awards, presented by Oztix and 4ZZZ, Big Pineapple Festival was named Festival of the Year, Sandstone Point Hotel won Regional Venue of the Year and the QMA’s host venue, The Fortitude Music Hall, was voted Metro Venue of the Year
$60,000 in scholarships were awarded via four annual legacy awards
A total of $60,000 in scholarships were awarded via four annual legacy awards, presented by QMusic and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
First Nations multi-instrumentalist Rudy Matoy was honoured with the third annual Dennis “Mop” Conlon Scholarship, receiving $15,000 to support and develop their ongoing career in the music industry.
Frontman of psych rock act Golden Age of Ballooning, Wolfe Peterson, secured the Grant McLennan Fellowship for which he will receive $15,000 to travel to New York, London or Berlin and be immersed in their vibrant music culture.
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Hip-hop standout Miles Nautu received the Billy Thorpe Scholarship, with $15,000 to the emerging artist recording their next release with an established producer, alongside career planning from industry juggernaut Chugg Entertainment.
The Carol Lloyd Award to support emerging female identifying or non-binary artists to record a full-length album or tour an EP was awarded to nostalgia-soaked Brisbane artist, Dana Gehrman.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek congratulated Rudy Matoy, Wolfe Petersen, Miles Nautu and Dana Gehrman as the 2025 recipients of the Crisafulli Government supported scholarships.
“These scholarships will champion the work of Queensland contemporary music artists, providing $15,000 each to forge their career path in the music industry, while honouring the legacy of four Queensland music icons,” Langbroek said.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to championing the state’s music industry and the depth of local talent, investing in the work of artists, organisations, festivals and venues, and in QMusic’s delivery of showcase and industry conference BIGSOUND.
“A thriving live music scene is critical to Queensland’s cultural vibrancy, nightlife economy and the delivery of broader economic and social outcomes in communities right across the state.”
QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said the QMAs celebrated the best in blues, folk, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, country, electronic and more. This year it gave music lovers the opportunity to have their say alongside an expert judging panel of more than 100 Australian and international music industry professionals.
“The QMAs recognise the passion, dedication and diversity of the people and places that make music such an integral and invaluable part of our state’s cultural heritage,” Stewart said.
“Ours is an industry brimming with talent and camaraderie, no matter where you are in your career – from international superstar Amy Shark recognised for her Highest-Selling Album and Highest-Selling Single to last year’s Billy Thorpe Scholarship recipient and past Youth Award winner, Lottie McLeod, named the 2025 Emerging Artist of the Year.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all finalists and winners and are so proud of the incredible depth and breadth of music produced by Queensland artists last year.”
See the full list of winners and ceremony highlights at: