.

.

Finalists Announced for
2021 Gold Coast Music Awards

TICKETS

.

.

“I feel so honoured to be recognised by the Gold Coast Music Awards, by my home town and by the community that stood by me from the very beginning, thank you to the Gold Coast Music Awards for supporting local talent and for helping me pave a career in this incredible country.” – Amy Shark

.

GCMA 2021 FINALIST HERO Artboard

.

Back for its seventh year, Gold Coast’s flagship music industry event, the Gold Coast Music Awards, presented by SPRINGTIME festival, recently 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.

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. 

.

GCMA 2019 San Mei winner // Shots Fired by James Wills

.

GCMA 2019 Casey Barnes on stage // CREDIT NJA Photography

.

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

.

2017 Trophies lined up // CREDIT Dan Maynard

.

Hussy Hicks red carpet arrival 2021 // CREDIT Shots Fired by James Wills

.

2021 FAST FACTS

2021 Gold Coast Music Awards

2021 Gold Coast Music Awards ceremony
Saturday 4 September – from midday to 3.00pm
@HOTA, Home of the Arts

*Tickets for awards ceremony available soon*

2021 Gold Coast Music Awards – Live Stream presentation
The 2021 Gold Coast Music Awards will also be live streamed for at home audiences.
Live streaming will run from 1.00pm – 3.00pm 
RSVP here to watch

Categories

Artist of the Year
Breakout artist of the Year
Live Act of the Year
Musician (instrumentalist / vocalist) of the Year
Release (album / EP) of the Year
Song of the Year
Venue of the Year
Video of the Year

People’s Choice Award

Sponsored by Burleigh Brewing Co.

All finalists will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which is determined by a public vote and an in-person vote at the Awards ceremony event.

Gold Coast Music Prize

Sponsored by Friends of the Arts

All nominees under the age of 25 are eligible for this career-defining prize, which includes 12 months of industry support to propel one artist/band’s career to the next level, from paid festival performances and marketing packages to tailored one-on-one mentoring sessions with leading industry figures.

2021 Judges

Dan Carroll (City of Gold Coast)
Brad Hinds (Oztix)
Donna Weston (Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium)
Elizabeth Sharpe (Good Call Live)
Emily Holler (Mojobullet)
Jo Driessens (Placemakers Gold Coast & Bleach* Festival)
Kimberley Ferguson (Mo’s Desert Clubhouse & Beats Cartel)
Kirsty Abrahams (Konnection Artist Assistance)
Mel De Regt (Cult Club)
Olivia Dennis (DENNIS.)
Mark Duckworth (Major Events Gold Coast)
Samantha Morris (Gold Coast Music Awards)
Zac Fahey (Blank Street Press & Major Events Gold Coast)

Premier Partners

City of Gold Coast – Premier Partner 
SPRINGTIME Festival – Presenting Partner
HOTA, Home of the Arts – Venue Partner

2021 Category Sponsors

Southern Cross University – Artist of the Year
Griffith University and the Queensland Conservatorium – Breakout Artist of the Year 
Gold Coast Music – Live Act of the Year 
TAFE Queensland – Musician of the Year 
Blank Street Press – Release of the Year 
CBD Live – Song of the Year
Oztix – Venue of the Year 
QT Gold Coast – Video of the Year
Friends of the Arts – Gold Coast Music Prize 
Burleigh Brewing Co. – People’s Choice Award

Event Partners
Molten Agency
Pinnacle Engineering Group
Southport Sharks
The Edit Suite

Cultural Partners
BLEACH*
SWELL Sculpture Festival

Hospitality Partners
Grandad Jack’s
Mr Consistent

Media Partners
94.1FM
AAA Backstage
Blank Street Press
Music is my Muse

Creative Partners
Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern
Racy and Lucky
RW Promotion
The Big Note Co.

,

GCMA 2018 Electrik Lemonade – Jake // CREDIT NJA Photography

.

GCMA 2017 Yes Sir No Ceur // CREDIT NJA Photography

.

Follow GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS
Website – Facebook – Twitter

.

AMNPLIFY – DB