QMA
2018
Winners

A music-loving public joined forces with the Queensland music industry last night to celebrate the state’s finest songwriters, festivals and venues at the 2018 Queensland Music Awards, held at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds. The sold-out event was an incredible showcase of the contribution that music makes to Queensland’s cultural life, and the exceptional caliber of musicianship that the state has to offer to a worldwide audience.

Celebrated Brisbane singer-songwriter Jeremy Neale was awarded the coveted Song of The Year prize for his party starter Dancin’ & Romancin'. The prize includes a promotional prize pack worth $20,000 courtesy of The Music & NOVA 106.9. Releasing his debut album in November 2017, Jeremy is the latest recipient of the Grant McLennan Fellowship and is soon to embark on a 3-month songwriting scholarship to New York

Gold Coast idol Amy Shark has been awarded her first ever Export Achievement Award after a stellar international response to her breakthrough song Adore, which was also the Highest Selling Single by a Queenslander in 2017. Proving Amy’s exceptional songwriting merit, Weekends also garnered the acclaimed songwriter the Pop award, Regional & Singer-Songwriter awards on the night.

Topping off a highly successful 12 months, The Jungle Giants took home Album of The Year for Quiet Ferocity. The acclaimed LP produced multiple hit singles for the Brisbane four-piece who toured the album internationally and played sold out festivals and headline tours off the back of its release.

Presented by Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds, Hutchinson Builders, Mountain Goat Beer and Oztix, the night crowned 23 winners including the prestigious Billy Thorpe Scholarship.

23-year old songstress from Far North Queensland, Greta Stanley was named the recipient of the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship. Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Greta will be able to use the $10,000 prize to record her next release. Greta is a previous participant in QMusic’s Industry Connect program, which gives young people from regional Queensland the opportunity to meet and learn from national industry leaders.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Music Awards honoured the state’s finest song writers, exciting live performance venues and the accomplishments of Queensland’s thriving contemporary music industry.

“The Queensland Government supports our contemporary music scene with investment in QMusic, the state’s key contemporary music industry body, that each year presents the QMAs as well as September’s BIGSOUND industry event” Minister Enoch said.

“I am delighted to congratulate 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship winner Greta Stanley. Greta is turning heads with her youthful, electric and emotional songs, and with the support provided through this prize Greta will continue to grow musically, collaborate and keep writing,” Ms Enoch said.

The Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to country music veteran Chad Morgan. Achieving platinum and gold album sales over a career spanning 6 decades and testament to an extensive touring career, the 85-year-old was unable to accept the award in person due to touring commitments.

In 2018, the ceremony moved to recognise a more diverse group of contributors to Queensland music. The Big Pineapple Music Festival was voted People’s Choice for Festival of The Year. Brisbane’s The Tivoli took out Metro Venue of the Year and Maroochydore’s Solbar were awarded Regional Venue of the Year.

QMusic CEO Joel Edmondson announced that in 2018, QMusic will stage a Queensland Music Awards finalist showcase during BIGSOUND Festival, courtesy of the support of McCormick’s Law. This will be a whole new opportunity for Queensland artists to take their music to the world.

Fans, industry and media were also treated to performances by The Kite Sting Tangle, WAAX, Brad Butcher, May Lyn, Greta Stanley, Carmouflage Rose and Jeremy Neale.

Check out the full list of winners below!