The Queensland Music Awards (QMAs) are an annual event that celebrates the diversity and talent of the state’s music scene across 27 categories.
2023 saw the QMAs held on Tuesday, 28 March, at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
Featuring live performances from some of the state’s best and brightest artists, the evening saw Australian stars such as Thelma Plum, Ball Park Music, Sycco, The Jungle Giants and more.
The most prestigious award, Song of the Year, went to Thelma Plum for her single “Backseat of My Mind”, which also won the Pop Award. She became the first Indigenous artist to win Song of the Year since Troy Cassar-Daley in 2007.
Other major award winners included Ball Park Music for Album of the Year for their self-titled record, Sycco for Emerging Artist of the Year, The Jungle Giants for Highest Selling Single for “Heavy Hearted”, and The Amity Affliction for Highest Selling Album for “Everyone Loves You… Once You Leave Them”.
QMA also honoured two emerging female-identifying or non-binary singer-songwriters with cash prizes: Tia Gostelow won the $15,000 Carol Lloyd Award and Hope D won the $15,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship.
The QMAs also recognised the best venues and festivals in Queensland with the People’s Choice Awards, which were decided by public vote and expert panel. The winners were: Splendour in the Grass for Festival of the Year, The Triffid for Metro Venue of the Year, and Solbar for Regional Venue of the Year.
