The Queensland music industry and fans were out in force tonight as the State’s finest artists were honoured at the first annual Queensland Music Awards.
Held at Brisbane’s Old Museum, the night belonged to 19-year-old sensation emma louise who picked up three awards including Song Of The Year and the Pop Award for her song ‘Jungle’ – which has topped charts across the country.
Townsville band The Middle East – which recently announced their split – collected the Album of The Year Award for their stunning record I Want That You Are Always Happy.
Meanwhile Kate Miller-Heidke won the Courier-Mail Most Popular Female Award – one of a number of new categories voted for by the public – and the new Export Achievement Award, which recognises her growing success overseas.
Hugely respected Brisbane artist Ben Salter collected the Courier-Mail Most Popular Male Award and The Amity Affliction, the Most Popular Group.
Other awards went to country music legend James Blundell and Regional winner The McMenamins while Woodford Folk Festival veteran Bill Hauritz was honored with the G.W McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Queensland music.
Q Music Executive Officer Denise Foley – whose organisation is behind the event – said the Awards gave much-needed recognition to Queensland’s established and emerging artists.
“These Awards are about turning the spotlight on those already making world class music, while discovering new talent from all corners of the State,” Ms Foley said.
The event also saw the announcement of the Arts Queensland’s $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship which this year went to Sam Hales from rising Brisbane band The Jungle Giants.
All the winning songs are featured online at www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au.
The newly re-branded awards night (formerly Q Song) was held at the Old Museum for the first time and featured unforgettable performances from Elixir featuring Katie Noonan, emma louise, The Medics, DZ Deathrays, Streamer Bendy and the students from Brisbane’s Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts.
The evening was hosted by Richard Fidler (612 ABC Brisbane) and triple j’s Sarah Howells, with State Minister for Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts Rachel Nolan opening proceedings.
QUEENSLAND MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
School Award: ‘ODE TO ABIGAIL’ – STEPHEN SMITH
Indigenous Award: ‘BEGGARS’ – THE MEDICS
Regional Award: ‘UMBRELLA TOWN’ – THE McMENAMINS
Blues and Roots Award: ‘ONE STEP’ – KOOII
Country Award: ‘MOVE INTO THE CITY’ – JAMES BLUNDELL & KIM RICHEY
Folk/Singer Songwriter: ‘1000 SUNDOWNS’ – EMMA LOUISE
Urban Award: ‘ROBOTS’ – SCHOOLFIGHT
Electronic/Dance Award: ‘THE STARS HAVE ALIGNED’ – DieVsCity
Jazz Award: ‘SAUDADE’ – ROBERTO IREGUI (with Marialy Pacheco)
World Music Award: ‘BETWEEN THE GREEN AND THE BLUE’ – THE BARLEYSHAKES
Rock Award: ‘GEBBIE STREET’ – DZ DEATHRAYS
Heavy Award: ‘A BURNING HORIZON’ – TRIA MERA
Pop Award: ‘JUNGLE’ – EMMA LOUISE
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Male Award: BEN SALTER
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Female Award: KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Group Award: THE AMITY AFFLICTION
The Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award: BILL HAURITZ
The Export Achievement Award: KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship: SAM HALES
Song of the Year: JUNGLE – EMMA LOUISE
Album of the Year: I WANT THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS HAPPY – THE MIDDLE EAST
