APRA Music Awards Heading To Brisbane For First Time

One of Australia's top national music awards will head to Brisbane for the first time in its 32-year history with the APRA Awards in June.

To be held at Brisbane City Hall Monday 23 June, APRA AMCOS CEO Brett Cottle said it was the strength of the scene and rise of industry events like Australia's premier conference and showcase BIGSOUND that helped their decision to take the awards north.

They have traditionally alternated between Sydney and Melbourne, with the 2013 event held at the latter.

The APRA Music Awards will be a great addition to Queensland's contemporary music scene,” said Queensland's Minister for Science, Information Technology, Inovation & The Arts Ian Walker.

“The Queensland Government supports Queensland as a hub for contemporary music, musicians and new music discovery through events such as BIGSOUND. Each year, BIGSOUND, one of the nation's top music industry events, draws national and international talent to Brisbane, delivering showcases, speakers and artists who will become the stars of tomorrow.”

The 2014 ceremony will be the last held in June, with APRA indicating that from 2015 onwards the event will be held in March to space out a crowded awards period.

The awards categories cover rock, dance, urban, pop and country music while the peak gong is the peer-voted Song Of The Year award, the shortlist of which will be announced in the coming weeks.