Celebrating some of the best music Queensland has to offer, the Gold Coast Music Awards has unveiled its 2021 finalists.

Leading the 50 nominees is Jesswar, who scores six nominations, closely followed by Peach Fur with five and Casey Barnes with four, all three of who are vying for the coveted Artist Of The Year gong, which Barnes claimed in 2020.

Winners across all nine categories will be revealed on September 4 at Home Of The Arts (HOTA), with the awards returning to an in-person format following last year’s pivot to online due to COVID.

“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,” Gold Coast Music Awards chairperson Samantha Morris said.

“While we can only give away a small number of awards, we really want to acknowledge the immense achievements of all nominees.”

This year, Gold Coast Music Awards received more than 650 nominations.

“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,” Morris said.

“More and more Gold Coast artists are growing into national and international exports, including our alumni: Amy Shark, Hollow Coves, Eliza & 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.”

Check out the full list of finalists below and head to theGuide for more details on this September's ceremony.

Gold Coast Music Awards 2021 Finalists

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Casey Barnes

Eliza & The Delusionals

Hollow Coves

Jesswar

Karl S Williams

Mass Sky Raid

Peach Fur

BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Beckah Amani

Buttered

Daste.

DOOLIE

Greatest Hits

Jesswar

Peach Fur

Rave Radio

René Le Feuvre

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR

Busby Marou

Casey Barnes

Donny Love

Hussy Hicks

Jesswar

Karl S Williams

Peach Fur

Selve

Tijuana Cartel

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Ella Fence

Fletcher Babb

Harry J Hart

Jackson Dunn

JVMIE

Lindsay Waddington

Majelen

Mitch King

Scott French

RELEASE OF THE YEAR

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

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

CBD Live

elsewhere

Miami Marketta

Mo’s Desert Clubhouse

Soundlounge

Wallaby Hotel

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

American Doubles ft JVMIE – Can’t Let Go

Baltimore Gun Club – Universe City

Beckah Amani – Standards

boWsER - Supersonic

DENNIS. ft Professor Paul – What You Do

Eliza & The Delusionals – Sentimental  

Jesswar – Venom

Selve – The Pink Hotel

Tijuana Cartel – Minimal Stuffing

GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE

Chloe Styler

EUCA 

Girl and Girl 

Harry J Hart

Liv Heyer

Pure Milk

Selve

Talia Rose