Finalists Announced For Inaugural Sunshine Coast Music Awards

The finalists for the inaugural Sunshine Coast Music Awards (SCMAs) have been announced, with indie-pop darlings Betty Taylor leading the charge.

To be held at The Station in Birtinya on June 1, the SCMAs will be headed up by the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective (SCMIC) - an independent industry body dedicated to supporting and championing local musicians - and supported by the Sunshine Coast Council.

There are 11 award categories up for grabs on the night, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Venue of the Year, and even the uncommon award of Punter of the Year. The winners will be chosen by “a diverse range of independent music industry professionals”.

Betty Taylor is up for four of those eleven awards, with nominations for Artist of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Song of the Year (for their single, Young, Dumb and Immature).

Joining the band with multiple nominations is Frank and Louis - nominated for Young Artist of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Song of the Year for their debut single FAT MAN - Ziggy Alberts - nominated for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for I’m With You - and Raw Ordio - nominated for Artist of the Year and Live Act of the Year. You can find the full list of finalists below.

The SCMAs are set to be hosted by music industry royalty: cheeky TV personality Ian “Dicko” Dickson and triple j darling Sarah Howells.

Announcing the SCMAs in late November last year, SCMIC chairperson Melissa O’Bryan spoke on her excitement.

“I’ve been working with local music for nearly a decade. The talent the Sunshine Coast boasts couldn’t be more worthy of their own awards night,” she said.

The event will mark the first time the Sunshine Coast’s newest and brightest crop of musicians will be celebrated in an awards format. 

Tickets for the inaugural Sunshine Coast Music Awards are on sale now. Find details here.

Sunshine Coast Music Awards (SCMAs) 2025 Categories and Finalists:

Artist of the Year

Betty Taylor

Raw Ordio

High Tropics

Ziggy Alberts

Artwork of the Year

Builtfromboxes

Jeunae Elita

Lahni 

First Nations Award

Daddy Frank

Kevin Starkey

Live Act of the Year

Betty Taylor

Raw Ordio

Sunny Coast Rude Boys

Musician of the Year

Josiah Niven

Minnie Marks

Pat Tierney 

Punter of the Year

Leigh Kuryj

Letricia Delaney

Recording Studio of the Year

Big Rock Studio

Glasshouse Studios

Yama-Nui Studios

Rising Star of the Year

Betty Taylor

Frank and Louis

Wave Raiders

Song of the Year

Betty Taylor - Young, Dumb and Immature

Buttermello - Let Me Down Easy

Frank and Louis - FAT MAN

Ziggy Alberts - I'm With You

Venue of the Year

Norton Music Factory

Solbar

The Station

Young Artist of the Year

Ampersand

Frank and Louis

Wave Raiders