Gold Coast Music Awards Unveil 2016 Finalists

The Gold Coast's best musicians, bands, venues and events are in the spotlight in the lead-up to this year's second annual Gold Coast Music Awards, the finalists for which were announced today at a special event in the city.

Local singer-songwriter Ella Fence has made off with a record-breaking number of nominations, making the finalist cut four times over (Artist Of The Year, Emerging Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Video Of The Year), while 2016 Queensland Music Award winner Amy Shark, luminous duo Hussy Hicks and experimental acoustic folk crew Leopold's Treat — who performed at today's announcement event (pictured) , along with fellow nominee Jenna Dearness Dark (Emerging Talent Of The Year) — picked up two finalist placings apiece.

Other talent to get nods for finalist spots includes Electrik Lemonade, Jesswar, Baltimore Gun Club and Cheap Fakes, while several local industry torch-bearers such as the Blues On Broadbeach and Wallapalooza events, and spaces such as Soundlounge, elsewhere and others, are up for awards in the Venue Of The Year, Event Of The Year and Music Champion Of The Year categories.

"It's testament to the quality and calibre of the finalists that most of the artists are in all corners of the world touring at the moment," GCMAs organiser Samantha Morris said in a statement.

"Last year's Emerging Artist Of The Year, Hanlon Brothers, finalists Hussy Hicks, double finalist Amy Shark and this year's star finalist, Ella Fence, are all doing great things overseas. I was buoyed to see the finalists were from such diverse musical genres and was interested to see the hotly contested Song Of The Year category this year is an all-female race.

"There is a hive of activity on the Gold Coast music scene and we want to shine a spotlight on the people and places that make this incredible city's music."

Morris' sentiments were echoed by Gold Coast Tourism director of communications and marketing services Michelle Stone, who said in a statement: "Live music, the city's live music venues and events are part of the city's diverse and growing tourism offering, and this is recognised when we are actively challenging the perceptions visitors have of the Gold Coast as a holiday and business events destination."

"As we approach the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the world's attention will turn to us, and music events like Blues On Broadbeach add real value to our appeal for both domestic and international visitors."

The finalists for this year's GCMAs are now in the running not only for their respective awards but a spot at September's BIGSOUND Live showcase, in front of some of the biggest industry faces from around the world, as well as a spot on next year's Bluesfest Busker's Stage and paid gigs at venues and events across the Gold Coast.

Local music fans also have the opportunity to have their say by voting in the Burleigh Brewing Co. People's Choice Award, which opens 27 May via the GCMAs' website.

The Gold Coast Music Awards will be held at Burleigh Brewing Co. on Thursday 16 June. Tickets are available now, and include a free beer, dinner, performance from 2015 GCMA winners Hanlon Brothers, surprise performances, free transport and entry — with free arrival cocktail — to the Hard Rock Cafe GCMAs after-party. Nice.

See the event's website for more information.

2016 gold coast music awards finalists

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Southport Sharks, Cabana Bar + Lounge

• Amy Shark
• Ella Fence
• Evol Walks
• Hanlon Brothers
• Hussy Hicks

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University

• Aquila Young
• Benny D Williams
• Electrik Lemonade
• Ella Fence
• IVEY
• Jenna Dearness Dark
• Leopold’s Treat

SONG OF THE YEAR
sponsored by NightQuarter

• Golden Fleece by Amy Shark
• Unknown Water by Ella Fence
• Jelly by Jesswar
• Houndogs & Bullfrogs by Leopold’s Treat
• That Old Heartache by Hussy Hicks

MUSIC CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
sponsored by TAFE Gold Coast

• Cindy Jensen
• Emily Holler
• Glenn Tozer
• Guy Cooper
• Matt Webber

EVENT OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Hard Rock Café

• Blues On Broadbeach
• Buskers By The Creek
• La Traviata At Spotlight Theatre
• Summertime Sessions In The Village
• Wallapalooza

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Gold Coast Film Festival

• Apollo by Baltimore Gun Club (nominee Anthony Hrymakowski)
• Baby It’s A Good Song by Cheap Fakes (nominee Smokehouse)
• Golden Fleece by Amy Shark (nominee Amy Shark)
• Wild Heart by ROMY (nominee ROMY)
• Unknown Water by Ella Fence (nominee Double Deuce)
• The One You Love by Casey Barnes (nominees Casey Barnes/Michelle Barnes/Wazza Bray/LMG Digital Media)
• That Old Heartache by Hussy Hicks (nominee Hazel Schravemade)

VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Blank GC

• Soundlounge
• Miami Marketta
• Nightquarter
• elsewhere
• Currumbin Creek Tavern
• The Avenue