Meg Washington, The Jungle Giants, Young Franco & More Among Finalists For 2026 Queensland Music Awards

“This year, the QMAs returns to its roots,” says QMusic CEO Kris Stewart.

Meg Washington, The Jungle Giants & Young Franco(Credit: Supplied)

Things are heating up in the Queensland music scene, with the finalists now announced for the 2026 Queensland Music Awards.

The 20th edition of the awards, the 2026 QMAs are set to be a massive year, with some of the state’s biggest names up for awards, including the likes of Meg Washington (in the Folk category), The Jungle Giants (in the pop Category), and Young Franco (in the Electronic category).

Young Franco’s status as a finalist comes following an impressive showing at last year’s awards, where he took home three pieces of silverware – including the Song of the Year and Electronic Music Award (for Wake Up ft. Master Peace) and the Export Achievement Award.

This year also sees the likes of Amy Sheppard, Jake Whittaker, Tori Darke, and Wade Forster going head to head in the Country category; Bean Magazine, DZ Deathrays, Radium Dolls, and Selve competing in the Rock category, and Jem Cassar-Daley, The Dreggs, and Ziggy Alberts rounding out the Folk nominations.

This year’s edition of the QMAs will take place on Wednesday, April 22nd, and also sees the event hitting the road, moving on from The Fortitude Music Hall like previous events, and instead heading to Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast – the first time the event has been held outside of Brisbane.

This move reflects what organisers are labelling a renewed focus on celebrating creativity, community, and all of the music that makes Queensland proud.

“This year, the QMAs returns to its roots,” says QMusic CEO Kris Stewart. “We're putting the art and artists at the centre by returning to an informal ‘music-first’ show that prioritises the important things: music and mates”

“As the industry evolves, it can be easy to get lost in the grandness of the awards ecosystem and lose site of the rock ‘n roll attitude that bought us here,” Stewart continued.

“We're excited to invite our incredible 2026 finalists to celebrate with us at our brand-new location as we connect and recognise the people who make this state such a powerful force in global music.”

“Why wouldn’t the Queensland Music Awards be hosted in Australia’s very own Hollywood?” adds Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate. “Honestly, it’s a match made in heaven or should I say–Miami.

“We’re investing in live music and entertainment in a way no other city in the country is, so it’s nice to have that recognised by being the first location outside of Brisbane to host Queensland’s music industry’s night of nights.

“This shows our city is fast becoming a powerhouse for music, screen, creative talent and enterprise,” Tate added.

Alongside the main awards, finalists for the Billy Thorpe Scholarship, the Carol Lloyd Award, the Dennis 'Mop' Conlon Scholarship, and the Grant McLennan Fellowship have also been announced, with the likes of Mid Drift, Lyric, Kaylah Truth, and Ella Fence appearing throughout these nominations.

Presented by QMusic and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, recipients share in $60,000 across these four scholarships and awards, which are targeted to Queensland artists at pivotal stages of their careers.

These scholarship winners will be announced at the Parliamentary Friends of the Music Industry event on Wednesday, March 25th. The full Queensland Music Awards will be handed out on Wednesday, April 22nd at Miami Marketta, with public tickets to the awards on sale from Thursday, March 12th.