Voting Is Open For The 2024 QMA People’s Choice Awards
What’s the best venue in Brisbane? What about the best one in Queensland’s regional hotspots? And what festival gets YOU the most hyped?
QMAs 2024 (Supplied)
Attention, Queenslandian music lovers! Now is your time to shine – to make your voice heard, to be the driving force behind the future of this great state’s entertainment scene – to vote in the People's Choice categories at this year’s Queensland Music Awards (QMAs).
Presented by TheMusic.com.au and Oztix, the QMA People’s Choice Awards give Queenslanders the chance to celebrate the haunts that don’t just make their favourite concerts possible, but memorable. There are three awards open for voting: Metro Venue Of The Year, Regional Venue Of The Year and Festival Of The Year.
Even better, everyone that votes in the 2024 QMA People’s Choice Awards will go in the draw to win a double pass for this year’s QMAs ceremony, slated for Wednesday April 17 at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane (Meanjin). Voting is open right now, and will close at 11:59pm AEST on Wednesday March 13 – head here to cast your vote, and read on for a breakdown of all the venues and festivals nominated.
METRO VENUE OF THE YEAR
GREASER
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What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Providing a gender positive environment for everyone that enters. Showcasing a good mix of Male, female and non-binary artists and providing a space for up and coming bands to perform 3 nights a week.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Dark, Gritty, Inclusive, Underground, Safe.”
THE CAVE INN
Photo by Ruth Gardner.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We are most proud of our grass roots authentic Brisbane music scene vibes and the broad range of artists we accomodate on a weekly basis.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Authentic, eclectic, vibrant, ambitious & unapologetic.”
THE ZOO
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“It's HISTORY! The Zoo just turned 31 years old. The life that venue has lived is absolutely phenomenal. And to be apart of that is just an honour. The staff, the bands, the building. It's all just apart of music history in Brisbane. We are so proud to be keeping it alive.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Dynamic, Diverse, Eclectic, Historical, Family.”
THE TRIFFID
Photo by Markus Ravik.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“The Triffid supports local and emerging artists, cares for the suburb and society, and contributes to the Brisbane music scene & culture. We are proud that The Triffid has become a Brisbane icon over the last nine years and the venue is like nothing else in the world. We also feel that the Brisbane music industry, particularly artists, have really embraced the venue and are happy to call it their musical home.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Unique, Inclusive, Fun, Experience, Iconic.”
TOMCAT BAR
Photo by Ummagummamumma Photography.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“The pure number of local bands who have played their first shows here, and have continued to play numerous shows here, and some who have even gone on to outgrow the venue, and the community that has grown.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“local live music.”
EATONS HILL HOTEL
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Eatons Hill Hotel's most cherished achievement encapsulates the venue's unwavering commitment to diversity. Seamlessly incorporating a variety of international and national headliners to suburban Brisbane audiences, the hotel distinguishes itself from most venues by its ability to adapt its space based on ticket sales. This flexibility allows them to expand event capacity for rapidly selling shows and move it to the outdoors. The venue embraces and showcases a diverse array of genres, styles, and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity for all attendees.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“ICONIC. VERSATILE. DIVERSE. DYNAMIC. ENTERTAINMENT-HUB.”
KINGSTON BUTTER FACTORY CULTURAL PRECINCT
Photo by Paul Harris.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Kingston Butter Factory is a heritage building – we are so proud that we have been able to create an accessible and safe space. It is leading the way and proof that a heritage building is not a barrier to creating welcoming spaces.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Vibrant. Welcoming. Authentic. Accessible. Energetic.”
SANDSTONE POINT HOTEL
Photo by Mitch Lowe.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Sandstone Point Hotel takes pride in their diversity of offerings; the venue has seamlessly woven major international headliners with grassroots local talent, to create the ultimate entertainment roster with something for everyone. Set against an iconic waterfront backdrop, Sandstone Point Hotel presents the perfect outdoor setting to enjoy homegrown talent in a location so representative of the cherished Queensland lifestyle. Harmonising musical cultures, Sandstone Point Hotel embraces chart-toppers and emerging artists of various genres, styles and backgrounds, fostering inclusivity for all. The venue takes pride in showcasing an array of talent from their backyard and around the globe. This fusion of renowned and local artists isn't merely entertainment to Sandstone Point Hotel; it's a testament to music's ability to unite and create lasting memories, a mission which the venue takes pride in.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Unique, waterfront, scenic, diverse, lively.”
THE FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL
Photo by James Griffin.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We're proud that The Fortitude Music Hall has become the beating heart of the Fortitude Valley and can drive people to the Valley on weeknights, not just weekends.
“The thing we are most proud of is that we are always striving to provide the best experience possible and give music lovers the opportunity to see world class acts on our stage. A night with us is not just about attending a concert; it's about immersing yourself in the heart of Brisbane's musical scene, creating memories that resonate long after the last note fades. Welcome to a world where music and community converge, and your experience is our priority.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Stunning, Inclusive, Experience, World-Class, Accessible.”
STRANDED BAR
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“At Stranded Bar, our proudest feature is undoubtedly the venue's distinctive and charming atmosphere. The unique character of the space sets us apart, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for our patrons. The ambiance resonates with a special charm that reflects the essence of Stranded Bar. Furthermore, we take immense pride in the exceptional acoustics that grace our venue, providing an unparalleled sonic experience for the bands that grace our stage. This combination of unique ambiance and outstanding acoustics makes Stranded Bar a standout destination for both performers and music enthusiasts alike.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Vibrant, Varied, Distinctive, Rich, Inclusive.”
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
Photo by Lachlan Douglas.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We’re most proud of our innovativeness. We’ve gathered a team who shares a love of new ideas and experimenting—it's the secret sauce that drives us to constantly push boundaries.
“In 2023 we: introduced Australia’s first vertical restaurant; delivered five signature Festivals; launched Night Feast, a month-long sensory celebration of feasting and art; opened Powerhouse Store; announced MELT Open, a new open access LGBTQI+ city-wide Festival; ran our new outdoor venue, the Pleasuredome, for its first full year; and, partnered with Dendy Cinemas to open Brisbane’s first permanent outdoor cinema. Alongside all of this was business as usual, and our teams delivered 350+ performance seasons (ranging from 1-16 shows each), weddings, conferences, installations, artist residencies and more.
“We have the unique ability to work across arts and commercial ventures while consistently upholding a high level of artistic quality. We love to set new standards and make waves.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Respectful. Gutsy. Inventive. Collaborative. Contemporary.”
THE TIVOLI
Photo by Lachlan Douglas.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“In 2023 The Tivoli celebrated 35 years as a music venue, and we are so proud to be considered Brisbane’s most-loved music venue. With a focus on ensuring music can be enjoyed by everyone, we are proud to continually develop our accessibility and inclusion protocols, and of our staff's dedication to providing consistently excellent service.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Iconic. Memorable. Beautiful. Nostalgic. Old-World Charm.”
THE PRINCESS THEATRE
Photo by Darcy Goss.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“The Princess Theatre is proud to have become a key part of the Queensland music scene since its establishment in 2021 - showcasing incredible and diverse artists and genres in a beautiful venue. With a focus on ensuring music can be enjoyed by everyone, we are proud to continually develop our accessibility and inclusion protocols, and of our staff's dedication to providing consistently excellent service.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Dynamic. Contemporary. Inviting. Warm. Heritage Charm.”
WAREHOUSE 25
Photo by Wilson Hodges.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Our greatest pride lies in the foundation of our venue—a grassroots dream, owned and run by us, Cam & Lex. Every part of our operation reflects our dedication. Every facet of our business is hands-on, from managing social media, bookings, providing guidance and practical assistance throughout every stage of the event, to running the bar and even crafting our own gin and vodka.
“Transforming a Milton warehouse into a safe and inclusive space, where creatives grow and community comes together, has been truly rewarding. We've made an economic ecosystem that supports artists and staff alike. Our hands-on approach isn't just about business; it's about nurturing connections. It's these meaningful relationships with emerging Meanjin-based artists that define us—relationships built on shared passion, support, and a commitment to elevating their voices. It's this immersive dedication that defines our venue, where every event is an ode to our passion for music, community, and inclusivity.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Grassroots, inclusive, dynamic, evolving, collaborative.”
BANSHEES BAR & ARTSPACE
Photo by Al Wheeler.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Despite Ipswich’s often-negative reputation, the community that attends Banshees is strong-knit, inclusive and respectful. Patrons look after each other, are open with the bar staff, and inspire each other to further their creative endeavours. Our patrons make our bar what it is, and we couldn’t be more proud of them for the place that they’ve created with us.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Inclusive, engaging, radical, comfortable, inspiring.”
THE JUNK BAR
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We are most proud of the love, care and commitment that each member of our team has for the venue. Everyone who works at The Junk Bar is also actively involved in the music community in Meanjin, so when we put on a night here, everyone goes above and beyond to ensure the performers and our audiences are held in safe space. We work with the artist throughout every stage of the booking process and share the responsibility of promoting the show - from putting up the posters on the window to daily posts on our social media. The performance space is acoustically treated and artists love the care they receive from our roster of in-house sound engineers. Over the last 12 months, we have become a sought after venue in Brisbane for local and touring acts, as artists and agencies know we are reliable, and love what we do.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Grassroots. Local. Unique. Vintage. Home.”
REGIONAL VENUE OF THE YEAR
TANKS ART CENTRE
Photo by Toby Stanley.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“The standout feature of the Tanks Arts Centre is its irreplaceable, magical uniqueness. Situated within World War II oil storage tanks that have been creatively repurposed and nestled into the rainforests of Far North Queensland, the distinctive architecture adds to the overall appeal and provides an exceptional setting for artistic expression.
“This uniqueness overflows into its programming, harnessing local, national, international artists, cultural diversity, and creating community engagement.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Distinctive. Cultural. Contemporary. Innovative. Vibrant.”
SOLBAR
Photo by Eddy Snapped.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“One?! Our crew are absolutely caring, passionate and beautiful people. The consideration they show each other and our patrons is simply mind-blowing, and the passion that they have for the place they work is humbling. Over the years, we have worked hard to retain and grow, creating better pathways so that we can keep the team that we love right here. The vibe they create in the joint, is Solbar!”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Institutional, eclectic, safe, proactive, rad.”
KINGS BEACH TAVERN
Photo by Arnhem Peterson.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“At Kings Beach Tavern we take pride in providing a safe inclusive entertainment offer for all of our staff, artists and punters. There is some thing so magical and inspiring about putting on live entertainment. Its raw passion from both artist and punter create unforgettable memories. Memorable moments are created through a combination of unique and emotionally impactful experiences. Emotional significance is expressed in so many ways yet music is the go to language of the world. Music evokes joy, surprise, love, excitement, personal connection, sensory stimulation, reflection and shared experience’s. Kings Beach Tavern is proud of creating unforgettable memories, a shared passion from all involved, at the end of the day all way have are memories!”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Diverse. Reinvigorated. Iconic. Memorable. Adaptive.”
MIAMI MARKETTA
Photo by Red Stockholm.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We are artist run, all major decisions are still made by the founder and creative director which keeps us authentic and true to our foundations.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Authentic. Original. Passionate. Unique. Energetic.”
OODIES CAFE
Photo by Jason Haack.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“We are so proud of the relationships we have nurtured with our musicians and the punters. We have all worked together to create an ambience that allows like minded people to come together in such a beautiful and respectful manner and celebrate original live music.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Eclectic, warm, inclusive, ambient, intimate.”
MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your venue?
“Mo's Desert Clubhouse is an all-inclusive music and collaborative space promoting the values of CREATE, INSPIRE and COLLABORATE. The space has been open for 6 years now, in which time it has grown from a simple inclusive dream into a fully fledged independent ticketed music venue, hosting some of Australia's biggest names including C.W Stoneking, The Bennies, Thornhill, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Sunk Loto and many more, having now delivered over 3,000 live sets since it's inception.
“The venue has twice been nominated for Gold Coast Live Music Venue of the Year as well being a QMusic Metro Venue of the Year finalist, having now cemented it's place in the Gold Coast cultural framework with consistent positive delivery. We are proud of our achievements but always keen to do more for the community and Australian music scene as best we can.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Inclusive. Friendly. Professional. Community-minded. Fun.”
FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
SWEET RELIEF!
Photo by James Adams.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your festival?
“Our mandate was to create an atmosphere where patrons could embrace the “sweet relief” of authentic self-expression. We are most proud of the way our audience embraced this, bringing an infectious energy to celebrate the diversity and character of our beautiful river city. The impact we created in the first year of this brand-new, inclusive, and accessible festival includes:
4220 attendees
92% of attendees agreed “This is a great event”
93% say the event adds to the appeal of Brisbane
1,817 visitor nights generated for Queensland
Total economic impact of $1.5M+
63 FTE jobs supported
68 suppliers engaged
“This event formed the cornerstone of QMF’s collaboration with QMusic/Bigsound and Brisbane Festival, in our coordinated push to make Brisbane THE place to be for Aussie and international music-lovers in September.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Inclusive, vibrant, diverse, transformational, local.”
ΩHM
Photo by Lachlan Douglas.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your festival?
“Witnessing the wholehearted embrace of OHM by the Brisbane community in its inaugural year, coupled with the sustained demand for more innovative art and performances, is truly gratifying. The team takes great pride in curating a diverse range of cutting-edge, boundary-pushing artists, making it heartwarming to see the local community engaged and enthusiastic, and excited for 2024 and beyond.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“The Festival of Other Music.”
THE BATTLE OF THE ROCK BANDS
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your festival?
“We give students the opportunity to perform in an authentic rock atmosphere before their friends, family, and wider community. Since its inception in 2016 it has grown bigger each year and is seen by many colleges as the go to festival event to perform at. Each year we hear stories of local bands and individuals who have furthered their musical careers, and we are chuffed that the BOTRB gave them an opportunity to progress along chosen musical path.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Camaraderie, Priceless, Talent, Amazing, Unique.”
TABLELANDS FOLK FESTIVAL
Photo by Jenni Kruck.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your festival?
“It's True Community Spirit. The entire festival is run by a team of over 100 fantastic volunteers. Some have been volunteering for its entire 42-year history. It's like a giant family reunion. If it's your first festival, and you attend alone, you'll have found your tribe by Sunday arvo. One patron said, 'This Festival resets my soul'. Can't get any better than that.”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Magic through Music in Paradise.”
GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER
Photo by Leeroy Todd.
What is the single one thing you are most proud of when talking about your festival?
“We are proud of our loyal patrons who year after year return to the Gympie Music Muster with their families and friends. The atmosphere at the Muster is well known for its friendly vibe and our punters are highly engaged with the festival, some even camp at the site from three weeks prior to the start of the event. Campers have made lifelong friends at the Muster and each year secure a site next to each other to enjoy the special camaraderie that has been formed. Many purchase their tickets at the end of each festival, happy to rebook for the following year without knowing which artists will be performing – it’s all about the unique atmosphere and a beautiful bush setting.
“As the saying goes ‘There are no strangers at the Muster, just friends you haven’t met yet.’”
What are five words that describe your venue?
“Community – 28 community groups are paid to assist with the running of our festival. The Muster provides these clubs and charities with the perfect way to raise funds. $400000 raised for community groups and initiatives.
“Mates – As the saying goes “There are no strangers at the Muster, just friends you haven’t met yet”. The Muster is well known as the festival to meet lifelong mates and its laid-back friendly vibe.
“Camping – Free camping is available with adult Muster tickets. Campers immerse themselves in the atmosphere and add colour and fun by creating the most amazing, decorated campsites.
“Music – So much more than just great music. Over 120 artists plus workshops, dancing & more!
“Families – all the family is welcome, kids 12 and under are free & teen tickets are affordable. ‘Kids Country’ area keeps our young patrons entertained during the day with many activities.”
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