The Queensland Music Awards celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, and voting has just opened for a few People’s Choice Awards.
Queensland’s best and brightest musicians, events and venues will be celebrated at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday, 22 April. The QMAs honour artists in blues, folk, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, country, electronic and more, with a panel of over 100 Australian and international music industry professionals voting for the winners.
You can also have your say ahead of this year’s award ceremony by voting in the 2026 QMAs People’s Choice Awards, boosting the state’s music industry while you’re at it.
Presented by The Music, online voting is now open across three competitive categories: Festival of the Year, Regional Venue of the Year and Metro Venue of the Year.
Every vote will be entered in a draw to win a VIP experience for two at this year’s Queensland Music Awards. Premium seating, exclusive access, and an unforgettable night are on offer. Voting is now open and closes at 11:59 pm AEST on Friday, 30 January—Head to The Music to cast your vote.
In a statement, QMusic CEO Kris Stewart explained that the QMAs support Queensland artists and the live performance sector.
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“For two decades, the QMAs have shone a spotlight on the dedication and diversity of Queensland’s top musical talent, from the most promising emerging artists to established legends such as Amy Shark, Keith Urban and Thelma Plum,” Stewart said.
“It is a great privilege to celebrate and share another year of incredible Queensland success stories across all facets of this sector, and to give music fans the opportunity to have their voices heard in the supremely popular People’s Choice Awards.”
The QMAs People’s Choice Awards nominees are:
2026 QMA Festival of the Year
Gympie Music Muster
The Ekka
Savannah in the Round
Whitsundays Songwriter Festival
Maleny Music Festival
Lasso Country Music Festival
QLD Music Trails: The Reef - Between the Tides
Tablelands Folk Festival
QLD Music Trails: The Outback
Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival
Airlie Beach Festival of Music
Sundown
Clairvaux MacKillop College’s Battle of the ROCK Bands
2026 QMA Regional Venue of the Year
Sandstone Point Hotel
Tanks Arts Centre
Miami Marketta
Norton Music Factory
Banshees Bar & Artspace
Imperial Hotel Eumundi
Den Devine
The Presynct Venue & Bar
Eatons Hill Hotel
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
2026 QMA Metro Venue of the Year
Black Bear Lodge
The Princess Theatre
Crowbar Brisbane
The Tivoli
The Brightside
The Triffid
The Cave Inn
Fortitude Music Hall
The Junk Bar






