With thousands of fans gathering virtually from their own homes tonight, the 2020 Gold Coast Music Awards winners have been revealed with Casey Barnes winning Artist Of The Year and roots duo Busby Marou awarded Release Of The Year.
The Awards, which were live streamed on Facebook, featured special guests Tones And I, Amy Shark, Sophie Monk, Tommy Emmanuel and Michael Chugg, who each shared warm messages of support."Absolutely blown away to win Artist Of The Year. It's definitely been a pretty special last week or so," Casey said to scenestr exclusively.
"Extremely humbled and extra special when it's in your own backyard. A huge thanks to everyone involved in putting the Awards together under difficult circumstances. Was an amazing night to be part of! Extremely humbled and proud to be a Gold Coaster."
Further winners included Eliza And The Delusionals, the indie-rock band winning the Breakout Artist award, while DVNA scored Song Of The Year for her self-produced song 'Looking Like A Snack'.
"So insanely happy and grateful for the award and very appreciative to the brilliant team behind the GCMAs for making it happen," DVNA told scenestr.
Veteran electronica/ world music globetrotters, Tijuana Cartel brought home Live Act Of The Year, with guitarist Julz Parker (of blues and roots act Hussy Hicks) claiming Musician Of The Year honours.
The inaugural winner of the Gold Coast Music Prize is DENNIS. who was thrilled when Tones And I delivered a congratulatory message: "I definitely know how hard it can be as an emerging artist, so that's why it's so great to see an award like the Gold Coast Music Prize help artists and give them a leg up," said the artist whose hit single, 'Dance Monkey', recently became the world's highest ever, Spotify-streamed song by a female artist.
DENNIS. has bagged a 12-month career development package with management advice, PR, video production, media support and more – congratulations! Eyeball her 'Vertigo' music video below. . . this young lady is going places.\
Rounding out the Awards were Lagerstein, winning the fans voted People's Choice Award, Eddie Ray was handed Video Of The Year honours, and Home Of The Arts turned out to be Gold Coast's best Venue Of The Year.
The Awards also featured lounge-room performances from winners Casey Barnes, Busby Marou, DVNA, Eliza And The Delusionals, Hussy Hicks and more.
"The music talent here on the Gold Coast continues to be of the highest standard and I congratulate all of this year's winners," Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate says.
"I have no doubt the industry here on the Gold Coast will bounce back stronger than ever and after the restrictions have eased. I look forward to hearing them once again play their music at venues across the city."
