If you want to know about the freshest new musical talent, go straight to the source: your local live music venue.
The nominees for the Queensland Music Awards People's Choice Awards (presented by Oztix and scenestr) Regional Venue Of The Year have a front-row seat to all the emerging acts and artists that are bubbling away on the verge of blowing up.Discover the best new music coming out of Queensland with this selection of emerging artists.
NightQuarter
Taylah J: A powerful First Nations artist and absolutely killer live performer. We were proud to champion a support slot for her for Bliss n Eso recently and saw first-hand how she engaged and challenged the audience.Sofia Isella: A classically-trained violinist and a unique pop style with effortless cool. Her live show has impressive visuals and showcases her mastery of the violin, piano and guitar. She recently supported Mallrat at NightQuarter and we were enthralled.
Doolie and JaZZella are also ones to watch from the Sunshine Coast music scene. Things are happening up here. Watch this space.
Solbar
Nana's Pie: A blend of folk and soft rock. At the ages of 20, the band are already writing hit songs; emotive and wise, yet still harnessing all the energy and romance of their age.La Frog: French born, Sunny Coast living Ines Burton has teamed with local rhythm makers Jamille and Dylan. Great writers, their female-fronted pop-indie blend is completely infectious.
Eleven Dive Bar
City Council: An amazing Hervey Bay band. They have a great catchy pub-punk sound and are ready to start supporting bigger bands.Vacant Valley: From the Sunshine Coast, they have been together just on a year but have their sound down and musically very tight, and talented. Potential to be really big with the right support and a good manager.
Tanks Arts Centre
Greta Stanley: Greta comes from a very regional location – a little town called Mena Creek and writes extremely observant lyrics and songs. She is brave with her messaging and her look, and has achieved much recognition on ABC, JJJ, Double J and at the QMAs.Jelly Oshen: A multicultural young artist who grew up with music in his bones and assisting his parents putting on festivals in the rainforest. He writes songs older than his age, is hungry to work and play, and his croony, new age, super-smooth style is putting him on high profile supports acts all over Australia.
Voting in the 2022 People's Choice Awards – Metro Venue Of The Year / Regional Venue Of The Year / Festival Of The Year – is open and closes 11:59pm EST 9 March.
The public vote with input from an expert industry panel will decide the winners. Everyone who casts their vote is in the running to win an overnight stay at New Farm's Calile Hotel and a double pass to the 2022 QMAs ceremony.
2022 Queensland Music Awards will be staged at The Fortitude Music Hall (Brisbane) 29 March.
