Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum was the standout star of the 2023 Queensland Music Awards, taking home the Song Of The Year and the Pop awards for her single 'Backseat Of My Mind'.
Hosted by Katherine Feeney and Kevin Yow Yeh, the evening was a celebration of the music and stories of our state crowning the best musicians across 27 categories to a sold-out audience.Brisbane indie royalty Ball Park Music were awarded Album Of The Year (for their sixth studio album 'Weirder & Weirder') before a surprise performance of 'Stars In My Eyes' and 'Weirder & Weirder'.
The night also enjoyed performances from Casey Barnes, Hope D, Uncle Bob Wetherall, Katie Noonan, Dameeeela and a show-starting opening number by Sahara Beck.
"From the extraordinary success of established artists like Thelma Plum to emerging artists like Lottie McCleod, these awards are a recognition of the phenomenal music that our artists create. I am always so blown away by the immense talent coming out of our state," CEO of QMusic, Kris Stewart says.
It was an incredible night for First Nations women with Sycco taking out the Electronic award for her single 'Ripple' and Central Queensland singer Miiesha receiving the Soul, Funk and R&B award for her single 'Still Dream'.
Rising indie icon Yb. won the Folk category, while local punks WAAX took out the Rock category for the second consecutive year with their latest single 'No Doz', and DZ Deathrays accepted the Heavy award for their track 'Paranoid'.
Other winners include mou and Menaka Thomasin in the World category with 'Space', Jen Mize & The Rough N' Tumble in Blues and Roots with 'All Riled Up' and rising Brisbane-based rapper Khi'leb in the Hip Hop category with 'Cheques'.
Local industry icon, and drummer for The Go Betweens, Belinda 'Lindy' Morrison OAM was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work as an advocate for First Nations people and women in the music industry as well as her outstanding contribution to Queensland music.
Another special moment of the evening was a stunning rendition of 'Devil May Care', performed by Katie Noonan in tribute to devoted Queensland music advocate and 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lynette Irwin, who passed away in recent weeks.
Over $45,000 in scholarships were also awarded throughout the night with Sahara Beck securing the Grant McLennan Fellowship for which she will receive $15,000 to travel to New York, London, or Berlin and be immersed in their vibrant music culture.
NEISH received the Billy Thorpe Scholarship earning $15,000 to the emerging artist record their next release with an established producer alongside career planning from industry juggernaut Chugg Entertainment.
The Carol Lloyd Award to support emerging female identifying or non-binary to record a full-length album or tour an EP was awarded to sun-bleached rockers Platonic Sex.
