Last night's Queensland Music Awards saw a stack of recognised names walk away winners, alongside a number of emerging artists who received their inaugural QMA awards.
Staged at The Fortitude Music Hall (who won Metro Venue Of The Year) in Brisbane (25 March), the ceremony attracted some of the biggest names in Queensland music as wells the next-gen of stars currently making waves.DJ, producer and electronic artist Young Franco was the big winner, scooping up three awards including Song Of The Year ('Wake Up feat. Master Peace').
Family connections were also a major part of the 2025 awards with Troy Cassar-Daley winning Album Of The Year ('Between The Fires') with his daughter Jem taking out the Indigenous Award for the second time, and bringing her QMA tally to four wins overall.
One of the night's biggest (and beautiful) moments saw acclaimed singer-songwriter Christine Anu presented the Lifetime Achievement Award as her daughter, Zipporah Corser-Anu, performed an extraordinary rendition of 'My Island Home' in tribute to her mother.
Amy Shark collected two wins: Highest Selling Single ('Beautiful Eyes') and Highest Selling Album ('Sunday Sadness') bringing her grand total of QMA wins to a staggering 18 awards.
The live entertainment saw a quartet of artist-bands gracing the stage twice with Beddy Rays winning the Rock Award, Randy Thrill$ taking out the Hip Hop Award, Full Moon Flower Band walking away with the Blues-Roots Award and emerging singer-songwriter Denvah scooping up the Country Award.
"I think 2025 is the year for crazy shenanigans to happen that I never expected 🫠 What an honour. . . my first Queensland Music Awards [win] 🥹," posted Denvah.
While Beddy Rays were genuinely shocked they won. "WE WON A F...IN AWARD BABYYY! Bloody stoked to bring home the choccies in the Rock category at the Queensland Music Awards with our song 'Stay The Same' 🤘 We even got to perfom the song at the awards ceremony! What a special night. . . To our crew, management, family, and friends, thank you for everything! We love yas all! ❤️ Lastly to all you legends who support us, we love ya that bloody much ❤️. This one's for you Brin 💜"
First Nations multi-instrumentalist Rudy Matoy was honoured with the third annual Dennis 'Mop' Conlon Scholarship. Frontman of psych-rock act Golden Age of Ballooning, Wolfe Peterson secured the Grant McLennan Fellowship.
Hip hop standout Miles Nautu received the Billy Thorpe Scholarship while The Carol Lloyd Award was awarded to nostalgia-soaked Brisbane artist Dana Gehrman.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek congratulated the winners of the scholarships.
"These scholarships will champion the work of Queensland contemporary music artists, providing $15,000 each to forge their career path in the music industry, while honouring the legacy of four Queensland music icons: Dennis 'Mop' Conlon, Grant McLennan, Billy Thorpe and Carol Lloyd.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to championing the state's music industry and the depth of local talent, investing in the work of artists, organisations, festivals and venues, and in QMusic's delivery of showcase and industry conference BIGSOUND.
"A thriving live music scene is critical to Queensland's cultural vibrancy, nightlife economy, and the delivery of broader economic and social outcomes in communities right across the state."
