2025 Sunshine Coast Music Awards Winners

The Sunshine Coast Music Awards celebrated its inaugural event this month, awarding a collection of prizes for talented acts in the local music industry.

Local industry legends came together at Birtinya music venue, The Station, for a night of networking, live performance, and recognition. Ziggy Alberts, Betty Taylor, and Yama-Nui Recording Studio were among the big winners of the evening. . . And audiences were treated to performances from Betty Taylor, Frank And Louis, Chamber Lane, Nana’s Pie and Harlum.



Plus, indie-popstars Betty Taylor took home three of the region’s newest, most coveted awards – including Live Act Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Rising Star Of The Year. The all-femme line-up scored a spot on stage at the Coast’s flagship music event, the Big Pineapple Festival.

Radio presenter and SCMIC Vice Chair Sarah Howells co-hosted the evening with celebrity TV producer Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, alongside presenters like singer-songwriter Andrea Kirwin, University Of The Sunshine Coast’s Dr Lachlan Goold (Magoo), and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

Betty Taylor

Ziggy Alberts – known for his album ‘Laps Around The Sun’ – took home Artist Of The Year, and Minnie Marks was awarded Musician Of The Year.

“Well I can tell you know that I certainly wasn’t expecting that! I’m still pinching myself to be presented with the Musician Of The Year award at this year’s Sunshine Coast Music Awards!” Minnie says on socials. “We had such a good time! It was such a great night filled with so many amazing artists/people of passion. And a night I’ll never forget. My cup is overflowing. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!”


The First Nations Award went to industry stalwart Uncle Kevin Starkey, while Yama-Nui Recording Studio became Recording Studio Of The Year. On the subject of venues, iconic music destination Solbar scored Venue Of The Year, while teenage brothers Frank And Louis grabbed the Young Artist Of The Year award.

2025 Sunshine Coast Music Awards Winners

Artist Of The Year

Ziggy Alberts
Finalists: Betty Taylor, High Tropics and Raw Ordio

Artwork Of The Year

Lahni Thorogood
Finalists: builtfromboxes and jeunae elita

First Nations

Kevin Starkey
Finalist: Daddy Frank

Live Act Of The Year

Betty Taylor
Finalists: Raw Ordio and Sunny Coast Rude Boys

Musician Of The Year

Minnie Marks
Finalists: Josiah Niven and Pat Tierney

Punter Of The Year

Leigh Kuryj
Finalist: Letricia (Letty) Delaney

Recording Studio Of The Year

Yama Nui Studios
Finalists: Big Rock Studio and Glasshouse Studios

Rising Star Of The Year

Betty Taylor
Finalists: Frank and Louis and Wave Raiders

Song Of The Year

Betty Taylor, ‘Young, Dumb And Immature’
Finalists: Buttermello, ‘Let Me Down Easy’, Ziggy Alberts, ‘I’m With You’ and Frank and Louis,’ FAT MAN’

Venue Of The Year

Solbar
Finalists: Norton Music Factory and The Station

Young Artist Of The Year

Frank and Louis
Finalists: Ampersand and Wave Raiders