Finalists for the 2026 Queensland Music Awards represent a broad cross-section of the industry; from globally recognised acts to emerging artists, each contributing to the vibrant, invigorated local music scene.
Across more than 20 categories, 80 finalists represent music excellence from pop, country, electronic, and rock, to folk, hip hop, jazz, screen composition, visual storytelling and much more.
There are plenty of recognisable names vying for awards in 2026; from Meg Washington, The Jungle Giants, Young Franco, DZ Deathrays, Mallrat and Amy Sheppard, to Jem Cassar-Daley, GLVES, The Dreggs, The Kite String Tangle, Dami Im and Ziggy Alberts.
There's also a healthy selection of emerging talent whose contributions have been acknowledged as well with nominees including BADASSMUTHA, Selve, Radium Dolls, Bean Magazine, ixaras and Denzel Kennedy, to Wade Forster, Tori Darke, Jake Whittaker and Lontano.
"Honoured to announce my single 'Country Country' is a finalist in the 2026 Queensland Music Awards Country category," posted Amy Sheppard.
"So proud of my new album and an absolute bonus that it's getting recognition from Queensland Music Awards in my home state."
Denzel Kennedy posted: "Massive honour to be nominated for a Queensland Music Awards Hip Hop category. '1997' is a bold track that released as a declaration of my arrival on the rap scene, and this year I'm keen to take it to another level. New music on the way. PEACE 🔥🤯."
This year's awards ceremony will be staged outside Brisbane for the first time, with Gold Coast's Miami Marketta (who are finalists for the Regional Venue Of The Year award) to take over hosting responsibilities.
"😍 Tuesday, we can't get enough of you😝!" posted Miami Marketta. "Not only are we super excited to be nominated for the Queensland Music Venue Of The Year, but we can now say we are also going to be hosting the awards right here at Miami Marketta 😁! Gold Coast is the winner here!"
Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate is excited to welcome the music industry celebration to his backyard. "Why wouldn't the Queensland Music Awards be hosted in Australia's very own Hollywood?
"Honestly, it's a match made in heaven or should I say – Miami. We're investing in live music and entertainment in a way no other city in the country is, so it's nice to have that recognised by being the first location outside of Brisbane to host Queensland's music industry's night of nights.
"This shows our city is fast becoming a powerhouse for music, screen, creative talent and enterprise," Tate says.
Presented by QMusic and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, four annual Queensland Music Awards scholarships honour and acknowledge the contributions of music legends Billy Thorpe, Carol Lloyd, Dennis 'Mop' Conlon and Grant McLennan.
Recipients share in $60,000 across these four scholarships and awards, which are targeted to Queensland artists at pivotal stages of their careers.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek MP said nurturing the careers of Queensland's emerging and established music creators is essential to building and sustaining the state's live music industry.
"The Crisafulli Government proudly supports these awards and scholarships honouring four music icons who kickstarted their extraordinary careers in Queensland.
"This year's exceptional finalists each bring their own stories and artistry to Queensland's vibrant art scene, enriching the cultural life of communities across the state."
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Queensland Music Awards at Miami Marketta (Gold Coast) on 22 April. Tickets to the awards will go on sale from 12 April.
2026 Queensland Music Awards Finalists
Blues/Roots
Ella Hartwig
Freight Train Foxes
Lontano
Tom Harrison
Children's Music
Cheeky Monkey Club
Donna Dyson - Spotty Kites
Joff Bush
The Wobble Bus
Contemporary Classical
Abigail Lui & Camerata, Queensland's Chamber Orchestra
Emma Di Marco
Rachel Hocking
Shugorei
Country
Amy Sheppard
Jake Whittaker
Tori Darke
Wade Forster
Electronic
GLVES
Lemonade Baby
The Kite String Tangle
Young Franco
Folk
Meg Washington
Minor Gold
The Dreggs
Ziggy Alberts
Heavy
Citadel
SLOWCUT
Torizon
Upsetter
Hip Hop
Denzel Kennedy
I AM D
JJ4K Say
True God
Jazz
Dami Im
Luke Cuerel
Rick Best
SOLCHLD & Callum Pask Trio
Music For Screen
Ack Kinmonth
Arthur Hayes
Dami Im
Georgia D'Arcy
Music Video Of The Year
Adam Potts
Lawson Cross
Loki Liddle
Tom Carroll
Pop
BADASSMUTHA
ixaras
Jem Cassar-Daley
The Jungle Giants
Rock
Bean Magazine
DZ Deathrays
Radium Dolls
Selve
Soul, Funk & R&B
BADASSMUTHA
JJ4K Say
True God
TANISHA
World Award
Djawarray
Eddie Gazani
Shugorei
Tenzin Choegyal
Producer Of The Year
Cody McWaters
Josh Beattie
Luke Palmer
Mallrat
Accessible & Inclusive Venue Of The Year
Den Devine
The Fortitude Music Hall
The Cave Inn
The Princess Theatre
Festival Of The Year
Airlie Beach Festival of Music
Gympie Music Muster
Maleny Music Festival
Sundown
Metro Venue Of The Year
The Fortitude Music Hall
The Cave Inn
The Princess Theatre
The Tivoli
Regional Venue Of The Year
Miami Marketta
Mo's Desert Clubhouse
Sandstone Point Hotel
Tanks Arts Centre
