Staged today at the Home Of The Arts, the winners of the 2021 Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMA) have been celebrated with 500 Queensland musicians, music industry and fans attending the glamorous red carpet event.
Thousands more tuned into the Awards via livestream to see Casey Barnes go back-to-back, the ARIA chart topping country music star again walking away with the coveted Artist Of The Year title."The last two years have been pretty tough," Barnes says, "but we've also worked harder than ever as a team, so it's nice to have that recognised and to get together as an industry and celebrate.
"Amy, I'm coming for you!" Casey joked, referring to Amy Shark's GCMA Hall Of Fame status after her three consecutive Artist Of The Year wins.
Emerging indie pop artist Beckah Amani (who recently performed with Tones and I as well as winning two 2021 Queensland Music Awards earlier this year) scooped up two GCMAs gongs: Song Of The Year and Video Of The Year for her earthy and beautiful 'STANDARDS' single.
"'STANDARDS' is my most vulnerable work," Amani says.
"Turning this reflective poem into a song and releasing it was both liberating and important for me and my people, and the recognition today is super encouraging as an emerging artist."
Hip hop artist Jesswar – who has had a productive year releasing her six-track EP 'TROPIXX' as well as touring nationally (prior to the lockdowns coming back) – won the Breakout Artist Of The Year award.
Psychedelic surf-rockers Peach Fur (Live Act Of The Year) and multi-instrumentalist and producer Scott French (Musician Of The Year) each won their very own GCMA Skull Murphy trophy.
Meanwhile the soulful blues record 'Lifeblood' by Karl S. Williams took out Release Of The Year; and cool community hub, Mo's Desert Clubhouse went home with Venue Of The Year.
Winning the popular vote was Euca, awarded the People's Choice Award; while the career-defining Gold Coast Music Prize went to alt-rock band Selve, providing 12 months of performance, media and mentorship opportunities.
"We're still overwhelmed that the Awards actually happened," GCMA director, Chloe Popa says.
"It was devastating when our presenting partner, SPRINGTIME Festival, had to postpone, but to have 500 musicians and music lovers in the room today was magic.
"With incredible performances by Beckah Amani, Karl S. Williams, DENNIS., Mass Sky Raid and daste, we feel like today summed up what we know and love about this city: unwavering support, a rich arts scene, musical hits and a touch of glitz."
Gold Coast Music Awards 2021 Winners
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Casey Barnes
BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jesswar
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Peach Fur
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Scott French
RELEASE OF THE YEAR
Karl S Williams - 'Lifeblood'
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beckah Amani - 'Standards'
VENUE OF THE YEAR
Mo's Desert Clubhouse
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Beckah Amani - 'Standards'
GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE
Selve
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Euca
