With submissions opening today (23 November) to the Queensland music community to enter the 2018 Queensland Music Awards, the event has also announced a number of changes to next year's QMAs.
QMusic has revealed that after "a wonderful three years at Brisbane Powerhouse" the 2018 QMAs will move to a new gala format, courtesy of new presenting partners Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds and will be held on Monday 14 May, 2018.
The night will also feature a number of new categories including Live Music Festival of the Year and Live Music Venue of the Year (Metro & Regional) as part of the annual QMA People’s Choice Awards.
While the QMA Song of the Year winner, who already receive a plaque in Fortitude Valley's Walk of Fame, will also receive a promotional prize pack worth $20,000.
Artists can enter their songs in a wide range of categories from pop and rock, to blues, roots, electronic, dance, sou, funk, R&B and many more.
Click here to read the event review of the 2017 QMAs.
QMusic has also revealed its biggest and most diverse judging pool ever for the awards. Among the judges on board for 2018 are Marc Sousley (Sydney City Limits), Petrina Convey (Sony Music Australia), Amy Jarman (BMG Music Australia), Ben Godding (Kobalt Music) and Jack Bridges (Beatport); the full list is below.
QMusic Program Manager and QMA Producer, Trina Massey is excited about the calibre of judges and possibilities for Queensland songwriters.
"Just entering your song, you get to put your music in front of some of the most respected industry movers and shakers from Australia and across the world. That's what so special about the QMAs, the opportunity one gets."
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Mackay songstress Tia Gostelow recounts her 2017 QMA experience in her breakout year. "As a young up and coming regional artist, I can’t explain how honoured I felt to be nominated for an award, let alone six!"
Tia’s advice to those thinking about entering is simple. "If you are a songwriter, make sure you enter your songs!"
Submissions for the Queensland Music Awards will be accepted until January 21, 2018.
Also opening today is the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, funded by the Queensland Government and administered by QMusic.
This scholarship, now in its tenth year, provides $10,000 for an emerging artist to record with an established producer and receive career-planning advice from a Chugg Entertainment representative. Applicants can apply online through QMusic’s website until January 21, 2018 with the winner announced at the 2018 Queensland Music Awards.
Read the 2016 QMA winners here.
2018 QMA Judges
Amy Jarman – A&R Manager, BMG (AUS)
Andrew Stone – Chugg Music (AUS)
Andrew Tuttle – Qld Writer Services, APRA AMCOS (AUS)
Ben Godding – Marketing Director, Kobalt Music/AWAL (AUS)
Ben Preece – Director, Mucho Bravado (AUS)
Brett Volker – Director, Listen (USA)
Chris Reid – Artist, Irrunytju (AUS)
Clare Armstrong – Journalist, The Courier-Mail (AUS)
Craig May - Marketing Director - UK & Europe, Red Bull Records (UK)
Dameila Thompson – Radio Host/DJ, 4ZZZ (AUS)
Dan Biddle – Artist Manager, The McClymonts (AUS)
Dan Condon – Music Editor, Double J (AUS)
Deb Suckling – Director, Sugarrush Music (AUS)
Dominic Miller – Manager/Agent, Bluebeard Music/New World Artists (AUS)
Emma Jones – Managing Editor, Purple Sneakers (AUS)
Gabby Colombi – Director, Global PR Pool (AUS)
Gareth Bryant - National Music Editor, scenestr - Eyeball Media (AUS)
Georgina Ingham-Myers – Program Manager, Nova 106.9 (AUS)
Graham Ashton – Director, Footstomp Music (AUS)
Grant Wallis – Events Operations Manager, Brisbane Marketing (AUS)
Harry Young – A&R Manager, Dew Process (AUS)
Jack Bridges - Director, Label & Artist Relations, Beatport (GER)
James Dein – CEO, Sound Australia (AUS)
James Stevens – Founder & CEO, Doo-Bop Productions (AUS)
Jane Slingo – Executive Producer, Electronic Music Conference (AUS)
Jesse Kuch - Owner, Open Records (AUS)
Joe Alexander – Director, Bedroom Sucks Records (AUS)
Joe Nemer – Tour Coordinator / Tour Manager, Illusive Presents (AUS)
Joey McGahey – Owner/Head of Radio/Editor In Chief, Hysteria Media (AUS)
Johann Ponniah – Founder/Director, I OH YOU (AUS)
Josh Taylor – Managing Director, Cassette Group (AUS)
Julia Bridger – Producer, Bleach Festival (AUS)
Julia Davis – CEO, New World Artists (AUS)
Kate Mills – Licencing Manager, Native Tongue (AUS)
Kathryn Holloway – General Manager, Cattleyard Promotions (AUS)
Katrine Sviland – Music Critic, Aftenposten (NOR)
Knox Lovell – 4ZZZ Radio, 102.1fm (AUS)
Lars Brandle - Australia Correspondent, Billboard (AUS)
Leanne de Souza – Founder/ Director, A Rock and Roll Writers Festival (AUS)
Lynette Irwin – Artistic Director, Brisbane International Jazz Festival (AUS)
Mace Francis – Artistic Director, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (AUS)
Maggie Collins – Executive Programmer, BIGSOUND (AUS)
Marc Sousley – GM, Secret Sounds Touring (AUS)
Matt Lymbury – Content Director, Nightlife Music (AUS)
Maya Janeska – General Manager, UNFD (AUS)
Nicholas Rodwell – Music Director, 4ZZZ (AUS)
Nick Payne – President, Americana Music Association of Australia (AUS)
Noel Mengel – Freelance Music Journalist (AUS)
Oli Frost – Co-Founder & Organiser, The Grass Is Greener (AUS)
Paul Butler – Director, Fifty Fifty Films (AUS)
Petrina Convey – Director - Urban Music (Asia Pacific), Sony Music (AUS)
Rachel Johnston – Director, Strictly Lowdown (AUS)
Rachel Jones-Williams - National Promotions Manager, Caroline Australia (AUS)
Ragnild Nordset – JMC Academy (AUS)
Rusty Thorpe – Touring & Marketing Manager, Bluesfest (AUS)
Sam Cook – Director, KISSmyBLAKarts (AUS)
Sam Morris – CEO, Blank GC & Gold Coast Music Awards (AUS)
Samuel J Fell – Freelance Journalist (AUS)
Sarah Chipman – Managing Director, Title Track (AUS)
Scott Ferris – Owner, Profyle Entertainment (AUS)
Shayne Armstrong – Writer/Producer, Armstrong + Krause Screenwriting Partnership (AUS)
Simon Lewicki – A+R Manager, TMRW Music (AUS)
Simon Mula – Coordinator, BEMAC (AUS)
Sky Kirkham – Producer, The Drawing Room (AUS)
Stephane Elmosnino – Audio Lecturer, SAE (AUS)
Steve Bell - Senior Contributor/Co-owner, The Music/Sonic Sherpa (AUS)
Tim Pellegrino – Managing Director, Summer City Events (AUS)
Tom Inglis – Owner, HSF Artist Services (AUS)
Trad Nathan – Director, Crowbar Brisbane (AUS)
Tyler McLoughlan – Sync Agent, The Sound Pound (AUS)
Vanessa Cohen – Maroochy Music & Visual Arts Festival (AUS)
Viv Mellish – Head of Publicity, Mucho Bravado (AUS)
Zeek Power – Artist & Educator (AUS)
