The people have spoken with the votes collated to reveal the finalists of the Queensland Music Awards' 2022 People's Choice Awards as voters championed their favourite festivals and venues.
More than 4,000 votes were recorded from a pool of 12 metro venue nominees, 4 regional nominees and 10 festival nominees.The Tivoli and Princess Theatre are the Metro Venue Of The Year finalists; NightQuarter and Solbar are Regional Venue Of The Year finalists; while Airlie Beach Festival Of Music and Birdsville Big Red Bash are the Festival Of The Year finalists.
The nominees for the Emerging Artist Of The Year Award have also been highlighted with Day1, Hallie, Wildheart, Yb. and Zheani to battle it out for top honours.
The Regional Venue Of The Year will be contested between two Sunshine Coast establishments – NightQuarter and Solbar – who have both contributed significantly to the development of the area's live music scene.
"We are coming up to our 11th birthday, with looking forward to that milestone, this is just the icing on the cake," shares Solbar.
"We have worked hard to be a very active part in the Sunshine Coast growing its music culture and providing musical opportunity, and to be recognised for that four years in a row is. . . well, none of us can wipe the smiles of our faces.
"Thanks to everyone that voted for us, and to all the punters, bands and crew that have been with us on this journey. Good luck and congratulations to everyone in the running this year."
Adds NightQuarter: "We are so grateful to the musicians and music lovers who have voted for us in becoming a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards 2022, Regional Venue Of The Year - Peoples Choice!
"The Sunshine Coast is a vibrant live music destination and we are so proud to be a part of bringing this region to life. Thank you to QMusic and live music lovers for keeping venues like ours alive."
The two finalists for Metro Venue Of The Year hark back to Brisbane's past with a couple of grand old buildings getting the nod of the people. "We are ecstatic to have not one, but both of our venues shortlisted for Metro Venue Of The Year in the 2022 QMAs!" admits the team behind The Tivoli and Princess Theatre.
"The Princess Theatre only reopened to the public in October last year, so we're stoked that we've had such an impact in such a short period of time.
"It's not been easy opening a new venue in the middle of a global pandemic, but this just proves our hard work is paying off.
"To have our newest girl (though technically she's older) shortlisted alongside the iconic and much-loved Tivoli is such an honour. We couldn't have hoped for (and certainly didn't expect) a better outcome, so we're winners either way."
The Emerging Artist Of The Year Award fosters support and acknowledges emerging talent within Queensland. Here's what this year's nominees had to say.
Day1: "It's crazy to be one of the emerging artists of the year; just a couple of years ago this was all a dream. Now we're being recognised by Queensland Music Awards; pretty hectic, thank you for the opportunity."
Hallie: "I am so excited and humbled to be receiving this nomination. Feels amazing to have my art be acknowledged and appreciated within my community. Love you QMusic and triple j unearthed <3."
Wildheart: "We are very humbled to be nominated as a finalist in the Emerging Artist Of The Year category at this year's Queensland Music Awards. It has been a big year in the Wildheart camp with the release of our debut full length album 'Global Crisis' and it is an amazing feeling to have the culmination of that hard work acknowledged at this event."
Yb.: "To be considered in such an incredibly diverse music scene honestly feels surreal to me. I just wanted to congratulate all the artists and of course the QMusic network for providing an amazing platform to share our stories."
2022 People's Choice Awards
Metro Venue Of The Year FinalistsThe Princess Theatre
The Tivoli
Regional Venue Of The Year Finalists
NightQuarter
Solbar
Festival Of The Year Finalists
Airlie Beach Festival Of Music
Birdsville Big Red Bash
Emerging Artist Of The Year Award Nominees
Day1
Hallie
Wildheart
Yb.
Zheani
