Gold Coast’s premier music industry event, the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs), has announced its 2025 finalists, with winners to be crowned at a glittering red-carpet gala and live concert on Thursday 27 November at HOTA, Home of the Arts
Now in its 11th year, the GCMAs continue to spotlight the incredible talent, diversity and success of the South East Queensland music industry.
This year’s Awards celebrate achievements across ten categories, alongside the People’s Choice Award and the coveted Gold Coast Music Prize.
Finalists have been carefully selected by a panel of respected industry leaders, including promoters, producers, songwriters, musicians, venue managers, booking agents and creatives.
Adding to the festivities, the 2025 Awards will this year coincide with Ausmusic T-Shirt Day. Guests are encouraged to wear their favourite Australian music tee—bonus points for showcasing a Gold Coast artist—for a red-carpet photo moment that champions the national music community.
BOOK YOUR GCMA TICKETS HERE
Gold Coast Music Awards 2025 Finalists:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Beckah Amani
Chloe Styler
Ella Fence
Hollow Coves
Hussy Hicks
Lecia Louise
Mitch King
The Wrath
BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Hanlon School of Music
Andy Penkow
bella amor
Lily Grace
Lyric
Parker
Selve
TANISHA
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Gold Coast Music
bella amor
Bootleg Rascal
Haystack Mountain Hermits
Hollow Coves
Hussy Hicks
Lyric
Selve
TANISHA
Terremoto Band
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Dave Amphlett – Drums
Ella Fence – Voice
Jamie Keys – Drumkit
Liam Kirk – Keys
Maddison Breen – Multi-instrumentalist
Robbie Bostock – Guitar
Shane Hannan – Trombone
Sunny Luwe – Vocals
William Hoareau – Guitar
RELEASE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by City of Gold Coast
Beckah Amani – This is how I remember it.
Blind Corners – Mud
Eimhin – Modern Mending (Of The Heart)
Fake News – Dead Set
Hussy Hicks – Bluesfest Desk Tapes
Jackson James Smith – I Made This On My Laptop 4 U
Jim Ottaway – A Promise of Eternity
Lily Grace – Old Enough To Know Better
Loose Goose – Not A Big Fan
TANISHA – On My Terms
The Wrath – Into the Arms of Oblivion
Wildheart – Searching For Life Beyond Tragedy
SONG OF THE YEAR
sponsored by HOTA, Home of the Arts
Atticus Chimps – Cradle Cage
Beckah Amani – Superstar
bella amor – rocks in my pocket
Blind Corners – My Mountain
Bunyip Aristocracy – The Spell
Chloe Styler – Read A Room
Eimhin – The Dawn Comes In Through Our Window
Lily Grace – Old Enough To Know Better
Loose Goose – What I’d Do (For You)
Lyric – Make A Move
Maddison Breen – Odesa (ft. AMELA)
Selve – Breaking Into Heaven
STUDIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Emily Hopley
George Carpenter
Josh Beattie
Luke Palmer
okmattcollins
VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Oztix
Burleigh Town Hotel
Den Devine
elsewhere
Vinnies Dive
Wallaby Hotel
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
sponsored by The Edit Suite
Chloe Styler – Twenty Five
DENNIS. – RENT
Eimhin – Some Strange Beauty
Fake News – Southbound
HAMMERS – Fucked Around & Found Out
Junior Burger – Big Boy Big Girl
Kaosphere – Bring Out The Dead
Lavelin – Forget About Us
Loose Goose – What I’d Do (For You)
MAD WXRLD – Who You Lovin ft. Stt Laurentt
Selve – Breaking Into Heaven
The Wrath – Nothing’s Forever
VISUAL CREATIVE OF THE YEAR
Bianca Hinton
Gourami
Jared Hinz
Keely Baker
Liam Shane Rawson Blenkinsop
Simone Gorman-Clark
Tim Wilson
GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE
sponsored by Friends of the Arts
Alanah Stone
Blind Corners
Bronte Lee
Jamie Lamont
KLACEY
Loose Goose
MYLES
Zayden Kennedy
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
sponsored by Burleigh Brewing
Open to all finalists – open for public voting Thursday 30 October
Finalists announced Thursday 20 November
Samantha Morris, Co-Founder of the Awards, and Co-chair of the Judging Panel said she was thrilled to see the standard of nominations continue to rise.
“The quality of entries this year has been incredible, every year it seems to get tougher to narrow the 100s of nominations down to just a handful of finalists.”
“The talent coming out of the Gold Coast just keeps growing and this year’s finalists are a powerful reflection of the city’s vibrant and world-class music scene.”
Chloe Popa, Co-Founder of the Awards said the talent coming out of the Gold Coast right now is un-matched.
“For a regional city, we’ve always gone toe-to-toe with the big players, and it’s amazing to see the national industry taking notice.”
“More and more people are realising that the Gold Coast isn’t just a place known for it’s beaches, it’s home to some seriously world-class artists.”
Gold Coast Music Awards is an initiative of the Gold Coast Music Network, proudly supported by City of Gold Coast, Invest Gold Coast and HOTA, Home of the Arts.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Peta-Jayne Habner | 0417 709 190 | pj@pjmarketingandmedia.com.au