We’ve come a long way since launching the Gold Coast Music Awards in an empty brewery back in 2015. What began as a one-night celebration of local talent has grown into a year-round program of events, activities and opportunities designed to support and connect the Gold Coast music community.
Here’s just a little snapshot of what the rest of 2025 looks like.
Music Industry Mingle – Access All Areas
📅 Wednesday 21 May, from 5:30pm
📍 Den Devine, Broadbeach
We’re kicking off our 2025 music industry mingles with an evening of live music, connection and conversation. Hosted in partnership with Den Devine, this first session shines a light on accessibility in the music industry—a topic that’s close to our hearts and essential for building a more inclusive, supportive scene.
Sounds Like Gold
📅 Sunday 1 June, 3:00pm-9:30pm
📍 HOTA Outdoor Stage, as part of WONDER Festival
A brand-new addition to our calendar, Sounds Like Gold is a bold, beautiful celebration of Gold Coast music. Set underneath WONDER Festival’s kinetic installation Cloud Play, this free, all-ages event brings together some of our favourite past Gold Coast Music Awards winners including Hollow Coves, JK-47, Girl and Girl, Beckah Amani, Emily Grace Taylor, Parker and more.
Made possible through the support of the proudly produced by Gold Coast Music Network and presented by Experience Gold Coast through the EGC Arts Fund, this event is a true celebration of our local scene, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it to life.
Music Industry Mingle – Pitch Perfect
📅 Thursday 10 July, from 5:30pm
📍 Miami Marketta, as part of Surface Festival
Presented in collaboration with Surface Festival and Miami Marketta, this mid-year mingle brings together the broader artistic community for a deep dive into what it takes to build a strong pitch toolkit. Whether you’re applying for funding, gigs, or media coverage, this session will give you practical insights and industry tips to help you tell your story and get heard.
Free to attend, but you must register your attendance HERE.
Drum As You Are – BLEACH* Festival
Live music curated by Gold Coast Music Network
📅 Sunday 3 August, from 4pm
📍 Outdoor Stage – HOTA, Home of the Arts
Get set for a high-voltage night of live music! Pay homage to Nirvana’s iconic 1992 gig at Fisho’s with Drum As You Are – bringing together 22 drummers, professionals and community players alike, paying tribute to the time the biggest band in the world came to the Gold Coast. Then, stick around as some of the freshest young talent in the Aussie music scene hit the HOTA Outdoor Stage with live music curated by Gold Coast Music Network. Featuring headliners The Vanns alongside local acts Ella Fence, Ferny Fairway, and Friends That Spin (DJ), and host Tania Doko (Bachelor Girl), expect big energy, contagious vibes and a crowd that won’t stop moving.
This is a full-throttle nod to the past with both feet planted firmly in the future — a reminder that the spirit of rock is alive and kicking, reignited by a new generation.
Grab your FREE tickets HERE.
BANDCAMP
📅 October
📍 TAFE Queensland, Coomera Campus
One of our most popular annual events, BANDCAMP returns in 2025 to help emerging musicians level up their careers. Hosted in partnership with TAFE Queensland, this full-day program is packed with industry panels, workshops and networking opportunities—designed to inspire and inform the next generation of Gold Coast artists.
Tickets on sale August 2025.
2025 Gold Coast Music Awards
📅 Thursday 27 November
📍 HOTA, Home of the Arts
We’ll be wrapping up the year with the 11th Annual Gold Coast Music Awards, our flagship event and the one that started it all. Set to take place once again at HOTA, the Awards are a powerful celebration of the people and artists who make the Gold Coast music scene what it is.
Nominations open 12 June, and we can’t wait to see who’ll be taking the stage (and the spotlight) in 2025.
We’re busy working on new events, partnerships, and opportunities to keep building a thriving local music scene here on the Gold Coast. Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more updates soon.
Join our industry e-news to stay tuned for program details and announcements.