Gold Coast’s premier music industry event, the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs), announced its 2025 winners last night at the glittering red-carpet gala and live concert tonight, 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 of an impressive field of finalists across ten categories, alongside the People’s Choice Award and the coveted Gold Coast Music Prize and this year’s winners reflect the innovation, artistry and spirit that continue to position the Gold Coast as one of Australia’s most exciting music hubs.
Leading the honours, acclaimed singer-songwriter Beckah Amani was named Artist of the. Year, from supporting Jorja Smith on her Australian tour to being invited by Coldplay to join them on stage in Melbourne, Beckah’s electrifying presence and powerful vocals have won over audiences on major stages.
Breakout momentum was celebrated as Lyric took home Breakout Artist of the Year, sponsored by Hanlon School of Music. Known for her expressive vocals and diaristic songwriting, the 21-year-old’s latest EP Debuted #2 on the ARIA Charts. She has built a passionate fanbase who line up hours before doors with handmade gifts and run hundreds of TikTok fan pages in her honour.
Indie-folk favourites Hollow Coves claimed Live Act of the Year, sponsored by Gold Coast Music. The Gold-certified “Coastline” became a post-pandemic anthem and one of the most-used songs on Instagram Reels in 2021. Now with over one billion streams, Hollow Coves continues to share their sound with the world.
In a highly competitive field of instrumental excellence, Robbie Bostock secured Musician of the Year (TAFE Queensland), cementing his reputation as one of the region’s most dynamic guitarists.
Proving her impact across streaming and airwaves, TANISHA took out Release of the Year (City of Gold Coast) for On My Terms and sold out major headline shows, and opened for icons like Macy Gray, Larissa Lambert, and TORA.bella amor won Song of the Year (HOTA, Home of the Arts) for the standout single rocks in my pocket topping off an incredible 2025 which started on a high, joining Benson Boone as main support on his sold out national Australian tour.
Championing production talent, Luke Palmer was named Studio Producer of the Year, while Den Devine was awarded Venue of the Year (Oztix) for its ongoing contribution to live music culture.
Creative excellence was showcased with Selve winning Video of the Year (The Edit Suite) for Breaking Into Heaven, Jared Hinz honoured as Visual Creative of the Year and Blind Corners received the coveted Gold Coast Music Prize, supported by Friends of the Arts, recognising their artistic impact and promising trajectory.
Adding to the excitement of the evening, the People’s Choice Award, presented by Burleigh Brewing, put the power in the hands of the audience, with attendees voting live on the night.
This year’s crowd-favourite finalists were Fake News, Haystack Mountain Hermits, and Lecia Louise, and the People’s Choice awarded People’s Choice awarded to……Lecia Louise.
Adding to the festivities, the 2025 Awards coincided with Ausmusic T-Shirt Day. Guests were 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.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Gold Coast Music Network
WINNER: 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
WINNER: Lyric
Andy Penkow
bella amor
Lily Grace
Parker
Selve
TANISHA
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Gold Coast Music
WINNER: Hollow Coves
bella amor
Bootleg Rascal
Haystack Mountain Hermits
Hussy Hicks
Lyric
Selve
TANISHA
Terremoto Band
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by TAFE Queensland
WINNER: Robbie Bostock – Guitar
Ella Fence – Voice
Dave Amphlett – Drums
Jamie Keys – Drumkit
Liam Kirk – Keys
Maddison Breen – Multi-instrumentalist
Shane Hannan – Trombone
Sunny Luwe – Vocals
William Hoareau – Guitar
RELEASE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by City of Gold Coast
WINNER: TANISHA – On My Terms
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
The Wrath – Into the Arms of Oblivion
Wildheart – Searching For Life Beyond Tragedy
SONG OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by HOTA, Home of the Arts
WINNER: bella amor – rocks in my pocket
Atticus Chimps – Cradle Cage
Beckah Amani – Superstar
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
Sponsored by Blind Boy Studios
WINNER: Luke Palmer
Emily Hopley
George Carpenter
Josh Beattie
okmattcollins
VENUE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Oztix
WINNER: Den Devine
Burleigh Town Hotel
elsewhere
Vinnies Dive
Wallaby Hotel
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Edit Suite
WINNER: Selve – Breaking Into Heaven
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. St Laurentt
The Wrath – Nothing’s Forever
VISUAL CREATIVE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by QT Gold Coast
WINNER: Jared Hinz
Bianca Hinton
Gourami
Keely Baker
Liam Shane Rawson Blenkinsop
Simone Gorman-Clark
Tim Wilson
GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE
Sponsored by Friends of the Arts
WINNER: Blind Corners
Alanah Stone
Bronte Lee
Jamie Lamont
KLACEY
Loose Goose
MYLES
Zayden Kennedy
PEOPLE’s CHOICE AWARD
presented by Burleigh Brewing
WINNER: Lecia Louise
Fake News
Haystack Mountain Hermits