The Gold Coast’s music community has taken centre stage at the 2026 Queensland Music Awards (QMAs), with a strong showing of local talent, venues and collaborators recognised among the state’s best.
Held on the Gold Coast for the first time at the iconic Miami Marketta, this year’s awards brought together Queensland’s music industry to celebrate the artists and industry leaders shaping the sound of the state.
Among the Gold Coast’s standout achievements, filmmakers Loki Liddle and Joshua Tate were awarded the Video Award for Selve’s Breaking Into Heaven. Dami Im took home the win in the Jazz category for her track Bubble, co-written by Gold Coasters Josh Beattie and Amela Duheric.
A major highlight for the region was the success of Hollow Coves, who were named Export Artist of the Year. The duo’s win recognises their expanding international audience and continued global touring success, reinforcing the Gold Coast’s growing reputation as a launchpad for artists reaching far beyond Australian shores.
The Gold Coast’s presence on the national stage was further cemented by GC music icon FISHER, who was awarded Highest Selling Single of the Year for Stay.
The city’s live music venues were also celebrated, with Den Devine named as a winner in the Accessible & Inclusive Venue of the Year category and Miami Marketta taking out the People’s Choice Award for Regional Venue of the Year, a fitting win on home ground. Known for its vibrant, community-driven programming, the venue continues to play a vital role in supporting touring and local artists alike.
The evening also saw national success stories celebrated, with Ball Park Music claiming Album of the Year, presented by the Gold Coast Music Awards, alongside Highest Selling Album, marking a milestone moment in their career.
The night featured standout live performance moments, including 2025 Gold Coast Music Prize winners Blind Corners and a high-energy collaborative rendition of The Veronica’s Untouched featuring local artists Sunny Luwe and Ella Fence, joined by Tori Darke.
With 12 nominations connected to the Gold Coast and multiple wins across key categories, the city’s presence at this year’s QMAs underscores its growing influence within Australia’s music landscape.
As our local music community continues to grow and connect, the Gold Coast is not only hosting major moments like the QMAs, it is producing them.