Nominees for 2016 Gold Coast Music Awards announced

More than 140 nominations were received for the Gold Coast Music Awards with nominees announced today.

Organisers said the total number of nominations were down but the number of artists and bands nominating had increased.

“Last year there was some confusion about the judging process, so we had some bands  nominate many times,” Chloe Popa, co-founder of the Awards said.

“This year we have had 75 individual bands or musicians nominate,” she said. “The process has been tightened up, and the quality of nominations is phenomenal.”

The Awards were created last year following 20 years with no awards program on the local scene. The 2015 event sold out and 30,000 votes were received in the People’s Choice component of the awards program.

This year, organisers introduced a Video of the Year category with the support of Gold Coast Film Festival. 19 nominations were received.

An independent judging panel which is chaired by music journalist and broadcaster Trevor Jackson and includes Louise Bezzina (Bleach* Festival), Neil Beattie (Swingin’ Safari), Sean Flanagan (Hot Tomato) and Felicity Lawless (musician) will now meet to assess nominations.

The nominees are:

Artist of the Year, sponsored by Southport Sharks Cabana Bar + Lounge

Aaron West, Amy Shark, Casey Barnes, Cheap Fakes, City Over Sand, Darkc3ll, Electric Zebra, Electrik Lemonade, Ella Fence, Evol Walks, Hanlon Brothers, Hussy Hicks, IVORI, Jodie-Joy, Klubknight, Nowhere Else, The Wrath, Von Villains, White Lodge.

Emerging Artist of the Year sponsored by Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Aaron West, Aquila Young, Baltimore Gun Club, Being Jane Lane, Benny D Williams, Buffy Prescott, Catherine Gunther, Crown The Humble, Electrik Lemonade, Ella Fence, Evol Walks, Georgia Grace Knight, Ivey, Jacob Lee, Jade Peterson, Jason McGregor, Jenna Dearness Dark, Jennifer Sjaan, Jodie-Joy, Jordan Merrick – Fugitive & The Vagabond, Klubknight, Lecia Louise, Leopold’s Treat, MISTRAM, Napoleonic Wars, Nowhere Else, Redstarborn, ROMY, Sarah Shah, Sean Fitzgerald, The Maslows, Timber Bones, White Lodge, Yes Sir Noceur

These awards would not be possible without the support of our major partners: City of Gold Coast and Burleigh Brewing Co. and our category sponsors listed below.

 

Venue of the Year

Currumbin Creek Tavern, elsewhere, Miami Marketta, NightQuarter, Soundlounge, The Avenue

Music Champion of the Year, sponsored by TAFE Gold Coast

Amy Shark, Bleach* Festival, Cindy Jensen, Emily Holler, Glenn Tozer, Guy Cooper (Serotonin Productions & Human Records), Jodie-Joy, Karen Lindsay, Mark Duckworth, Matt Webber, WHO Agencies

Video of the Year Award, presented by Gold Coast Film Festival

Event of the Year 

Bleach* At Burleigh, Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival, Buskers by the Creek, La Traviata, Leopold’s Treat Cold River album launch, Mescalito Blues Celebrating “10 Years of Stompin”, Mudgeerabarby, Platform, Summertime Sessions in the Village, Wallapalooza

Song of the Year, sponsored by NightQuarter

Finalists will be announced on Friday 20 May and the winners announced at a #verygc awards presentation on Thursday 16 June at Burleigh Brewing Co. Tickets are on sale now and include a free beer, dinner, entertainment by house bands Hanlon Brothers and friends, free transport to the after party at Hard Rock Cafe, entry to the after party and a free cocktail on arrival.

Hearty congratulations to all nominees. Good luck to the judges. What a job!