A music loving public joined forces with the Queensland music industry to celebrate the state’s finest songwriters, festivals and venues at the 2018 Queensland Music Awards at the Royal International Convention Centre on Monday 14 May. The sold out event was a showcase of the contribution that music makes to Queensland’s cultural life, and the exceptional caliber of musicianship that the state has to offer.
Celebrated Brisbane singer-songwriter Jeremy Neale was awarded the coveted Song of The Year prize for his party starter Dancin’ & Romancin. The prize includes a promotional prize pack worth $20,000 courtesy of The Music and NOVA 106.9. Releasing his debut album in November 2017, Jeremy is the latest recipient of the Grant McLennan Fellowship and is soon to embark on a three month songwriting scholarship to New York. Gold Coast idol Amy Shark has been awarded her first Export Achievement award after a stellar international response to her breakthrough song Adore, which was also the highest selling single by a Queenslander in 2017. Proving Amy’s exceptional songwriting merit, Weekends also garnered the acclaimed songwriter the Pop award, Regional & Singer-Songwriter awards on the night. Topping off a highly successful 12 months, The Jungle Giants took home Album of The Year for Quiet Ferocity. The acclaimed LP produced multiple hit singles for the Brisbane four-piece who toured the album internationally and played sold out festivals and headline tours off the back of its release.
Presented by Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds, Hutchinson Builders, Oztix and Mountain Goat Beer, the night crowned 23 winners including the prestigious Billy Thorpe Scholarship. 23 year old songstress from Far North Queensland Greta Stanley was named the recipient of the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship. Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Greta will be able to use the $10,000 prize to record her next release. Greta is a previous participant in QMusic’s Industry Connect program, which gives young people from regional Queensland the opportunity to meet and learn from national industry leaders.
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