Live Review: Queensland Music Awards @ Fortitude Music Hall

For Queensland musicians and industry figureheads, it’s the night of nights. Think the Oscars, think the Grammys—it’s the Queensland Music Awards, baby!

The doors to the Fortitude Music Hall opened as the finest of musicians poured down the pink carpet to get their snaps taken. Sparkles are in, lame outfits are out, and our stars made that very clear.

Everyone settled in, and the night took off. Opening with a powerful Welcome to Country by songwoman Maroochy Barambah, wearing a memorable hand-painted cape, the mood in the hall was excitement and anticipation. Spicks And Specks favourite Myf Warhurst and actor Michael Tuahine hosted, while Matt Hsu took the role of musical director.

Warming up the crowd with a rendition of Regurgitator’s Song Formerly Known As, a sneaky nod to QMusic’s 30th anniversary, Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra officially opened the show. 

As the name insinuates, the ceremony was filled with the best musicians receiving accolades. Brisbane’s pop powerhouse Cub Sport took out the coveted top spot for Album of the Year, winning with Jesus At The Gay Bar. Making it a double-whammy, they also landed the Electronic Award for their album track Songs About It.

Jem Cassar-Daley won the Pop Award with her hit song King of Disappointment. Joined onstage with the Obscure Orchestra, Cassar-Daley then performed the award-winning song in a breathtaking live rendition. 

More awards and scholarships were presented: The Billy Thorpe Scholarship went to Lottie McLeod, the Carol Lloyd Award went to Jo Davie, the Grant McLennan Fellowship went to Georgia Potter, and the Dalwood-Wylie Foundation Scholarship went to Ethan Roberts. In a moving acceptance speech, Dennis “Mop” Conlon Scholarship winner Kristal West dedicated her award to her late grandfather and Indigenous rights activist Eddie Mabo.

A show close to all Brisbanite’s hearts, Bluey, managed to pull a few awards, too. Bluey’s music composer, Joff Bush, won both the Children’s Music Award for Dance Mode and the Music For Screen Award for Cricket, both of which were written for the juggernaut TV show. We got to hear a gorgeous tribute to the show, too, thanks to Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra.

It was a night full of awards, but the fun didn’t stop there. Busby Marou pulled the Blues/Roots Award with Conversation, Tori Forsyth’s Sometimes won the Country Award, Minor Gold nabbed the Folk Award with Cannonball, and Aussie rockers DZ Deathrays’ My Mind Is Eating Me Alive got the Heavy Award. 

Accolades and acceptance speeches were split between performances from Queensland icons. Emerging Artist of the Year winner Jude York performed Mr Porcelain, with his breathy voice transporting the audience to another dimension entirely. Felony, who won the Rock Award for Everyone I Like Wants To Kill Themselves, performed their award-winning single, much to the head-banging delight of everyone in the room. Taitu’uga performed his song Falealili Manusamoa, which won the World Award, and rapper and poet Sachém brought the energy as he masterfully performed My City.

Another standout performance of the night was a historic collaboration between the Country Award nominees: Hayley Marsten, Melody Moko, and Tori Forsyth. In a beautiful tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winner James Blundell, the artists came together for a rendition of Way Out West.

When asked about receiving the award, Blundell said, “It is an acknowledgement of survival. I say to all the young artists I work with that longevity is a major part of the equation. You can be fabulous for a nanosecond, but to sustain a career, well, you've got to be a bit more interesting,” he laughed. “Now, I have never claimed or intended to be an interesting artist, but I have lived very honestly and very much in the public eye. So, I am very grateful to receive this award.”

More awards were handed out. Sahara Beck took the Soul/Funk/RnB Award home for Compromise, Ozi Jarel’s Uptown won the Hip Hop award, Tia Gostelow won the Indigenous Award with Spring To Life, and Parker’s Sofa Bed nabbed the Youth Award. 

LT’s Act Your Age earned her the Regional Award, and her acceptance speech reminded the audience of the rampant ageism in the music industry. 

The Video Award went to Luis Campbell, Adam Hasa & Julian Panetta for make it so easy by Jordan Briton feat. JUNO, and their speech urged everyone to grab a “succulent Chinese meal”. 

The Export Award went to Skin on Skin, Karin Schaupp’s Cybernylon won the Contemporary Classical/Music for Stage Award, and Andrew Butt Trio’s Le Baiser Salé won the Jazz Award. 

But the music industry isn’t all about the musicians. We also have to consider where we consume our music. That’s where the venue awards come in—as voted by the people. Metro Venue of the Year went to The Fortitude Music Hall, Regional Venue of the Year to Kings Beach Tavern, Festival of the Year to Gympie Music Muster, and Accessible Venue of the Year to Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct.

Finally, in one of the biggest awards of the night, Jem Cassar-Daley won Song of the Year for King of Disappointment. Excitedly, she ran on stage and accepted. “I did not expect this,” she said. “I can’t wait to tell my mum and dad.”

And, just like that, the night was over. Empty glasses, full hearts, and even fuller camera rolls left the venue as we walked away, appreciating the music that we have and the music that is to come.