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QMusic Awards Shift to Gold Coast After Controversy
11 Mar
Summary
- The 2026 Queensland Music Awards will move to the Gold Coast.
- The move follows controversy and funding withdrawal from Brisbane.
- The ceremony will return to a more informal, music-focused show.
The Queensland Music Awards (QMAs) will be presented on April 22, 2026, at Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast. This marks the first time the ceremony has been held outside of Brisbane, the state capital.
QMusic CEO Kris Stewart stated the QMAs are returning to their roots, prioritizing music and artists with an informal show. This relocation follows controversy surrounding the 2025 event at Fortitude Music Hall, which resulted in the withdrawal of approximately A$25,000 in funding from the Brisbane City Council.
The Gold Coast mayor, Tom Tate, has welcomed the move, seeing it as a perfect fit. The QMAs, established in 2006, celebrate emerging and established artists from Queensland, with categories judged by over 100 industry professionals. Major awards include lifetime achievement, album of the year, and song of the year.
Additionally, A$60,000 will be distributed across four scholarships and awards for local artists, named after music legends. Scholarship winners will be announced on March 25. The organizers are excited about the new location and the opportunity to reconnect with the spirit of rock 'n' roll.
