FINALISTS ANNOUNCED + TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2025 QUEENSLAND MUSIC AWARDS
From left: Tenzin Choegyal, Sycco, Thelma Plum, Young Franco, Beckah Amani
#Tickets on sale 10am Thursday 13 February!
Thelma Plum, Beddy Rays, JUNGAJI and Tenzin Choegyal lead a stellar lineup of Queensland’s finest musicians as QMusic announces the finalists for the 2025 Queensland Music Awards, lighting up The Fortitude Music Hall on Tuesday 25 March.
Across 18 categories, the QMAs will celebrate the best in blues, folk, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, country, electronic and more, as judged by a panel of over 100 Australian and international music industry professionals.
Among this year’s highlights, Redland Bay indie-rock larrikins Beddy Rays; celebrated Indigenous singer-songwriter Thelma Plum; Grammy-nominated, Brisbane-based Tibetan artist Tenzin Choegyal; Gold Coast soul sensation Beckah Amani; and songman JUNGAJI are part of a standout group of eight artists receiving multiple nominations, solidifying their place as some of the state’s most exciting talents.
The battle for pop supremacy is fierce, with electro-pop trailblazers Confidence Man, alt-pop powerhouse Hope D, genre-blurring sensation Sycco, and acclaimed Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum all vying for top honours.
Returning to defend their 2024 titles are classical guitar virtuoso Karin Schaupp (2025 Nominee – Contemporary Classical Award) and jazz outfit Andrew Butt Trio + (2025 Nominee – Jazz Award).
Several of last year’s winners are back, including 2024 Song of the Year recipient Jem Cassar-Daley (2025 Nominee – Indigenous Award), Soul/Funk/RNB winner Sahara Beck (2025 Nominee – Rock Award), and 2024 Billy Thorpe Scholarship winner Lottie McLeod (2025 Nominee – Folk Award).
This year, fans have the power to determine the coveted Album of the Year, with Confidence Man, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Veronicas, Dune Rats, Amy Shark and Sheppard among 35 artists contending the people-voted prize.
QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said this year’s nominees underscore the QMAs’ role in celebrating and elevating Queensland’s artists.
“For 20 years, the QMAs have been a launchpad for homegrown artists, highlighting the extraordinary talent coming from all corners of the state,” Stewart said.
“What’s particularly exciting is seeing emerging stars holding their own against some of
Australia’s most established names – it's tomorrow's future music legends, neck and neck with today's.”
Winners will be revealed at The Fortitude Music Hall on Tuesday 25 March in a spectacular night marking two decades of the QMAs.
Join us for Queensland’s biggest night in music – an evening of unforgettable performances, career-defining wins and the ultimate celebration with fellow music lovers.
Tickets are on sale now! With the past two years selling out fast, secure yours now to avoid missing out.
#2025 Queensland Music Awards - Finalists
BLUES | ROOTS AWARD
Dana Gehrman – 'Let It Be You'
Full Flower Moon Band – ‘Illegal Things’
Pat Tierney – ‘The Devil’s Door’
Sunny Luwe – ‘We’ve Got The Power’
CHILDREN’S MUSIC AWARD
Easy Peasy – ‘Who Can Toucan?’
Sharron Mirii Bell – 'WINHANGAGIGILANHA'
The Mini Moshers – ‘Really Really Tall’
The Wobble Bus – ‘Rubbish Bin Day’
CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL & MUSIC FOR STAGE
Karin Schaupp – 'Dreamscapes'
Nicole Murphy – ‘Untangled’
Shugorei – 'Overture'
Tara Lynam – ‘Ultraviolet: I. Formations’
COUNTRY AWARD
Denvah – ‘Making Cups of Tea’
Jacob Vincent – ‘What Would I Say’
Lily Grace – ‘Old Enough To Know Better’
Troy Cassar-Daley – ‘Let’s Ride’
ELECTRONIC AWARD
1tbsp – ‘Oh No’
AYLA – ‘Fade Into Forever’
The Kite String Tangle – ‘Need U Here’
Young Franco – ‘Wake Up ft. Master Peace’
FOLK AWARD
Asha Jefferies – ‘Spinning’
Lottie McLeod – ‘Expire’
LT – 'Real Life = No Fun'
Tenzin Choegyal – 'Jhala I Fly to You'
HEAVY AWARD
A Somerset Parade – ‘Morningstar’
Citadel – 'Bonestorm'
SAME PAINS – ‘candle memory’
Wildheart – ‘The Darkest Path’
HIP HOP AWARD
Jamiesha – ‘Bloodshed’
Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra – ‘LIVE LAUGH DECOLONISE’
Randy Thrill$ – ‘Walked Away’
Rivermouth – ‘Notice to Leave’
INDIGENOUS AWARD
Beddy Rays – ‘Stay The Same’
Jem Cassar-Daley – ‘Big Container’
JUNGAJI – ‘Gummy Bamarra (Grandson’s Story)’
Thelma Plum – ‘Nobody’s Baby’
JAZZ AWARD
Andrew Butt Trio + – 'Peregian'
Kellee Green – ‘River to Sea’
Sophie Min – ‘Western Sunsets’
Valtozash – 'Jekyll, Hyde & Seek (Live @ BJC)'
MUSIC FOR SCREEN
Ack Kinmonth – ‘Parents Prologue’
Alice Benfer – 'Cataclysm Down Under '
Tenzin Choegyal – 'SOS End Music – Tenzin Sings with Nightingales'
Tristan Barton – ‘Legend Is Born’
POP AWARD
Confidence Man – ‘I CAN’T LOSE YOU’
Hope D – ‘Nails’
Sycco – ‘Meant To Be’
Thelma Plum – ‘Nobody’s Baby’
ROCK AWARD
Beddy Rays – ‘Stay The Same’
Greta Stanley – ‘If I get in where would I go?’
Platonic Sex – ‘Hanging Out The Window’
Sahara Beck – ‘Special’
SOUL | FUNK | RNB AWARD
Beckah Amani – 'Sober'
JUNO – ‘I’m the Man’
Lemonade Baby – ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah (Lifestyle)’
Tanisha – ‘Things Bout You’
WORLD AWARD
“BCHARRE بشرّي – ‘My Family’s Orange Tree’
Cigány Weaver – ‘Horatio Hornblower’
JUNGAJI – ‘Gummy Bamarra (Grandsons Story)’
Menaka – ‘Bittersweet’
YOUTH (AGES 10 – 17) AWARD
Frank and Louis – ‘Fat Man’
Jon Trotta – ‘Impression, Water-Lilies’
Mackenzie May – ‘Little Things’
The Royals – ‘It’s A Joke’
REGIONAL AWARD
Beckah Amani
Denvah
Greta Stanley
LT
VIDEO AWARD
Andrew Nolan – ‘Invader Summer - A Somerset Parade’
Dan MacArthur – ‘Fade Away - Nice Biscuit’
Michael Soiza – 'Decisions - Semiirè'
Tom Carroll – ‘Hocus Pocus - Mallrat’
