Gold Coast Music Awards 2020 go virtual, announce shortlist

The Gold Coast Music Awards return later this month, but without the flamethrowers, beachfront shenanigans and all the backslapping.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual gala will take the form of a virtual presentation, taking place April 30 on Facebook.

Blues and roots artist Hussy Hicks leads the pack with five nominations, including a chance for artist of the year, while Casey Barnes is close behind with four. There’s multiple nominations for indie outfit IVEY, folk outfit Hollow Coves, and chart-topping duo Busby Marou.

The Gold Coast’s music scene is worth celebrating, explains Tom Busby of Busby Marou.

“We put more love and effort into this record than anything we’ve ever done before, so it’s an absolute pleasure to be recognised as a finalist by the Gold Coast Music Awards,” said Busby whose 2019 album The Great Divide opened at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart is up for Release and Artist of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards.

“The music scene on the coast is pumping and keeps on kicking. Despite the madness going on around the world right now, it’s comforting to see these awards forging ahead to recognise and celebrate artists when we need it most.”

Prior to the current health crisis, the Gold Coast was solidifying its position as a touring destination for major international acts. Queen + Adam Lambert completed their national tour with a Feb. 29 show at Metricon Stadium at Carrara.

“The GC live music landscape has always been nuanced,” Artists Only founder Jackson Walkden-Brown told TIO earlier this month. “There are a number of things that just don’t work (on the live music front) in this city for various reasons, but I’m confident that GC is well placed to forge ahead with more large-scale stadium shows. I think it’d be a really great move for the city as a whole.”

Winners will be announced via video on the Gold Coast Music Awards Facebook page at 7pm on April 30, featuring “special iso-loungeroom” performances from homegrown talent, details of which will be announced in the weeks ahead.

“The music industry was one of the first to really feel the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we were hit hard here on the Gold Coast. Our economy is largely driven by events,” comments Gold Coast Music Awards director Samantha Morris.

“While we can’t hold a big, face to face awards ceremony, we think it is really important to bring the community together, virtually at least, to acknowledge and celebrate the creative gold that continues to come out of this City.”t

Gold Coast Music Awards

See the 2020 Gold Coast Music Awards Finalists below:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Home Of The Arts)
Bombs Away
Busby Marou
Casey Barnes
Hollow Coves
Hussy Hicks
San Mei

BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Griffith University and the SEED program)
Eliza and the Delusionals
IVEY
Peach Fur
Highly Commended: Doolie

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Gold Coast Music)
Casey Barnes
Electrik Lemonade
IVEY
Hussy Hicks
Tijuana Cartel

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (sponsored by TAFE QLD)
Felicity Lawless
Jackson Dunn
Julz Parker
Leesa Gentz
Lindsay Waddington

RELEASE OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Southern Cross University)
Savage Sunday – Being Jane Lane
Cities of Gold – Benny D Williams
The Great Divide – Busby Marou
Squeezed Fresh – Electrik Lemonade
Moments – Hollow Coves

SONG OF THE YEAR (sponsored by CBD Live)
A Little More – Casey Barnes
Trap Door – Dennis
Looking Like A Snack – DVNA
Sushi in Tokyo – DVNA
Just Exist – Eliza and the Delusionals
Don’t Feed the Monster – Ella Fence
Get Ready – Hussy Hicks
Anew – Hollow Coves
Bodies – Ivey
Vertigo feat Yorke – Paces
Forget It All – Sunset City ft. Samantha Jade

VENUE OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Oztix)
Coolangatta Hotel
Elsewhere
HOTA Home Of The Arts
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Rompa Room
Soundlounge

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (sponsored by QT)
Archangel – Baltimore Gun Club
Savage Sunday – Being Jane Lane
A Little more – Casey Barnes
Vertigo – Dennis
The Story – Eddie Ray
Don’t Feed The Monster – Ella Fence
Dig Bury Drink – Lagerstein
Tommy Franklin – Tijuana Cartel

GOLD COAST MUSIC PRIZE (sponsored by Bleach* The Gold Coast Festival)
Dennis
Doolie
DVNA

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (sponsored by East West Presents)
Open to all finalists

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.