Queensland Music Awards introduces exciting new category with the ‘Innovation Award’ + unveils the impressive list of 100+ judges who will be determining winners from a record number of applications and award categories

Presented by QMusic, the new Innovation Award will highlight the impressive and diverse work of individuals and businesses across the music industry who have risen to the challenge of 2020 with notable resilience, purpose and innovation.

The 2021 Innovation Award is open to public and self-nominations from all music industry businesses, organisations, artists or individuals who innovated in the Queensland music space in 2020, giving people the opportunity to nominate themselves and spotlight their own achievements, or alternatively tip their hat to someone they know who deserves recognition. Judges will assess the Innovation Award nominations on Innovation, Uniqueness and Creativity, Practical Application, Profit, Sustainability and Potential Longevity.

The Innovation Award winners will be announced live at the illustrious Queensland Music Awards ceremony on Wednesday 5 May. Public and self-nominations are open now via www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au.

Also appearing for the first time this year is the Contemporary Classical category, and the returning Childrens Music and Emerging Artist Of The Year Award; first introduced last year to recognise the valuable contributions made by Queensland’s newest and most promising musicians. The inaugural Emerging Artist Of The Year was awarded in 2020 to Brisbane’s Hope D (pictured above) who has since gone on to place in triple j’s Hottest 100, released her debut EP ‘Cash Only’ to critical acclaim, and is about to embark on her debut sold out national tour.

The full list of awards will be judged by over 100+ music industry professionals from all around the country, and diverse areas of the industry, giving finalists and winners the chance to catapult their careers into national significance. The 2021 judges include: Andrew Stone (Chugg Entertainment), Casey O’Shaughnessy (Select Music), Christina Thiers (Warner Music Australia), Declan Byrne (triple j), Maya Janeska (Believe Digital), Annie Chung (WME), Harry Young (Dew Process), Konstantin Kersting (producer), Joe Alexander (Bedroom Suck Records), Mark Holland (EMI), Sahara Herald (Frontier Touring), and more. The full list of judges can be found HERE.

Finalists will be announced, and tickets for the QMAs will be available to purchase in late March 2021.

For more information go to www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au.