Oztix | News | Amy Shark Leads Gold Coast Music Award Nominations

The Gold Coast Music Awards are set to return in 2019 and have today revealed the finalists for each of the eight categories.

Celebrated next month in Surfers Paradise, the event will honour the best the GC has to offer, with international sensation Amy Shark and up-and-coming country music star Casey Barnes both leading the nominations with four nods apiece.

Elsewhere emerging artists San Mei, Mass Sky Raid and Ella Fence are all finalists in three categories each.

Judging panel chair and head of popular music at Queensland Conservatorium, Donna Weston, said the judging “gets more challenging every year”.

“But this is a good thing, because it means the calibre of artists making it to the shortlist is getting higher and higher, which also makes the whole process a lot more fun for us," she explained.

“This year, Release Of The Year presented the biggest challenge of all - it was so close, we kept coming back to it. We have very clear criteria in place for all categories that keep things objective and fair, but when a hair's breadth separates contenders for first prize, it's always a tough call!"

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate too shared, “What a tough gig they have trying to decide the various category winners.

"I’m delighted to see 31 finalists as it underscores the growing depth of our music scene here on the Coast."

Check out the finalists for each of the categories below.

Hosted by Double J presenter, Sarah Howells, the ceremony will take place 2 May on the Surfers Paradise beachfront adjacent with a free live concert for the public. Follow the link here for all the details.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by Fenech Guitars & The Avalon -

Amy Shark
Brooklyn
Casey Barnes
Hussy Hicks
San Mei

BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by Griffith University and the Queensland Conservatorium's SEED program -

Chloe Styler
Elska
Mass Sky Raid
Radolescent
ROMII
San Mei

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by Gold Coast Music -

Amy Shark
Casey Barnes
Electrik Lemonade
Ella Fence
Hussy Hicks

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by TAFE Queensland Gold Coast -

Ella Fence
Ian Peres
Jesse Boyle
Julz Parker
Scott French

RELEASE OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by Southern Cross University -

Love Monster - Amy Shark
The Good Life - Casey Barnes
Bachelor Tapes - Cold Ghost
Science Of Fiction - Mass Sky Raid
Doreen Drive - Peach Fur

SONG OF THE YEAR
- sponsored by Home of the Arts -

I Said Hi – Amy Shark
The Weekend – Athena Joy
XO – Calan Mai
Be Mine – Casey Barnes
I Got Nothing – Cheap Fakes
Girl on the Move – DVNA
Call Girl – Ella Fence
Boy – Elska
Silence Creeping – Hussy Hicks
Delirium – Mass Sky Raid
Cupid Love – Romii
Wonder – San Mei