Brisbane indie band wins big at Queensland music industry night of nights
Local favourites took home two major awards at the annual Queensland Music Awards last night, while a community radio station was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Brisbane indie band Ball Park Music landed a landmark double win at the Queensland Music Awards on the Gold Coast last night, winning both Album of the Year and Highest Selling Album for their eighth studio album Like Love.
Presented by QMusic, the Queensland Music Awards are judged by a panel of more than 100 Australian and international industry professionals and highlight the state’s best artists, institutions and songs of 2025.
Jem Cassar-Daley was awarded the Pop Award presented by Aruga as well as Song of the Year for ‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ – the singer’s second time winning the title.
Young Franco claimed the Electronic Award after being inducted into the Valley Walk of Fame while he continues his international tour.
Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ won the Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring decades of dedication to Queensland music, artists and the culture they’ve created.
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4ZZZ presenter Quentin Ellison said the award recognised everyone who has walked through the station’s doors over its nearly five-decade history.
“This award is a testament to every artist we’ve ever played before anyone else would, every volunteer who showed up on a Sunday morning and every listener who tuned in because they wanted something real,” Ellison said.
Hollow Coves won Export Artist of the Year for their growing international profile, and tech-house master FISHER was awarded Highest Selling Single for ‘Stay’.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek congratulated the winners and nominees for the 2026 Queensland Music Awards, praising their dedication, talent and creativity.
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“From the success of Ball Park Music and Jem Cassar-Daley to the international achievements of Hollow Coves, tonight’s winners and nominees highlight the strength and diversity of Queensland’s contemporary music industry,” Langbroek said.
He added that the state government invests in QMusic and the Queensland Music Awards as part of the Queensland’s Time to Shine strategy.
Four fellowship award winners supported by the state government were announced at the Parliamentary Friends of the Music Industry event on Wednesday March 25.
Artists Frank and Louis were awarded the Billy Thorpe Scholarship, singer-songwriter Paulina the Carol Lloyd Award, Dubbzone the Dennis Mop Conlon Scholarship and Banff the Grant McLennan Fellowship.
For the People’s Choice Awards, Maleny Music Festival was named Festival of the Year, while The Tivoli took Metro Venue of the Year and Miami Marketta, the event’s host, was voted Regional Venue of the Year.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the city was proud to welcome Queensland’s music community.
“Having the QMAs on the Gold Coast and 12 nominations in these leading industry awards says everything about what this city brings to Queensland’s cultural life,” Tate said.
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