Page Text: Studio Producer of the Year
Venue of the Year
Video of the Year
Visual Creative of the Year
All musician nominees under the age of 25 will be considered for the career defining Gold Coast Music Prize, sponsored by Friends of the Arts and supported by a number of local music industry businesses.
All musicians who are award finalists will also be eligible to opt in to participate in the People’s Choice Award sponsored by Burleigh Brewing, which will be open for popular vote once the finalists are announced.
Award category nominations are judged by an independent panel of industry professionals.
MEET THE JUDGES
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
All of the information you need to complete your nomination can be found in the nomination guidelines , including frequently asked questions and category details.
Please note, category nominations are NOT conducted by popular fan vote, they are assessed by an independent panel of judges .
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Southern Cross University
Open to any Gold Coast artist or band, of any age or genre, that has been actively recording, releasing, or performing music on the Gold Coast during the eligibility period of 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022.
This is a career-focused award and judges will be looking for an established artist who has produced a consistent body of work with significant outcomes during the year in question. The artist will have been actively releasing music and performing (where possible) during the eligibility period – at least at the national level and will have a public profile outside of the Gold Coast.
The artist’s entire body of work will be considered for this award including track record, performance history (live and recorded), audience development, technical ability and supporting infrastructure, presence and ability to create a “package” that includes their music. All entrants are assessed on their contribution to the Gold Coast’s live music scene as well as their connection to the Gold Coast.
BREAKOUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Open to any artist or band, of any age or genre, that has a strong connection to the Gold Coast and has been actively recording, releasing or performing (where possible) music on the Gold Coast during the eligibility period of 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022.
Judges will be looking for acts who clearly demonstrate that they have broken through during the eligibility period. For example, they may have extended their reach from the Gold Coast to national or international audiences, or to the music industry at large or have moved from local stages to national festival lineups.
Musical performance – both recorded and live – will be taken into consideration by judges, as will supporting information about the band or artist’s accomplishments (such as radio play, streaming data or record sales that indicate a substantial increase in audience) and the quality of music produced to date. All entrants are assessed on their contribution to Gold Coast’s live music scene as well as their connection to the Gold Coast.
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Gold Coast Music
Open to any live, original music act that was based within the City of Gold Coast during the eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 and performed (whether in person or virtual) live shows during this time . Past live touring experience will also be considered, as well as how live performing practice was maintained during pandemic restrictions. It is important that video evidence of at least one live performance is included in the application.
The award recognises an act who consistently performs live to a high standard. Judges will consider audience attendance, connection and engagement, the skill / talent and stage presence of the act in question, including use of lighting, effects or adaptability to unique venues and situations, including adaptability to COVID restrictions and limitations. The artist’s capacity and track record for touring outside of the city as well as the band’s professional reputation and promotional ability will also be considered. To be eligible, the artist(s) must reside within the City of Gold Coast. All entrants are assessed on their contribution to Gold Coast’s live music scene.
LIVE ACT NOMINATION
MUSICIAN (instrumentalist/vocalist) OF THE YEAR
Musician of the year is an artistic award. This category is awarded to an individual Gold Coast musician for excellence in vocal and / or instrumental ability. The nominee must have been active (that is performing or recording) during the eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. Nominees will need to submit recordings of live or studio performances as well as a list of recordings / live performances they have appeared on during the eligibility period. The criteria for this category are:
Technical ability (mechanical skill, artistry, range control)
Musicality and proficiency (feel and emotional projection, flow, style, phrasing, dynamics, improvisation)
Tonal quality (control, clarity, consistency, feel)
Rhythm (accuracy, duration, steadiness, feel)
Intonation (Pitch accuracy)
Degree of difficulty (complexity and ease of performance)
Individuality and style
RELEASE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by City of Gold Coast
This category recognises an album or EP, which includes at least four tracks or is 21 minutes or more in length – whether digital or physical. The digital release date must fall within the eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. This is an artistic award and judges will consider the entire package related to the release including: production quality, artistic merit, artwork, storytelling, and songwriting ability. All entrants are assessed on their connection to the Gold Coast.
SONG OF THE YEAR
sponsored by CBD Live
For songs released by Gold Coast artists within the eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. Songs are judged on their lyricism and musicality as well as their innovation, originality, creativity, and production value. The potential or reach of a song will also be given great consideration.
We strongly suggest that you nominate the ONE song that you consider your strongest. Artists have missed out on being finalists in the past because judges were split on their best song. A maximum of two tracks per artist can be entered for Song of the Year.
SONG NOMINATION
STUDIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Studio producer of the year is an artistic award. This category is awarded to an individual Gold Coast producer or audio engineer for excellence in their overall responsibility for the production of a single recording, multiple recordings or an entire body of work released during the Awards eligibility period, 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. This can include an artist or band member who produces their own work or a sound engineer who plays a guiding role in the recording process. The producer must reside and/or work in the Gold Coast region, however work produced for non-local artists is eligible for consideration in this category.
Judges will consider quality and innovation of recorded product/s, industry recognition and reputation of producer and contribution to significant and recognisable music recordings.
VENUE OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Oztix
This award recognises a dedicated live music venue within the City of Gold Coast that goes above and beyond to support Gold Coast’s music scene and consistently programs high quality, original music.
Judges will consider customer service, venue management, facilities and services for in-house artists and promoters, connection to audiences, relationships with industry, artists and bands, the “vibe” created, consistency in programming, reputation, patron safety and care, booking policies, community involvement and contribution to driving diversity and growth of GC music.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
sponsored by QT Gold Coast
Video of the year is awarded to the creative team and / or artist responsible for creating, filming and producing a song’s video clip. The video must have been released within the eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 and have a strong connection to the Gold Coast – either the recording artist(s) must reside here or the creative team should be based here. The category will be judged around production quality and intent as well as creativity.
VISUAL CREATIVE OF THE YEAR
Visual creative of the year is awarded to an individual creative. The award recognises excellence in visual creative products that support the music industry. This may include live music photography, studio photography or publicity photography, tour poster art, single or album cover art and merchandise artwork design. Other visual creative works will also be considered, such as costume design or performance costume styling. An individual piece of artwork or a body of work produced by the creative during the Awards eligibility period from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 will be considered by the judges.
Videos are ineligible for this category.
Judges will consider quality and intent of creative output, evidence of strong professional recognition within the music industry and demonstration of connection to the Gold Coast music industry through their creative work or residency.