Jeremy Neale edges out Amy Shark, claims Song of the Year at Queensland Music Awards

Last night's Queensland Music Awards proved to be a celebration of both anticipated winners and some surprise names, with  Amy Shark, The Jungle Giants and Jeremy Neale among the artists receiving gongs.

Coming off the back of her Vanda & Young songwriting competition win, Gold Coast local Amy Shark picked up five accolades in total, including the Pop genre, Regional and Singer-Songwriter and Highest Selling Single awards. The 32-year-old was also received the 2018 Export Achievement Award, recognising the international success of her breakthrough song ‘Adore’.

But one of the best surprises of the night was saved until last, with Brisbane singer-songwriter Jeremy Neale handed the coveted Song of The Year trophy for ‘Dancin’ & Romancin’, along with a prize pack worth $20,000.

Despite receiving little radio play across the country, the track while was recognised by the judging panel to be the best effort among the other genre winners after taking out the Rock category.

"I couldn't be happier and am still in disbelief," Neale told TMN.

"I hold the Queensland Music Awards in such high regard and to be honoured with these awards really is a dream come true."

Neale was recently named the latest recipient of the Grant McLennan Fellowship and is soon to embark on a three-month songwriting scholarship to New York.

Other big names to receive awards on the night include The Jungle Giants (Album of The Year for Quiet Ferocity) and Greta Stanley, who received the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship and scores $10,000 prize to put towards recording her next release.

"Greta is turning heads with her youthful, electric and emotional songs, and with the support provided through this prize Greta will continue to grow musically, collaborate and keep writing,” Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said.

This year also saw the Queensland Music Awards recognise contributors to the local music scene beyond just the artists themselves, with The Big Pineapple Music Festival, Brisbane’s The Tivoli and Maroochydore’s Solbar all honoured.

The full list of winners is below.

2018 Queensland Music Awards winners

SONG OF THE YEAR Jeremy Neale Song: Dancin’ & Romancin’ Songwriters: Jeremy Neale

ALBUM OF THE YEAR The Jungle Giants Album: Quiet Ferocity

POP Amy Shark Song: Weekends Songwriter: Amy Shark

ROCK Jeremy Neale Song: Dancin’ & Romancin’ Songwriter: Jeremy Neale

ELECTRONIC / DANCE The Kite String Tangle Song: The Prize (feat. Bridgette Amofah) Songwriters: Daniel Harley, Michael Tighe

BLUES / ROOTS Karl S. Williams Song: Blood to Give Songwriter: Karl Williams

HEAVY The Brave Song: Ethereal Songwriters: Nathan Toussaint, Daniel Neucom, David Mead, Brett Thomson, Kurt Thomson, Jonathon Deiley

JAZZ Trichotomy Song: Asset or Liability Songwriter: Sean Foran

SCHOOLS Xander Holmes Song: Something Real Songwriter: Alexander Holmes

INDIGENOUS Emily Wurramara Song: Ngarrukwujenama Songwriter: Emily Wurramara

HIP HOP / RAP Crooked White Song: Put Me On Songwriter: Zac Eakin

COUNTRY Brad Butcher Song: Well Dressed Man Songwriter: Brad Butcher

WORLD / FOLK Sue Ray Song: Junior Was His Name Songwriter: Sue Ray 

SINGER-SONGWRITER Amy Shark Song: Weekends Songwriter: Amy Shark

SOUL / FUNK / R’N’B Eleea  Song: Without You Songwriters: Eleea Navarro, Chris Naughton

REGIONAL Amy Shark Song: Weekends Songwriter: Amy Shark

VIDEO WAAX Video: Same Same Filmmakers: Greg Kelly, Pernell Marsden

2018 BILLY THORPE SCHOLARSHIP Greta Stanley

GRANT MCLENNAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Chad Morgan

2018 People's Choice Awards

METRO VENUE OF THE YEAR The Tivoli (Brisbane)

REGIONAL VENUE OF THE YEAR Solbar (Sunshine Coast)

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR The Big Pineapple Music Festival

2018 EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Amy Shark

HIGHEST SELLING SINGLE Amy Shark Song: Adore

HIGHEST SELLING ALBUM Keith Urban Album: Ripcord