Voting Opens for 2026 QMAs People's Choice Awards
Fans and music lovers can play a crucial role in this year's QMAs, by casting a vote in the People's Choice categories.
The Queensland Music Awards are back for 2026, celebrating 20 years with the state's best and brightest musicians.
Returning to Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday, April 22nd, the QMAs honour the best in blues, folk, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, country, electronic, and more, as judged by a panel of over 100 Australian and international music industry professionals.
Fans and music lovers can play a crucial role in this year's awards, by casting a vote in the People's Choice categories: Festival of the Year, Regional Venue of the Year, and Metro Venue of the Year.
Those who vote by January 30th will be in for a chance to win a VIP QMAs experience, including premium seating, exclusive access, and an unforgettable night celebrating Queensland music.
Shortlisted nominees for Festival of the Year include Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, Sundown, Lasso Country Music Festival, Savannah in the Round, and more. In the Regional Venue of the Year category, shortlisted venues include Sandstone Point Hotel, Norton Music Factor, and Mo's Desert Clubhouse, while the Metro category includes Crowbar Brisbane, the Tivoli, and Fortitude Music Hall. See the full shortlists below.
Voting in the QMAs People's Choice categories will close at 11:59pm (AEDT) on Friday, January 30th - see here to vote.
QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said the QMAs were vital to the fabric of not just Queensland but Australia’s music and live performance sectors.
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
“For two decades, the QMAs have shone a spotlight on the dedication and diversity of Queensland’s top musical talent, from the most promising emerging artists to established legends such as Amy Shark, Keith Urban and Thelma Plum,” Stewart said.
“It is a great privilege to celebrate and share another year of incredible Queensland success stories across all facets of this sector, and to give music fans the opportunity to have their voices heard in the supremely popular People’s Choice Awards.”
QMAs People's Choice Awards 2026 Shortlists:
2026 QMA Festival of the Year
Gympie Music Muster
The Ekka
Savannah in the Round
Whitsundays Songwriter Festival
Maleny Music Festival
Lasso Country Music Festival
QLD Music Trails: The Reef - Between the Tides
Tablelands Folk Festival
QLD Music Trails: The Outback
Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival
Airlie Beach Festival of Music
Sundown
Clairvaux MacKillop College’s Battle of the ROCK Bands
2026 QMA Regional Venue of the Year
Sandstone Point Hotel
Tanks Arts Centre
Miami Marketta
Norton Music Factory
Banshees Bar & Artspace
Imperial Hotel Eumundi
Den Devine
The Presynct Venue & Bar
Eatons Hill Hotel
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
2026 QMA Metro Venue of the Year
Black Bear Lodge
The Princess Theatre
Crowbar Brisbane
The Tivoli
The Brightside
The Triffid
The Cave Inn
Fortitude Music Hall
The Junk Bar
More from The Music Network
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
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