Sunshine Coast Music Industry Awards announced for 2025 by Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective

In a first for the Sunshine Coast, the region will host its own music awards recognising musicians and other industry professionals.

In a Sunshine Coast first, music awards held in the region next year will recognise artists and industry professionals.

Sunshine Coast musicians and other industry professionals are set for recognition after an inaugural music awards was announced for the region.

The first Sunshine Coast Music Awards will be held on June 1 next year.

Announced at Solbar on Tuesday night at the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective end of year mixer event, the awards mark a first for the local music scene.

SCMIC chairwoman Melissa O’Bryan said the Sunshine Coast loved music.

“But they may not necessarily know that we grow some amazing music right here,” she said.

“I think it’s important that all the work that goes into the music scene on the Sunshine Coast is recognised, by peers, but also by the broader community.”

With strong support from the Sunshine Coast Council and the many musicians, venues and companies operating on the coast, the awards are part of SCMIC’s aim to raise the profile of the region’s industry.

SCMIC chairwoman and Solbar entertainment manager Melissa O'Bryan.

The Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective is an independent industry body dedicated to supporting, developing and championing the local music scene.

The University of the Sunshine Coast found in a 2022 study that one in 41 residents are or identify as musicians, meaning the Sunshine Coast has “one of the highest densities of working musicians in any region in Australia”.

The exact terms and conditions are still being finalised, but it can be revealed that anyone from the Sunshine Coast music scene living or working in the region, including the hinterland and Noosa shire areas, will be eligible to be nominated for the awards.

Producers, engineers, venues, event organisers, photographers, sound engineers and more will also be celebrated.

“There’s many people around the stars that make them shine, so we’ll be acknowledging those people as well,” Ms O’Bryan said.

Ms O’Bryan said she hoped that the awards inspired people.

“Music isn’t about the accolades, no one in the industry has worked for those alone, but it would be great to inspire people to work harder, be better and really bring the whole industry up another level with the awards being something to aspire to locally that’s tangible and achievable,” she said.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Music Industry Awards announced for 2025 by Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective