In a music industry trifecta indie-popstars Betty Taylor (main picture) has take home three top gongs at the Sunshine Coast Music Awards (SCMAs) on Sunday night.
The all-femme line up was celebrating celebrating all aspects of the music industry with hundreds of musicians and professionals at the inaugural event at The Station, Birtinya.
Betty Taylor, with their heartfelt lyrics and dreamy harmonies, shot from backyard shows in 2022 to major festival slots, making their US debut at SXSW this year.
They were finalists in four categories, snagging Live Act of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Song of the Year, in the region’s newest most-coveted awards.
Ziggy Alberts, Solbar, Frank & Louis, and Yama-Nui Recording Studio were some of the other big names who took home one of the 11 awards.
As recipients of the Rising Star of the Year category, Betty Taylor scored a spot on stage at the Coast’s flagship music event, the Big Pineapple Festival, on November 1.
“We have a lot more music coming out that we’ve written, so hopefully this is just the beginning,” one of the girls beamed from stage, as they collected their award for their song, “Young Dumb Immature”.
“Thank you. I’m going to go to the bar now!”
Sunshine Coast Music Awards gives ‘long-awaited recognition’
The SCMAs saw the ‘who’s who’ of local music come together for a night of networking, live performances, and long-awaited recognition.
Guests were treated to intimate performances from SCMA winners Betty Taylor and Frank and Louis, with electrifying shows from punk-rock favourites Chamber Lane, indie-rock sensation Nana’s Pie, and hip-hop star Harlum.
Artist of the Year went to the folk-pop melodies of Ziggy Alberts – who is best known for his album “Laps Around the Sun”, while Musician of the Year went to freakishly-talented guitar virtuoso and blues artist Minnie Marks.
The First Nations Award went to industry stalwart Uncle Kevin Starkey, while Yama-Nui Recording Studio became Recording Studio of the Year.
Iconic music destination Solbar took out Venue of the Year, while teenage brothers Frank and Louis stole the Young Artist of the Year award from Ampersand and Wave Raiders.
ABC Sarah Howell’s dazzles in fruity ‘doona-dress’
Photo: The Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective 2025, creators of the SCMAs.
A “Sunny Coast formal” dress code saw a vibrant mix of yellow, fruity-inspired fashion pieces, including an original design from radio presenter and SCMIC Vice Chair Sarah Howells, who bedazzled in a hand-made dress featuring the names of over 60 local bands emblazoned across it.
Sarah, who co-hosted the night with TV’s celebrity producer Ian “Dicko” Dickson, joined presenters such as singer/songwriter Andrea Kirwin, University of the Sunshine Coast’s Dr Lachlan Goold AKA award-winning producer “Magoo”, and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.
The event kicked off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Lyndon Davis, followed by a killer warm-up act from break-out First Nations rapper Harlum.
The Punter of the Year award proved to be a popular one, with the one-of-a-kind award giving a nod to the efforts of gig-loving Coolum mum Leigh Kuryj.
Leigh was celebrated as the Coast’s biggest patron of music, scoring a year of free tickets to five local music venues as part of the prize.
Woodford Folk Festival also gave away a double-day pass to a lucky door winner.
2025 SCMAs WINNERS
Artist of the Year
- Winner: Ziggy Alberts
- Finalists: Betty Taylor, High Tropics and Raw Ordio
Artwork of the Year
- Winner: Lahni Thorogood
- Finalists: builtfromboxes and jeunae elita
First Nations Award
- Kevin Starkey
- Finalist: Daddy Frank
Live Act of the Year
- Winner: Betty Taylor
- Finalists: Raw Ordio and Sunny Coast Rude Boys
Musician of the Year
- Winner: Minnie Marks
- Finalists: Josiah Niven and Pat Tierney
Punter of the Year
- Winner: Leigh Kuryj
- Finalist: Letricia (Letty) Delaney
Recording Studio of the Year
- Winner: Yama Nui Studios
- Finalists: Big Rock Studio and Glasshouse Studios
Rising Star Award
- Winner: Betty Taylor
- Finalists: Frank and Louis and Wave Raiders
Song of The Year
- Winner: Betty Taylor, “Young, Dumb and Immature”
- Finalists: Buttermello, “Let Me Down Easy”, Ziggy Alberts – “I’m With You” and Frank and Louis – “FAT MAN”
Venue of the Year
- Winner: Solbar
- Finalists: Norton Music Factory and The Station
Young Artist of the Year
- Winner: Frank and Louis
- Finalists: Ampersand and Wave Raiders
