Katie Noonan. Supplied.

The Sunshine Coast Music Awards (SCMAs) has announced its 2026 finalists, with artists, venues, studios, live acts and industry names set to be officially recognised next month.

Created by the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective (SCMIC), the SCMAs return for a second year in 2026, after launching to a crowd of more than 300 at The Station last year.

Winners will be announced on June 7 at The Shed in Palmview, with organisers saying this year’s program followed an overwhelming response from the local music community.

Finalists span 11 categories including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Rising Star, Young Artist of the Year, Venue of the Year, Recording Studio of the Year, Punter of the Year and more.

This year, the Indidge Award recognises First Nations artists, continuing the awards’ focus on celebrating the region’s Indigenous music community.

The list includes some of the region’s best-known names, alongside emerging acts and behind-the-scenes contributors helping shape the Coast’s music culture.

Awards return with strong local support

SCMIC chair Melissa O’Bryan, Solbar’s former entertainment manager and a long-time Sunshine Coast music industry figure, said the second year of the awards was already showing strong growth across the region.

“Our second year of celebrating, and we are thrilled with how it’s all shaping up,” she said.

“The diversity of genres this year is exceptional, and with increased nominations in categories such as the Punter of the Year and Artwork of the Year, it is telling that these awards are shaping up to be one of the more eclectic programs out there.”

Awards return for second year

Frank & Louis, who won Young Artist of the Year in 2025 and are finalists again this year, said the awards helped shine a light on the region’s young talent.

“The Sunny Coast has so much talent, and it’s epic that we have these awards to celebrate it,” they said.

The finalists were selected by a panel of music industry professionals from across Australia, including representatives from triple j and Woodford Folk Festival, as well as Brad Hinds from Oztix, Harley Evans from Moshtix, James See from Airlock Studios, Jordan Acker from G.Y.R.O. and producer Dr Lachlan Goold, also known as Magoo.

YELO editor Penny Brand was also part of the 2026 judging panel.

2026 Sunshine Coast Music Awards finalists

Artist of the Year: Katie Noonan, Linc Phelps, Minnie Marks, Nana’s Pie.

Artwork of the Year: Elke Louie – “Killing Time” film clip, Fake News – “Dead Set” album artwork, Jordyn Furmedge (The Video Chick) – “Run” by Byrd of Paradyse, Lahni Thorogood – “Good Boy” cover art by Phil and the Blanks.

Indidge Award: Adam James, Al Bartholomew, Deline Briscoe.

Live Act of the Year: 8 Ball Aitken, Katie Noonan, Marshall Hamburger, Raw Ordio.

Musician of the Year: 8 Ball Aitken, Katie Noonan, Minnie Marks, Pat Tierney.

Punter of the Year: Laura Thompson, Letty Delaney, Lindsay Gibson.

Recording Studio of the Year: Alpha & Omega Digital Recording Studio, Nyssa Ray Recordings, Tom Does Stuff Studios, Yama-Nui Studios.

Rising Star: Cora, Chris Cobb, Marshall Hamburger, mou, Zorrovian.

Song of the Year: Alys Ffion – “Secret”, Buttermello – “Low”, Che Burns – “Devil Like You”, Cora – “(boy)cott”, Jesse Taylor – “I Can Feel It”.

Venue of the Year: The Presynct, Norton Music Factory, Kings Beach Tavern, The Nook, Mapleton Public House (Green Room).

Young Artist of the Year: Cora, Elke Louie, Frank & Louis, Jemzel, Layla Havana.

Winners announced in Palmview next month

The 2026 Sunshine Coast Music Awards ceremony will be held on June 7 at The Shed in Palmview, with tickets available via Moshtix.

The awards are supported by Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Moshtix as platinum sponsors, Mooloolaba Music as gold sponsor, and Bendigo Bank as silver sponsor.