Cora. Photo via Facebook.
Rising Sunshine Coast artist Cora is among the performers announced for this year’s Sunshine Coast Music Awards on June 7 at The Shed at Banana Bender Pub in Palmview.
The live program will feature the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Troupe, Buttermello, 8 Ball Aitken, Cora and Chris Cobb.
The night will be hosted by local music legends Sarah Howells and Melissa O’Bryan, two familiar names who have helped shape the region’s music culture across radio, venues and live music advocacy.
Winners will be announced across 11 categories celebrating the Sunshine Coast music scene, with artists, industry figures and music supporters coming together for the awards’ second year.
Live lineup features finalists
Several of the announced performers are also among this year’s finalists.
8 Ball Aitken is nominated for Live Act of the Year and Musician of the Year, while Buttermello is a finalist for Song of the Year with “Low”.
Cora is nominated across Rising Star, Young Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “(boy)cott”, while Chris Cobb is also among the Rising Star finalists.
The live program adds another layer to the event, turning the awards into a showcase of the Coast’s current music scene as well as a celebration of the artists, venues, studios and industry workers behind it.
Awards celebrate the Coast’s music scene
Created by the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective, the awards launched in 2025 to a crowd of more than 300 at The Station.
This year’s finalists span 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.
The Indidge Award also returns, recognising First Nations artists and continuing the awards’ focus on celebrating the region’s Indigenous music community.
SCMIC chair Melissa O’Bryan, Solbar’s former entertainment manager and a long-time Sunshine Coast music industry figure, said the awards were 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.”
Winners to be announced
The 2026 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.
Tickets are available via Moshtix.
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