Finalists Announced For Grant McLennan, Billy Thorpe and Carol Lloyd Scholarships

QMusic has dropped the finalists for the Billy Thorpe Scholarship, Carol Lloyd Award and Grant Mclennan Scholarship, and there is some heavy competition amongst some amazing artists. We're sure that in each category, the judges will have their work cut out for them in choosing a winner. 

QMusic CEO Kris Stewart says the scholarship finalist for this year demonstrates the vibrant, diverse Queensland music industry and celebrates our artists at all stages of their careers, supporting them each step of the way.

“We at QMusic are so proud to continue the legacies of Billy Thorpe, Carol Lloyd and Grant McLennan by supporting these new generations of artists," Said Stewart.  "From early career musicians to established artists continuing to tell their story, the scholarship finalists for this year are some of the most exciting music makers from our State, and I can’t wait to hear what they make with this support."

This year, AYLA (Ayla Scanlan), BANFF (Ben Forbes), Elizabeth (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Sahara Beck have been nominated for the 2023 Grant Mclennan Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to expose recipients to travel to New York, London, or Berlin to be immersed in a foreign and vibrant music culture. Previous winners of the award include Jack Bratt, Jeremy Neale and Danny Harley.

The 2023 Billy Thorpe Scholarship provides the opportunity for an emerging artist or band to record with an established producer and receive career planning from industry pillar Chugg Entertainment. This year's nominees include Full Flower Moon Band, GLVES, Jem Cassar-Daley and NEISH. Previous winners of the award include Cloe Terare, Beckah Amani, Sam Hales (The Jungle Giants), and Greta Stanley.

Finally, the Carol Lloyd Award will award $15,000 to the winner, aiming to support their efforts to record a full-length album or tour an EP. This year's finalists will include Beckah Amani, Dana Gehrman, Jem Cassar-Daley and Platonic Sex.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch congratulated the 2023 nominees for the Grant McLennan Fellowship, Carol Lloyd Award and the Billy Thorpe Scholarship.

“Along with honouring the lives of music icons from Queensland’s past, these awards champion a whole new generation of talented performers who will each receive $15,000 to continue developing their music careers,” Minister Enoch said.

“The Queensland Government is committed to supporting artists and backing live music. Our investment in QMusic and support for these awards recognise the social and economic impacts of the live music industry and help to position Queensland as a leader.

“This investment delivers on the priorities of Creative Together, the ten-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, allowing each of these outstanding home-grown artists to be celebrated."

For more information on the finalists or on the Queensland Music Awards, please head here.