YOUNG COAST ARTISTS MAKING SOUNDWAVES
THE beach’s natural majesty has infused many an event with a sense of occasion. Most recently, it’s given the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs) a springboard to loudly and proudly remind audiences: We built this city on rock and roll.
While the Coast has struggled to replace larger music venues and events (from Bombay Rock and The Playroom to Summafieldayze and the Big Day Out), the GCMAs are a shout out to the diverse range of talented performers to be found in music friendly nooks, crannies and venues across town.
Thursday night’s fourth annual GCMAs — the second on the beach since the event moved to Surfers last year — shines a light on our homegrown music makers and signals the start of the three-day Surfers Paradise LIVE festival.
Multiple finalists Amy Shark, Hollow Coves, Hussy Hicks, Eliza & The Delusionals and Black Rabbit George lead this year’s contenders — a healthy mix of established and emerging artists.
Rocking Pottsville raised local multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Eliza Klatt — the driving force behind rifftastic trio Eliza & The Delusionals — is hot favourite to win the breakout live artist and song of the year categories.
Klatt, 21, and her band had a ripper 2017 that took them to Canada, around Australia and back, to the Falls Festival and Brisbane’s BIGSOUND.
Eliza & The Delusionals play a free show on Surfers beach with Bobby Alu, Hussy Hicks and Electrik Lemonade on Thursday from 5.30pm for the 2018 Gold Coast Music Awards.