A Sunshine Coast hinterland festival has claimed one of Queensland’s top music awards, with organisers pointing to its volunteer-led model as the reason it continues to grow.
The Maleny Music Festival was named Festival of the Year – People’s Choice at the Queensland Music Awards on the Gold Coast on April 22, recognising its place in the state’s live music scene.
The win follows a strong year for the event with record ticket sales and a sold-out campground in 2025.
Festival director Rachel Clarke said the award reflected a long-standing focus on supporting artists and keeping live music accessible.
“We are absolutely thrilled with this award. Our business model is to provide employment for musicians and to ensure live music events continue to thrive,” she said.
Run largely by volunteers, the festival operates without the commercial pressures faced by many large-scale events.
“Because we are volunteer-run, we know the event will go ahead regardless. Of course we want it to be successful, but there’s no KPI hanging over our heads that risks cancellation,” Ms Clarke said.
“It gives everyone involved – from musicians to organisers to audiences – the confidence to commit and be part of something special.”
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Held each November, the three-day event has built a loyal following, featuring more than 150 performances alongside markets, workshops, jam sessions, open mic opportunities and bush poetry.
“It’s a relaxing, family-friendly event filled with incredible talent. Festival goers can attend for a single day or immerse themselves in the full weekend experience,” Ms Clarke said.
Organisers said the festival also delivered a broader boost to the region, with local accommodation filling out and small businesses seeing increased trade during the event.
“It’s something the whole community builds together from the ground up. That’s what makes it so special – people don’t just attend the festival, they feel part of it and this award recognises that,” Clarke said.
Artist liaison Tess Easton said interest from performers had surged ahead of the 2026 event.
“It’s incredible. We’ve had overwhelming interest from musicians, with 420 applications for 70 music positions for the festival this year. It’s the most we’ve ever had.
“It means we can choose from a strong pool, while still maintaining a mix of established and up and coming musicians. The Youth Show Case, which was implemented in 2025, will be returning this year due to its strong success in building youth engagement,” she said.
The Maleny Music Festival will run from November 6 to 8, with early bird tickets on sale from May 1.
