The QUBE Effect 2023 winners

Find out about the winners of The QUBE Effect 2023 awards including the:

Winners were announced on Tuesday 23 May 2023 at The Triffid.

Lord Mayor's Live Event Award

  • $2500 cash from ASM Global
  • Paid performance opportunity at Valley Fiesta
  • Consultancy session with Gadens Lawyers valued at $2500
  • Consultancy session with BDO Accountants valued at $2500
  • Seed Lip gift box
  • $300 Valley Eyewear Sunglasses voucher

The winner of the Lord Mayor's Live Event Award was Lucy Korts.

Lucy Korts is renowned for her intense vulnerability, enchanting vocals and empowering aura. With her fearless approach to song writing and powerful deliveries, she is also fast becoming known for her distinctive sound and stirring performance style. Since dropping her latest pop sensation 'Gone' and debut single 'Not Your Type', Lucy has gained airplay through the likes of B105 FM and Triple J. Her dedication to honing her song writing craft will see her continue to break down new boundaries and set the tone for shooting soft, and equally as strong releases into the eyes (and ears) of the Australian music scene.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

Innovation Award

  • 3 x private coaching sessions with Coach Viv from Next Act
  • BIGSOUND Delegate Pass x2
  • $200 Sonic Sherpa Records voucher
  • Seed Lip gift box
  • $300 Valley Eyewear Sunglasses voucher

The winner of the Innovation Award was ZZADE.

ZZADE is a 21 year old industrial-pop artist from Brisbane. Emerging in 2021 with a bass guitar and self-produced demos, ZZADE has focused on creating her own world of industrial, punk and pop inspired sounds, steadily carving a place for herself in the Brisbane music scene.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

QUBE Development Award

  • A&R Advice Session with John Mullen from Dew Process Records
  • Management advice session with Ruby-Jean McGabe and Dom Miller from Sunroom Group
  • $200 Sonic Sherpa Records voucher
  • Seed Lip gift box
  • $300 Valley Eyewear Sunglasses voucher

The winner of the QUBE Development Award was Ney Ney.

Ney Ney is an Indigenous R&B singer who wants to give back that Bobby Brown feel and get everyone on their feet dancing. With his undeniably cool 90s vibes, Ney Ney celebrates all that was great about this area with his smooth vocals and nostalgic approach to song writing.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

Original Song Award

  • Recording studio session with Visible Ink
  • BIGSOUND Delegate Pass x2
  • $200 Sonic Sherpa Records voucher
  • Seed Lip gift box
  • $300 Valley Eyewear Sunglasses voucher

The winner of the Original Song Award was Sophia Scott.

22-year-old singer-songwriter Sophia Scott is one to watch. Since the release of her indie-pop debut ‘We Were Almost’ in 2021, she has been drawing a crowd to her live shows in Brisbane and Byron Bay and tugging at the heartstrings of her doting listeners globally. Accompanied by her eclectic 3-piece band, Sophia has even amassed more than 75,000 streams on Spotify! More recently, Sophia has starting learning into a rockier realm of sound and with her latest rock-pop anthem ‘Fled the Alter’, she has set the tone for the energetic, captivating performance that is Sophia Scott.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

People's Choice Award

  • $1500 cash
  • Outland Denim Fashion Pack valued at $1000
  • $200 Sonic Sherpa Records voucher
  • Seed Lip gift box
  • $300 Valley Eyewear Sunglasses voucher

The winner of the People's Choice Award was A-Muse Project.

A-MUSE is a Brisbane based performance group that aims to spread the exciting world of Japanese pop music and culture across Australia. Performing energetic and colourful live shows every month, A-MUSE have also recently released their first EP ‘Opalescent’ in both Japanese and English.

You can also view this video on Council's YouTube channel.

Performance Partner prizes

In 2023, in addition to the prizes for the five award categories, the panel of industry professionals, in conjunction with our program sponsors, chose winners for the following paid performance opportunities:

  • Splendour in the Grass Arts and Music Festival - The Dandys
  • QAGOMA Festival - Lucy Korts
  • QAGOMA Up Late - ZZADE
  • Teneriffe Festival - Sleeping
  • Tivoli / The Princess Theatre - Sophia Scott
  • The Triffid - It's Acrylic
  • Airlock Engagement Prize - Bonsai Bay
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Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.