The nominations for the 17th annual Q Magazine Awards were announced October 17, 2006. The awards are one of the top British prizes for popular music. Awards are given out in 5 categories and were presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England on October 30, 2006. The winners in the competitive awards are in bold. Other awards presented follow the list of nominations.
Best New Act
- Lily Allen
- Corinne Bailey Rae - Winner
- The Kooks
- Arctic Monkeys
- Orson
Best Live Act
- Oasis
- Razorlight
- Muse - Winner
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Arctic Monkeys
Best Track
- Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
- Gnarls Barkley - Crazy - Winner
- Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing
- The Feeling - Never Be Lonely
- Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
Best Album
- Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
- Kasabian - Empire
- Keane - Under the Iron Sea
- Razorlight - Razorlight
- Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not - - Winner
- Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Best Act in the World Today
- Muse
- Coldplay
- Oasis - Winner
- U2
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Additional Awards
- Best Video - The Killers - When We Were Young
- Q Inspiration Award - A-Ha
- Q Outstanding Contribution to Music Award - Smokey Robinson
- Q Groundbreaker Award - Primal Scream
- Q Icon Award - Jeff Lynne
- Q Idol Award - Take That
- Q Outstanding Performance Award - Faithless
- Q Classic Songwriter Award - Noel Gallagher
- Q Lifetime Achievement Award - Peter Gabriel
- Q Merit Award - Manic Street Preachers
- Q Innovation in Sound Award - The Edge
- Q Classic Song Award - Culture Club - "Karma Chameleon"
- People's Choice Award - Arctic Monkeys
- Q Legend Award - The Who
- Q Award of Awards - U2
