Five-piece metal band Ode to Suffering and solo artist Resuja took top honours at The Y’s 2026 New Found Sound grand final held at The Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau, on Saturday, September 26. New Found Sound is delivered through The Y’s Raise Up youth development programme, which gives young people opportunities across music, arts, sport, leadership and culture. 

The final held was the culmination of five regional heats held across Auckland over May and June, and brought 12 emerging Auckland acts together, with Resuja claiming the Solo/Duo title and Kaipara College band Ode to Suffering named the 2026 Band winner. At just 12 years old, Lyra Prasad was the youngest solo performer in the final, and was named Best Up and Coming. Northcote College five-piece alt-metal band Vandal got the Audience Choice award, having previously won both the Up and Coming Award and Audience Choice accolades at New Found Sound in 2025. 

New Found Sound is The Y’s annual youth music competition, delivered through its Raise Up youth development programme. It provides emerging musicians with opportunities to perform live, develop their craft and connect with other young artists, and experience what it takes to perform in front of an audience and industry judges.

The programme is also youth-led behind the scenes, with young people involved in planning, producing and delivering the regional heats and final. Participants gain practical experience across event management, production, artist liaison, promotion, staging, lighting, sound and live event operations.

2026 New Found Sound results:

Solo/Duo winner: Resuja
Band winner: Ode to Suffering
Best Up and Coming: Lyra Prasad
Audience Choice: Vandal