On Sunday night, Albi & The Wolves were announced as the winner of the 2018 Best Folk Artist Tui at the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu.

Currently one of the most engaging and captivating live bands in the country, Albi & The Wolves independently released their debut album ‘One Eye Open’ in December 2016.

The other finalists for the 2018 Best Folk Artist were Reb Fountain, following the release of her album ‘Little Arrows’ in spring 2017, and Candice Milner, after releasing her debut album ‘Evergreen’ at the end of 2016.

On their Facebook, the band said, “We are feeling INSANELY happy about this as the other two nominations are both absolutely fantastic. Reb Fountain and Candice Milner are amazing artists, and we felt humbled to share a stage with them yesterday.

Your support for this band has been incredible and it has kept us going and also encouraged us to work towards another record. Seriously. Thank you.”

Recent previous winners of the Tui for Best Folk Album

2013 – Great North – ‘Halves’
2014 – Tattletale Saints – ‘How Red Is the Blood’
2015 – Great North – ‘Up In Smoke’
2016 – Holly Arrowsmith – ‘For The Weary Traveller’
2017 – Guy Wishart – ‘West By North’