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2018 NZ Music Awards Finalists Revealed

2018 NZ Music Awards Finalists Revealed

Recorded Music NZ has released the list of the 2018 NZ Music Awards finalists today. The list below reveals four acts are in the running for the highest number of podium visits with four potential (new) Tuis each – and coincidentally all featuring in the Best Group category.

Six60 might well be able to add to their nine previous Tuis after releasing their third self-titled album earlier this year, and becoming first Kiwi act to sell out Western Springs stadium in Auckland.

Waipu’s already legendary metal three-piece Alien Weaponry are also up for four possible Tuis. Their combination of classic thrash with te reo Māori has been wowing festival audiences in Europe since the release of their debut album ‘Tū’ earlier this year on Austrian label Napalm Records.

Just as fresh but perhaps less talked about for now, Drax Project have had a wildly successful 2018 including a big overseas stint, and like Six60 being a fixture in the local charts for most of the year.

Seemingly up for all available awards in NZ year round, psychedelic rock act Unknown Mortal Orchestra released their ‘Sex & Food’ album in autumn, and gained a finalist spot on for 2018 Tui award categories.

While there is no replacement for the Critics Choice Award last held two years ago, there will be a series of music-related workshops around the time of the November 15 awards ceremony, as well as a newly added award for Best Music Teacher. For the first time, all finalists are eligible for the People’s Choice Award, the winner to be announced on the night.

VNZMA 2018 Finalists

Album of the Year

  • Alien Weaponry – ‘Tū’
  • Julia Deans – ‘We Light Fire’
  • Marlon Williams – ‘Make Way For Love’
  • Six60 – ‘Six60’
  • Tami Neilson – ‘Sassafrass!’
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘Sex & Food’

Single of the Year

  • Drax Project – Woke Up Late
  • Mitch James21
  • RobinsonNothing To Regret
  • Six60 – Don’t Give It Up
  • Sons Of Zion Drift Away
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Hunnybee

Best Group

  • Alien Weaponry 
  • Drax Project
  • Six60
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Best Solo Artist

  • Julia Deans
  • Kimbra
  • Marlon Williams
  • Tami Neilson

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

  • Drax Project
  • JessB
  • L.A.B.
  • Robinson

Best Māori Artist

  • Alien Weaponry
  • Katchafire
  • Troy Kingi

Best Pop Artist

  • Drax Project
  • Kimbra
  • Six60

Best Alternative Artist

Best Soul/RnB Artist

Best Hip Hop Artist

Best Roots Artist

  • Katchafire
  • Sons of Zion
  • Tomorrow People

Best Electronic Artist

Best Rock Artist

Best Worship Artist

  • EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth Choir
  • Equippers Revolution
  • Kane Adams

Best Classical Artist

  • Eve de Castro Robinson
  • Henry Wong Doe
  • Michael Houstoun