Finalists for the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards have been announced ahead of the ceremony to be held on May 30 at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau.

With 13 finalists named in both the Album and Single Of The Year, and half a dozen in many other categories the artist list is a long one.

Stan Walker leads the Tūī charge with five finalist in five categories including  Album Of The Year, Single Of The Year (for I Am)  Best Solo Artist, Best Māori Artist, and Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo, recognising albums or singles with at least 50% te reo Māori content. 

Tom Scott fronts four nominations including Album and Single Of The Year for Avantdale Bowling Club’s album ‘Trees’, and another four with Haz Beats for their Home Brew album ‘Run It Back’. Marlon Williams is up for Album Of The Year, Single Of The Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Music Video Content for his self-directed Don’t Go Back video. Triple Tūī takers back in 2020 The Beths are finalists in three premium categories; Album Of The Year, Single Of The Year and Best Group.

Kaylee Bell’s 2023 Boots ‘N All breakthrough year is reflected with three nominations; for Best Solo Artist, Best Country Artist and Single Of The Year. 2023 Taite Music Prize winner Princess Chelsea is a finalist for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Alternative Artist, while Mermaidens also have three winning chances as Best Alternative, Single Of The Year and Best Group. Amelia Murray aka Fazerdaze is up for Single Of The Year (Bigger), Best Solo Artist and Best Engineer alongside Emily Wheatcroft-Snape for her song Break! 

Being presented at this year’s AMA event rather than the Wellington Jazz Festival as in recent years, the Best Jazz Artist Tūī will go to either Clear Path Ensemble, Dave Wilson or Myele Manzanza. The Best Classical Artist trophy is also being awarded at AMA 24, with Michael Houstoun & Bella Hristova, Natasha Te Rupe-Wilson & Somi Kim, and the NZ String Quartet all up for the honour. And begging the question, ‘What the folk is up in Ōtautahi?’ all three finalists for Best Folk are from or based in Christchurch, namely Adam McGrath, Terrible Sons and Tom Lark.