Finalists Announced For Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2018

The finalists have been announced for this year's star-studded Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, which will be rolling out the red carpet again at Auckland's Spark Arena on Thursday 15th November. Tuis will be awarded for New Zealand artists who have had recordings commercially released between 1st August 2017 and 31st July 2018.

Notable names amongst the huge list of finalists include Ruban Nielson's psychedelic rock / soul group Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who are nominated for four awards including Vodafone Single Of The Year for their song 'Hunnybee', and politically-charged Northland thrashers Alien Weaponry who are also up for four awards including Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist and Album of the Year for their debut collection Tū. Auckland rising star JessB is nominated for Best Hip Hop Artist and Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Silver Scroll finalist Troy Kingi is up for Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist and Best Soul / R&B Artist, and inimitable crooner Marlon Williams is in the running for Album of the Year for Make Way For Love, and is finalist for Three Best Solo Artist and Best Alternative Artist alongside Auckland firebrands Wax Chattels. What awesome local acts do you reckon should have made the cut? What showbiz shenanigans will occur on the night? Check out the full list of finalists and awards to be presented at the glitzy affair here...

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

Vodafone Single of the Year

Drax Project – ‘Woke Up Late’
Mitch James – ‘21’
Robinson – ‘Nothing To Regret’
Six60 – ‘Don't Give It Up’
Sons Of Zion – ‘Drift Away’
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘Hunnybee’

Best Group

Alien Weaponry – Tū
Drax Project - Noon
Six60 - Six60
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food

THREE Best Solo Artist

Julia Deans – We Light Fire
Kimbra – Primal Heart
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love
Tami Neilson – Sassafrass!

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Drax Project
JessB
L.A.B.
Robinson

Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist

Alien Weaponry
Katchafire
Troy Kingi