Vodafone NZ Music Awards 2008

Seven of the biggest, brightest and boldest New Zealand music acts are set to rock Vector Arena at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards – and all Kiwi music fans can be part of the action!

Kora, Shihad, Cut off your Hands, Anika Moa, Tiki Taane and Scribe are all confirmed to perform in front of the 5,000-strong crowd.

Legendary Dunedin band Straitjacket Fits – the recipient of the 2008 New Zealand Herald Legacy Award – is set to be honoured at the ceremony with a special performance by the “Fast Women”. This one-off all girl super-group will perform Straitjacket Fits’ She Speeds and is led by Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans with support from Anika Moa, Lani Purkis and Greta Anderson.

FINALISTS:

Nokia album of the year
Anika Moa - In Swings the Tide
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Scribe - Rhymebook
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Vodafone single of the year
Liam Finn - Gather To The Chapel
Opshop - One Day
Shihad - One Will Hear The Other
The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey
Tiki Taane - Always On My Mind

Steinlager Pure best group
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Best male solo artist
Liam Finn - I'll be Lightning
SJD - Songs From A Dictaphone
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Mazda best female solo artist
Aaradhna - Sweet Soul Music
Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide
Annabel Fay - Annabel Fay

Kiwi FM breakthrough artist of the year
Cut Off Your Hands - Blue On Blue
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

C4 best music video
Carey Carter - Tangaroa (Tiki Taane)
Ian Hart - Her Hairagami Set (The Brunettes)
Joe Lonie - Gather To The Chapel (Liam Finn)

Best rock album
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Shihad - Beautiful Machine
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

Best urban/hip hop album
Mareko - White Sunday 2: The Book Of Mark
Scribe - Rhymebook
Young Sid - The Truth

Best Aotearoa roots album
Katchafire - Say What You're Thinking
Kora - Kora
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best dance/electronica album
Magik Johnson - You Are Sound
Recloose - Perfect Timing
Shapeshifter - Live

Best Maori album
Moana & the Tribe - Wha
Ruia - 12:24 Tekau Ma Rua, Rua Tekau Ma Wha
Tiki Taane - Past, Present, Future

Best gospel/Christian album
All Left Out - The Conquest
Parachute Band - Roadmaps and Revelations
The Ember Days - Your Eyes Light Up

Best classical album
Gillian Whitehead - Puhake ki te rangi
Michael Houstoun - Inland
NZTrio - Bright Tide Moving Between

Now there’s room for thousands more music fans, a designated mosh pit, a bigger stage for bigger bands and the best of the best in New Zealand music.

So scribble down October 8 right now to be part of the biggest night on the Kiwi music calendar.

RIANZ chief executive Campbell Smith says it’s time to turn it up a notch.

“We’ve been celebrating the finest Kiwi music for the past 43 years – but this year will be the biggest and best production by a mile. I can promise it’s going to be an electrifying experience.

“In recent years the awards have evolved from an industry-only event to one that attracts thousands of people star-watching on the red carpet, and a massive audience for a live TV broadcast on C4.

“Now, with a premium venue like Vector, and the support of naming rights sponsor Vodafone, we have the space to throw open the doors and more music fans than ever can be part of the action.”