Listen up: The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards is coming to the Vector Arena.
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 8 October 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.”
Vodafone New Zealand head of sponsorship Richard Howarth says the company is thrilled to be naming rights sponsor again of what is set to be the music event of the year.
“This year we are taking music lovers even closer to New Zealand music by enabling them to not only decide who will win the Vodafone People’s Choice Award but also decide which five acts are nominated in the first place. And one lucky fan will also win the chance to present the hotly contested award live on stage,” says Howarth.
In addition to the focus on finalists and the prestige of taking home a Tui, Smith says the evening promises a line up of celebrity presenters and special performances and collaborations by the crème of Kiwi music.
“Our producers have some great fresh ideas for the new venue to support the set and make this event the talk of the town. People need to grab these public tickets while they’re available to make sure they don’t miss out!”
Smith says there have been more than 400 entries for this year’s awards, 40 of them in the breakthrough artist category.
“Put simply, that reflects the extremely healthy state of New Zealand music and the large group of new artists coming through the ranks.”
Tickets to the awards go on sale 3 September through Ticketmaster at $47 + booking fee each.
Finalists for the awards will be announced in Auckland on Wednesday 3 September, with the awards night on 8 October.
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