15 November 2018 - 0 Comments

Paul T Gheist from Muzic.net.nz reported live from the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards! Photos have also be added courtesy of Chris Morgan Photography. Here's how the ceremony unfolded: 

6:45 - Red carpet time! The party don't start 'til the Kapa Haka group get their waiata on! Leisurely dominating the red walkway are Tammy Davis, the Six60 gang, Sons of Zion boys, Brooke Fraser, Che Fu, JessB, and a very chilled Tami Neilson, relaxing at the Tuning Fork - Plus a whole host of Aotearoa's biggest. I'd be lying if I said I knew them all.

8:30 - Alien Weaponry, the young Northland metaller teens, kick off the night with a performance of blast beats, headbanging and - best of all - Te Reo Maori. Shirtless in shorts and sneakers, the contrast against the cocktail dresses and sharp suits is striking, but hey - It's representing a scene that is alive and well, and that's just how it's done!

8:40 - Renowned artist Dick Frizzell (you know, that guy who drew the 4 Square dude - He designed this year's Tui Award) is invited on stage to present Airplay Record of the Year to Six60

8:45 - Sons of Zion win Best Roots Artist 

8:50 - Best Soul / R&B Artist Award goes to Troy Kingi! 

8:55 - Cool, dazzling performance from Drax Project, filling out Spark Arena with their hit Woke Up Late.

8:58 - Damian from Blindspott and Boh Runga on stage to present this year's Rock Artist Award! Woohoo! And Alien Weaponry have taken it! With hair now tied back and ironed shirts buttoned up, the trio humbly accept the trophy

9:00 - And it's Best Pop Artist time - This year it goes to Kimbra, who accepted the award from overseas, presented to her by the one and only David Byrne!

9:04 - Of course, Dom and Randall from The Edge FM couldn't resist pulling out a quick dad joke. I'm a fan, can't lie... Best Solo Artist award goes to Marlon Williams, whose manager accepted the award on his behalf.

9:10 - Time for the Best Maori Artist Award, presented by Teeks. Greeted by a stirring haka, Troy Kingi appears again for his second win of the night! 

9:15 - Robinson emerges from the back of the stage, dressed in an all-white suit, and treats the seated audience a brow-raising rendition of her single Nothing to Regret.

9:18 - Who's got their money on who for Electronic Artist of the Year? Chores have the award - Take your winnings! As an aside... What is up with that exposed-ankles look?

9:20 - The king himself, King Kapisi is invited on stage to present the Best Hip-Hop Artist trophy. Dressed in an assortment of camouflage gear, the SWIDT troupe jump up and accept! Wait, so it's not spelt "Swiddit"?

9:28 - Here's a category that's always interesting to keep an eye on - Breakthrough Artist of the Year... And it's landed by Wellington's Drax Project.

9:33 - Best Alternative Artist Award cleaned up by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, accepted by the band's manager Lucy Macrae.

9:35 - Stan Walker sits down and gives a sobering, yet uplifting performance of Thank You. This one's a tribute to Aotearoa's fallen musical heroes... *sniff* 

9:40 - International Achievement Award is claimed by the incredible Brooke Fraser - Word has it she flew in today from Los Angeles and flying back again after the show - Now THAT is dedication.

9:45 - Highest Selling Single award picked up by by Six60 for the chart-dominating Don't Give It Up! And of course, not a single surprised expression in the audience...

9:50 - Time for the heavy-hitting and inspiring JessB to hop under the lights, pulling out stops for the tune Set It Off. With a choreographed troupe transforming from black hoodies to colourful tees, and musically heavy on Missy Elliott vibes and tribal beats, it was hard not to get into this one!!

9:55 - Kings and the ageless Suzy Cato are up to present the next big award, but not before Suzy treats everyone to a quick acapella of her signature kids' song It's Our Time. As awkward as it sounded, it was met with arena-wide applause. Hell, even I clapped. Oh right, back to the trophy. And the award goes to Drax Project for the single Woke Up Late! 

10:00 - One of the biggest award of the night, Highest Selling Album Award... And goes to Six60 again!

10:04 - Easily the most overlooked award, Best Classical Artist is picked up by University of Auckland professor and composer, the humble and lovely Eve de Castro Robinson.

10:07 - What a way to well and truly welcome in this Aotearoa summer; Sons of Zion pulled off a sweet live rendition of the dreamy and stripped-back Drift Away, throwing in a guest appearance from Kings! 

10:15 - The heftiest award of the year in Aotearoa: Best Group Award goes to, once again, Six60 

10:18 - With a totally unplanned and completely non-staged drink-spilling skit, Kiwi comedy superstars Jono & Ben handed the People's Choice Award to... Nobody's guessing anymore - Six60! By a huge margin of over 1200 votes above the runners up! That's seriously impressive. C'mon, admit it. 

10:28 - Comedian Ben Hurley and Elemeno P's Lani Purkis take the podium to present the Album of the Year... Hold your breath now, folks... It goes to Make Way for Love by Marlon Williams! Being away from Aotearoa, Marlon recorded a personal and modest appreciation speech dedicated to his production team, parents and more. What a win - Great stuff, Marlon 

10:35 - Acknowledging their pioneering efforts and racially-empowering work, the Legacy Award was bestowed upon the granddads of New Zealand hip-hop Upper Hutt Posse - And a well-deserved recognition too! 

10:50 - With the original members of Upper Hutt Posse watching, Che Fu gave a powerful rendition of the former act's signature hit E Tu to cap off the night's ceremony. 

2018 Vodafone NZ Music Awards Photo Gallery

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