KEY POINTS:
The Vodafone NZ Music Awards on Wednesday night was a Spy highlight and definitely one of the coolest events of the year, largely because it was full of rock 'n roll stars and their rock 'n roll misbehaviour. Anyone who was anyone was there. I would have blogged
about this yesterday, only I was seriously hungover - sign of a great party! The following is what I can tell you about the Tuis - for the really juicy stuff, you'll have to read Guess Who Don't Sue in Spy's Herald on Sunday:
(Here's some of my favourite pics from the night.)
* Mike Chunn was Spy-ed, quite early in the night surprisingly, flinging undies around the table like missiles. Not his, thankfully - the ones supplied in the swag bags.
* Hamish Gee from The Feelers was taken out on a wheelchair later in the night during the show, after getting a little too intoxicated.
* Prime Minister-slash-Minister of the Arts, Helen Clark, who sat near me, got a roaring ovation from the crowd when she hit the stage to present the international achievement award. Pity she didn't demonstrate the same respect during the show instead of constantly texting on her BlackBerry (to Michael Cullen, I was told) and chatting to Steve Maharey throughout the proceedings for Best Maori Album. She paid no notice to who won (FYI Hels: Ruia did). Couldn't she have delayed the gossiping with Maharey 'til the following day?
* The table full of Shortland St stars couldn't get up to much misbehaving with two of Helen Clark's personal security bodyguards sitting alongside.
* The naughty boys from Shihad (who won the Tui for best rock album) were attracting attention backstage for their behaviour. Let's just say the aroma of eau de Mary Jane was emanating from the backstage side door. We were honouring Home Grown talents, only not the hydroponic variety! Jon Toogood arrived on the red carpet on the arm of his beautiful 17-year-old daughter who was proud as punch of her dad. Aw bless.
* Dan Mancini, who flew in from LA to DJ at the after-party, left his wife stranded outside the men's toilets at Vector, (he was there for a while). Then they had a fight about it on-stage during his set and she was seen slapping his face before storming off.
* What has Oscar Knightly done with the Tui he accepted on behalf of Flight of the Conchords for Best Album of the Year? He gave it to someone. Can they please return it?
* Nightline's Samantha Hayes got a tepid reception as presenter when her joke fell flat. She'd tried to congratulate Tiki Taane and his six nominations, but went too far sniping: "Well, leaving Salmonella Dub wasn't so bad after all, was it?" The audience cringed. But TV3 colleague John Campbell got a raving reception as presenter, probably for reading the audience and incorporating the words "root", "drugs", "condoms" and "you lot" all in the same sentence.
* Frank Whitten from Outrageous Fortune announced to the crowd that he'd sex backstage - but we don't believe him, it was past 9 o'clock.
* The goody bags were far cooler than anything at Fashion Week - clean knickers (very thoughtful), Gravity coffee for the morning after, Mac make-up, Schwarzkopf hair products, a music mag, and a Stitch Ministry T-shirt. But being a cool muso show, not many were seen touting them at the after-party. Shame.
* The food, or lack of it, was to blame for my serious hangover on Thursday. Nevermind the copious amount I had to drink. Note to organisers: the event was brilliant, the venue was great, the catering just not all that.
* Madeleine Sami and pint-sized music presenter Nick D were a surprise to see canoodling at the after-after-party at Crow Bar and clutching digits at the bar like teenagers. Bless.
Here's some of my favourite pics from the night. Check out Spy in the Herald on Sunday for a full wrap-up on the Tuis and all the photos from the event, including best and worst dressed.
Rachel Glucina
Pictured above: Julia Deans from Fur Patrol with Jon Toogood from Shihad. Photo / Norrie Montgomery