Finalists warm up for music's biggest night

Alisa Xayalith from The Naked and Famous. Photo / Greg Bowker

The lead singer of Auckland indie band The Naked and Famous, Alisa Xayalith, yesterday tested her vocal cords during a sound check for New Zealand music's biggest night.

The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, which recognise the successes of Kiwi musicians over the past year, are all set to go ahead tonight at the Vector Arena.

Comedian Ben Boyce, who was arrested this year for his role in a sketch on his show, Wanna-Ben, which involved impersonating a pilot, will co-host with Four TV presenter Shannon Ryan.

The Naked and Famous top the running for the awards with six nominations for their debut album Passive Me Aggressive You.

Close behind with five each are Ladi6 and Brooke Fraser. Avalanche City, David Dallas, Six60 and Tiki Taane have three finalist spots each.

Tonight's show will feature live performances from each of the finalists as well as New Zealand funk rock group, Supergroove.

* nzherald.co.nz will live blogging from the red carpet right through to the final performance, with contributions from our entertainment staff including Russell Baillie, Lydia Jenkin, Sam Wicks, Chris Schulz and Hugh Sundae.

Full list of finalists for the 2011 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards

Russian Standard Vodka Album of The Year

The Naked and Famous Passive Me Aggressive You
Ladi6 The Liberation Of...
Brooke Fraser Flags
Avalanche City Our New Life Above the Ground
David Dallas The Rose Tint

Vodafone Single of The Year

The Naked and Famous Young Blood
Avalanche City Love Love Love
Ladi6 Like Water
Brooke Fraser Something in the Water
Six60 Rise Up 2.0

FOUR Best Group

The Naked and Famous Passive Me Aggressive You
Shihad Ignite
Kids of 88 Sugarpills

Best Male Solo Artist

Tiki Taane In the World of Light
David Dallas The Rose Tint
Stan Walker From The Inside Out

Best Female Solo Artist

Brooke Fraser Flags
Ladi6 The Liberation Of...
Julia Deans Modern Fables

Pacific Blue Breakthrough Artist of The Year

The Naked and Famous Passive Me Aggressive You
Six60 Rise Up 2.0
Avalanche City Our New Life Above the Ground

PPNZ Best Rock Album

Shihad Ignite
Cairo Knife Fight Cairo Knife Fight
Beastwars Beastwars

The Edge Best Pop Album

Brooke Fraser Flags
Kids of 88 Sugarpills
Julia Deans Modern Fables

Best Alternative Album

The Naked and Famous Passive Me Aggressive You
Street Chant Means
Die! Die! Die! Form

Serato Best Urban / Hip Hop Album

Ladi6 The Liberation Of...
David Dallas The Rose Tint
PNC Man on Wire

Best Roots Album

TrinityRoots Music is Choice
House of Shem Island Vibration
Katchafire On the Road Again

NZ On Air Best Music Video

Special Problems Punching In A Dream (The Naked and Famous)
Special Problems Broken Machine (Zowie)
Faye McNeil Like Water (Ladi6)

Best Electronica Album

Tiki Taane In the World of Light
State of Mind Nil By Ear
Concord Dawn The Enemy Within

Best Maori Album

Tiki Taane In the World of Light
Miss Black Black Light
Wai Ora

Best Gospel / Christian Album

Parachute Band Love Without Measure
The Ember Days Finger Painting EP
Juliagrace Beautiful Survivor

Best Classical Album

John Psathas Helix
Flight Flight
New Zealand String Quartet Notes from a Journey

Vodafone People's Choice Award

Ladi6
Brooke Fraser
Six60
Stan Walker
The Naked and Famous

New Zealand Herald Legacy Award

Dragon