NZ music award finalists revealed

Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson NZH 29Mar18 - NZH 29Mar18 - NZH 30Aug18 -

The finalists for the Vodafone NZ Music Awards 2018 have been announced and it's going to be a ferocious battle to take home the top honours.

Unlike recent years, no clear frontrunner has emerged. Instead, four finalists will fight it out with four nominations each.

Metal trio Alien Weaponry, pop-rockers Six60, R&B-poppers Drax Project and indie-darlings Unknown Mortal Orchestra are all neck-and-neck.

Various combinations of the four face off against each other in a variety of categories, including Album of the Year and Single of the Year.

But the true clash of the titans is Best Group, which sees all four bands squaring off. A win here will prove decisive in claiming top-dog status at the awards.

These four are closely followed by broken-hearted troubadour Marlon Williams, who is sitting pretty with a confident three nominations, including Best Album, Best Alternative Artist and Best Solo Artist.

Hot on his heels, and possibly in high heels of their own, are sassy country-soul singer Tami Neilson, indie singer-songwriter Julia Deans and pop chameleon Kimbra, who each have two noms.

However, these numbers don't tell the full story as there are still some wild-card categories. People's Choice, Highest Selling Single, Highest Selling Album, Radio Airplay and International Achievement will be announced on the night.

And a win in a wild-card category could push someone into the top spot, meaning there's still everything to play for and will no doubt inject some extra drama into the ceremony.

Vodafone NZ Music Awards 2018 Finalists

Album of the Year
Alien Weaponry – Tū
Julia Deans – We Light Fire
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love
Six60 – Six60
Tami Neilson – Sassafrass!
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food

Vodafone Single of the Year
Drax Project – Woke Up Late
Mitch James – 21
Robinson – Nothing To Regret
Six60 – Don't Give It Up
Sons Of Zion – Drift Away
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Hunnybee

Best Group
Alien Weaponry – Tū
Drax Project - Noon
Six60 - Six60
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food

THREE Best Solo Artist
Julia Deans – We Light Fire
Kimbra – Primal Heart
Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love
Tami Neilson – Sassafrass!

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Drax Project
JessB
L.A.B.
Robinson

Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist
Alien Weaponry
Katchafire
Troy Kingi

The Edge Best Pop Artist
Drax Project
Kimbra
Six60

Best Alternative Artist
Marlon Williams
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Wax Chattels

Best Soul/RnB Artist
Israel Starr
Troy Kingi
Vince Harder

Best Hip-Hop Artist
JessB
Kings
SWIDT

Best Roots Artist
Katchafire
Sons of Zion
Tomorrow People

Best Electronic Artist
Arma Del Amor
Boycrush
Chores

Best Rock Artist
Alien Weaponry
Cairo Knife Fight
Skinny Hobos

Best Worship Artist
EFKS Te Atatu Junior Youth Choir
Equippers Revolution
Kane Adams

Best Classical Artist
Eve de Castro Robinson
Henry Wong Doe
Michael Houstoun

Vodafone People's Choice Award
Recorded Music NZ Legacy Award
Vodafone Highest-Selling Single
Highest-Selling Album
NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year
International Achievement