Top 5 Finalists Revealed For 2023 APRA Silver Scroll Awards

APRA are pleased to announce the Top 5 songs chosen as finalists for the 2023 APRA Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka. The esteemed peer voted award has been a mark of songwriting excellence in Aotearoa for 58 years, and this year’s finalists are all worthy recipients. 

The winner will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards on Wednesday 4 October.

Don't Go Back written by Marlon Williams and Mark Perkins, performed by Marlon Williams (Concord Music Publishing)

Expert In A Dying Field written by Elizabeth Stokes, Jonathan Pearce, Benjamin Sinclair, and Tristan Deck performed by The Beths (Carpark Music Publishing via Gaga Music PTY LTD)

Friday Night @ The Liquor Store written by Tom Scott and Christopher James performed by Avantdale Bowling Club

Layla written by Ruban Nielson and Kody Nielson performed by Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Mushroom Music PTY LTD)

The Crab / Waterbaby written by Hollie Fullbrook performed by Tiny Ruins (Kobalt Music Publishing)

Also announced, are Steph Brown and Fen Ikner aka LIPS as Music Directors for the event. The Music Directors are responsible for all the cover performances throughout the ceremony, with their musical vision giving the night a distinctive spirit. LIPS won the APRA Silver Scroll Award for their song Everything To Me in 2012, and were Top 20 finalists in 2022 for Not Today, in 2021 for Your Deodorant Doesn’t Work, and in 2020 for Guilty Talk.

Alongside the APRA Silver Scroll Award, four other awards will be presented at the private event held at Spark Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau on Wednesday 4 October. The other awards presented on the night are:

• APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha
• SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha
• APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa
• APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi

APRA will also honour 2023 NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee Don McGlashan. Don was announced as the 2023 recipient on Thursday 24 August, and he will be honoured at the awards with a special tribute and performances.

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF KIWI MUSIC AT THE 54TH VODAFONE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC AWARDS | NGĀ TOHU PUORO O AOTEAROA

Photo: Soundcloud

“The calibre of talent just keeps getting better each year with more and more of our talented Kiwi musicians making an impact both in Aotearoa and abroad. We’re consistently impressed by the creativity, skill and expertise of our musicians and New Zealand should be incredibly proud. 

The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards give us a chance to acknowledge this as well as encourage aspiring and emerging artists to continue forging their music journey.” 

Recorded Music NZ CEO Damian Vaughan

Pop sensation BENEE made her mark on the New Zealand music history tonight, taking home four Tui at the 54th Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards at Spark Arena in Auckland.

The nineteen-year-old was awarded Best Solo Artist | Te Kaipuoro Takitahi Toa and Vodafone Single of the Year | Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau on the back of her certified platinum debut single ‘Soaked’.

She also claimed the The Edge Best Pop Artist | Te Kaipuoro Arotini Toa and Smirnoff Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Te Kaituhura Puoro Toa o te Tau for her latest album 'FIRE ON MARZZ'.

Hip hop meets jazz in Avantdale Bowling Club’s self-titled debut album by Tom Scott which received two Tui including the coveted THREE Album of the Year | Te Pukaemi o te Tau and Best Hip Hop Artist | Te Kaipuoro Hipihope Toa. The album, which hit #1 in the Official New Zealand Music Charts, was conceptualised by artist Tom Scott along with talented musicians who brought each song to life. He also performed ‘Home’ with the Avondale Intermediate School Choir, an homage the school he attended in his youth.

Also picking up two Tui was indie pop band The Beths for Best Group | Te Roopu Toa and Best Alternative Artist | Te Kaipuoro Manohi Toa, following the success of their debut album 'Future Me Hates Me' in 2018. The four-piece band has been taking New Zealand and the world by storm, with sell-out shows across New Zealand, Europe and the UK.

For the second year in a row veterans Six60 picked up Highest Selling Artist| Te Toa Hoko Teitei, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year | Te Rikoata Marakerake o te Tau, and the Vodafone People’s Choice | Te Kōwhiri o te Nuinga awards, further cementing their place as a Kiwi favourite.

As a result of the success of the third instalment of Troy Kingi’s ambitious plan to release 10 albums in 10 years, Troy Kingi, alongside his band The Upperclass, deservedly received Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Artist | Te Kaipuoro Māori Toa and Best Roots Artist | Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa for the album 'Holy Colony Burning Acres'.

Legacy award | Tohu Whakareretanga and NZ Music Hall of Fame | The Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa inductees Th’ Dudes reformed to play their own tribute performance, a medley of their classic Kiwi songs – including 'Bliss', 'Be Mine Tonight' and 'Walking in Light'. They were joined by special guests Rikki Morris, the brother of the late Ian Morris, as well as Ian’s daughters Julia and Maude of LEXXA, capping off an amazing night of celebrating Aotearoa’s booming music scene.

After their four-year hiatus, Auckland rockers Villainy released their highly anticipated third album 'Raised in the Dark', winning them Best Rock Artist | Te Kaipuoro Rakapioi Toa, while Bailey Wiley, who is soon to embark on a nationwide tour, won KFC Best Soul/RnB Artist | Te Kaipuoro Awe Toa following the release of her self-titled EP.

Also taking home awards tonight was internationally renowned TALI who received ROVA Best Electronic Artist | Te Kaipuoro Tāhiko Toa for her latest album Love & Migration, Harbourside Worship who received Best Worship Artist | Te Kaipuoro Kairangi Toa for their new EP Collide and Simon O’Neill who won Best Classical Artist | Te Kaipuoro Inamata Toa for his album Distant Beloved.

Big winners at last year awards, Drax Project received the Recorded Music NZ International Achievement | Tohu Tutuki o te Ao for the success of their single ‘Woke Up Late’, which went double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and has more than 70 million streams on Spotify to date.

Check out all the details on the big night here: https://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/celebrating-the-best-of-kiwi-music-at-the-54th-vodafone-new-zealand-music-awards-nga-tohu-puoro-o-aotearoa/

Coastella 2019 - Southwards Car Museum, 23rd February 2019

CW Stoneking - Photo by Tim Gruar

Hey, Hey Groovers.  Coastella Music Festival 2019 – Kapiti Coast Boutique Music Festival celebrates summer in style with huge crowds from around the country and the cream of music, food , drink and culture!

The Beths - Photo by Tim Gruar

Clear skies and a bumper line up brought out colourful crowds for Coastella this Saturday 23rd February on the Kapiti Coast. Over 3,000 people attended Saturday’s event, which featured music from 10 local and international acts. Now in its 4th year, the boutique festival has grown to attract audiences from the greater Wellington region, as well as attendees from Auckland thanks in part to Air Chathams’ new Auckland to Kapiti route.

Warren Maxwell, Trinity Roots - Photo by Tim Gruar

Mama Kin & Supertonic - photo by Tim Gruar

Festival goers young and old flooded the grounds of Southward Car Museum, and were welcomed with a Whakatau, led by local kaumatua Manu Parata and Mahutonga Blankensop. Everyone gathered around the lush natural amphitheatre, relaxing on the grass and settling in.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Auckland blues-rock band The Miltones kicked off the music for the day on the Coastin’ Dell Stage, playing an energetic and captivating set. After that, soaring melodies drew crowds over to the Amphitheatre stage, with Australian duo Mama Kin Spender performing with Wellington choir Supertonic in a special collaboration. The 24 voices filled the grounds, capturing everyone’s attention with their tight harmonies. Mama Kin Spender frontwoman Danielle Caruana closed the set with a warm message, saying “You want to be punk? You want to be rebellious? Go out there and show your love.” Later in the day Australian jungle-rock blues artist C.W. Stoneking wowed audiences with a simple solo set on the Coastin’ Dell Stage, surrounded by native bush and buzzing cicadas.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Photo by Tim Gruar

Auckland’s The Beths had a sizable crowd on the Amphitheatre stage, thanks to their swift rise in popularity since the release of their debut album in 2018. Aotearoa’s finest emerging bands Ha The Unclear performed on the ‘Coastin Dell Stage, and Dunedin indie-rock band Soaked Oats played the closing set on the stage for the night. As the sun began to set Trinity Roots took to the Amphitheatre and delivered a heartfelt one hour set laiden with the liquid basslines and smooth harmonies that they’ve become renowned for over their 20 year career. The night ended with a whole lot of brass, with Brisbane based Bullhorn closing the Amphitheatre stage, followed by the Richter City Rebels kicking off the after party in the Amphitheatre.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Punters were treated to a huge selection of locally made food and drink, all hand-picked by Visa Wellington on a Plate. All dietary requirements were catered for with plenty of vegan and gluten-free food on offer. Craft beers were flowing at the Tuatara bars, with plenty of other locally produced drinks on offer. Those after a drink or bite to each were served quickly and efficiently, thanks to the efficient cashless AWOP system.

CW Stoneking - Photo by Tim Gruar

Ha The Unclear - Photo by Tim Gruar

The Havana Funzone was back this year, providing a safe and welcoming space for the wee ones. There were circus performances, juggling workshops, bouncy castles and face painting. Tinytown, arguably the world’s tiniest stage was back this year, with over 16 performers from all over the world squeezing in to perform for a few lucky audience members.

Photo by Tim Gruar

Punters were all smiles, whether they were dancing up the front, lying on the grass or strolling through the festival grounds. Once again Coastella brought premiere music and culture to the stunning Kapiti Coast, allowing Wellingtonians to escape the city for the day and treating locals to the cream of local and international music.

Bullhorn - Photo by Tim Gruar