2018 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards finalists announced

  • 27/09/2018

The finalists for the 2018 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMAs) have been announced, with four acts tied for the most nominations.

Alien Weaponry, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Six60 and Drax Project are all up for four awards each at the big night on November 15.

Other artists with multiple nominations include Kimbra, Julia Deans, Marlon Williams, JessB, Sons of Zion, Tami Neilson, Robinson and Katchafire.

Lorde and Broods, who dominated the 2017 and 2016 VNZMAs respectively, aren't nominated this year as they haven't released any new music.

For the first time, all finalists are eligible for the People's Choice Award, which is set to open to the public soon.

The full list of main nominees is as follows:

Album of the Year
Alien Weaponry -
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 -
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

Other Tuis to be given out on the night include the 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 and International Achievement.

The ceremony will take place at Auckland's Spark Arena, and feature live performances from some of the nominees. Tickets to the general public are on sale now.

The 2018 VNZMAs will also be broadcast live on Three from 8:30pm.

Newshub.