RIANZ adds new Critics’ Choice Prize to Music Awards season

Developed to form part of the annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards celebrations, the Critics’ Choice Prize recognises an artist that a panel of 13 critics believe is on track to become a Kiwi music success story.

RIANZ chief executive Campbell Smith says the Prize is all about recognising musicians who are on the rise and providing some profile and assistance to help them further on their way.

Smith says that to be eligible, an artist must not yet have released an album, and not been a finalist at any stage for any Vodafone New Zealand Music Award.

“We want to recognise early and encourage the next generation of Tui winners. We have a great panel of highly respected critics from across the media and I am confident they have some great Kiwi talent in their sights.

“This is our chance to recognise those artists who are out there gigging and recording demos, just getting going, who will soon be a fixture on our music players and in the charts.”

The Critics’ Choice prize will also provide tangible support for the winner. The winning artist receives recording time at York Street Studios, $5,000 worth of equipment from NZ Rockshop and mentoring from Dave McLaughlin from McLaughlin Law, Lydia Parsons from Entertainment Accounting, touring guru Brent Eccles and various members of the Music Managers Forum.

The Prize will be presented by Gravity Coffee. Chris Brown, Gravity marketing manager, says: “We are really proud to be supporting and presenting the Critics’ Choice Prize. There are so many amazingly talented musicians out there working hard, doing their thing, and it’s great that we can acknowledge these artists through this Prize and Showcase.”

A shortlist of three artists will be announced at the VNZMA Finalists Announcement and Technical Awards presentation in Auckland on Wednesday 1 September.  Those artists will take to the stage at the Kings Arms for a special showcase on September 15, and the winner of the Critics’ Choice Prize will be announced that night.

There will be limited door sales to the Gravity Coffee Critics’ Choice Showcase available at the venue on the night.