Live at The Civic
28 May 2026
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
The stars aligned over Auckland's historic Civic Theatre on Thursday night as the Aotearoa Music Awards returned for another celebration of New Zealand's finest musical talent. For one evening, the grand old venue, famously chosen by filmmaker Peter Jackson to unveil the climactic scenes from King Kong, became the epicentre of New Zealand music.
Before a single note rang out from the stage, the atmosphere was electric.
The pre-show drinks reception felt less like an industry gathering and more like a family reunion of New Zealand music royalty. Artists, managers, promoters, journalists, radio personalities and industry power players exchanged hugs, stories and predictions about who might be taking home the coveted Tūī trophies later that evening. Amid the familiar faces were several international guests, highlighting just how far New Zealand music continues to reach beyond our shores.
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled into The Civic's ornate surroundings, the celebration of Aotearoa's musical landscape began.
Te Wehi & Hori Shaw Open the Night
The honour of opening the ceremony fell to East Coast sensation Te Wehi and collaborator Hori Shaw. Their blend of reggae, soul and contemporary Māori storytelling instantly connected with the audience. It was a confident performance that showcased exactly why Te Wehi has become one of the country's fastest-rising stars. Their chemistry was undeniable and set the perfect tone for the evening.
Tom Scott Delivers the First Laugh
Never one to miss an opportunity for humour, Tom Scott stepped onto the stage and welcomed everyone to "the annual Marlon Awards," a playful reference to the dominance that Marlon Williams would later enjoy throughout the night.
The joke landed perfectly.
As it turned out, Scott wasn't entirely wrong.
Dick Move Bring Punk Chaos to The Civic
If anyone thought an awards ceremony might be too polished, Dick Move quickly changed that perception.
The punk-rock outfit exploded onto the stage with all the subtlety of a Molotov cocktail. Their performance of Scared Old Men was loud, abrasive, energetic and impossible to ignore. The band delivered one of the night's most visceral performances, proving once again that punk remains alive and well in Aotearoa.
MĀ Continues Her Meteoric Rise
Alternative artist MĀ has only been on the radar for a relatively short time, but judging by her impact at the awards, she's here to stay.
Performing material from her acclaimed album Blame It On The Weather, she demonstrated exactly why she took home the Best Alternative Artist Tūī. Her artistic vision is distinctive, her performance style captivating, and if there was an award for best publicity team, they would likely be walking away with a trophy too.
Alien Weaponry Shake the Foundations
Every awards show needs a moment that rattles the room.
Alien Weaponry provided it.
The internationally acclaimed metal trio unleashed their trademark fusion of heavy metal and te reo Māori, transforming the elegant Civic Theatre into something resembling a festival mosh pit. Their performance was thunderous, commanding and utterly authentic.
Few New Zealand bands have carried Māori culture to global audiences as successfully as Alien Weaponry, and on this evidence, their momentum shows no signs of slowing.
A Moving Tribute to Dame Jools Topp
One of the evening's most emotional moments arrived during the In Memoriam segment.
Jordyn with a Why and Hope delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Dame Jools Topp, whose passing earlier in the week sent shockwaves through the New Zealand music community.
The performance was understated yet deeply moving, reminding everyone in attendance of the enormous contribution the Topp Twins have made to New Zealand culture.
Tami Neilson's Masterclass
There are great singers.
Then there's Tami Neilson.
The country queen delivered another flawless performance, combining power, elegance and charisma in equal measure. Her rendition of King of Country Music, featuring a respectful nod to the Topp Twins classic Untouchable Girls, was one of the evening's standout moments.
Neilson's eighth Best Country Music Artist Tūī further cemented her position as one of the country's most consistently brilliant performers.
RIIKI REID Steals the Show
Then came the performance everyone would be talking about afterwards.
The music began.
The dancers emerged.
But there was no sign of RIIKI REID.
As the audience searched the stage, her unmistakable voice suddenly rang through The Civic. Moments later, she appeared stage left, accompanied by a troupe of dancers, weaving through the front rows before ascending to the stage.
What followed was a genuine star-making performance.
The choreography was polished, the vocals powerful, and the confidence undeniable. New Zealand artists rarely combine live singing and dance routines at this level, yet RIIKI REID made it look effortless.
Watching her command the room, comparisons to Christina Aguilera and Madonna didn't seem exaggerated.
They felt inevitable.
With Over Romantic already dominating radio and streaming platforms, RIIKI REID looks less like an emerging talent and more like New Zealand's next international breakthrough.
Che Fu Reminds Everyone Why He's a Legend
The evening reached its emotional and celebratory peak when Che Fu was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Few artists have shaped modern New Zealand music more profoundly.
From his pioneering work with Supergroove through to a solo career that helped define New Zealand hip-hop and soul, Che Fu's influence spans generations.
Closing the night with a medley of his greatest hits alongside The Kratez, he demonstrated exactly why his music has endured for decades. His vocals remain effortlessly smooth, his stage presence magnetic, and that unmistakable Che Fu tone instantly transported the audience through three decades of New Zealand music history.
It was a fitting finale.
The Year of Marlon Williams
If the night belonged to one artist, it was unquestionably Marlon Williams.
Winning Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Best Solo Artist, Williams completed a remarkable clean sweep that confirmed his place among New Zealand's most important contemporary artists.
His album Te Whare Tīwekaweka has already been recognised with the Taite Music Prize and continues to earn widespread critical acclaim. Thursday night's awards merely reinforced what many already knew: Marlon Williams is operating at an extraordinary creative peak.
A Night That Celebrated the Past, Present and Future
The 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards successfully balanced celebration, remembrance and anticipation.
Veterans such as Che Fu, Tami Neilson and Fat Freddy's Drop reminded us of the foundations upon which New Zealand music has been built. Established stars including Marlon Williams, Lorde and The Beths continued to push boundaries. Meanwhile artists such as Te Wehi, MĀ, Borderline and RIIKI REID offered an exciting glimpse into the future.
As the final applause echoed through The Civic and the industry slowly spilled into Auckland's night air, one thing was clear.
New Zealand music has never sounded healthier.
And if the performances witnessed on this stage are any indication, its future may be even brighter than its past.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
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