Aotearoa Music Awards 2026: Biggest Snubs and Surprises Lots of excellent artists have been nominated for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, but there were also some surprising choices.

We’ve considered the biggest snubs and surprises in this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards nominations…

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Neil and Tim Finn Tell Us About Getting Split Enz Back Together Costume envy, spoons solos, “interesting pop songs,” being greeted by screaming girls — welcome to the wonderful world of Split Enz.

Fancy a 4k-word oral history of the one, the only Split Enz?

Of course you do.

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2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Finalists Revealed Geneva AM, Stan Walker, Tami Neilson, Dick Move, Ringlets, Phoebe Rings, and more are amongst this year's finalists.

The 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards finalists have been revealed.

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9lives and SXMPRA Tell Us About Cracking 1 Billion Streams 9lives and SXMPRA both have over 1 billion streams to their name. Their achievement should offer encouragement to other Aotearoa musicians.

So cool to hear that 9lives and SXMPRA, two Aotearoa musicians we've supported a lot at Rolling Stone, both just cracked the 1 billion streams mark.

I caught up with them to discuss their achievement and find out their advice to other young Kiwi artists.

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Courtney Barnett Announces New Zealand Album Tour Barnett previously announced an Australian tour last week, including a date at the iconic Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Hell yes: Courtney Barnett is bringing her new album to New Zealand

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Looking to chat with South Island musicians about the New Zealand music industry.

If that’s you, message me!

How does a DIY noise-rock duo from Dunedin end up touring 13 cities across China?

I chatted with two people involved in the life-changing trip — Liam Hoffman and Kristen Ng of Kiwese — to find out how it came to be.

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Peter McCall Tells Us About His New Fazed on a Pony Album The hard-working indie musician tells Conor Lochrie about the major life changes that led to 'swan', his chart-topping new Fazed on a Pony album.

Profiled one of Aotearoa’s most underrated indie musicians, Fazed on a Pony.

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Bic Runga Discusses 'Red Sunset', Album Tour and More Bic Runga tells Rolling Stone AU/NZ all about 'Red Sunset', her first album of all-original material in 15 years.

Interviewed the one the only Bic Runga about her new album ‘Red Sunset’.

We also chatted about how she still feels like an underground artist, the difficulties of being a woman in music, burnout back in her heyday, and much more.

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How Fear Drives Cult Folk Artist Adam McGrath McGrath is one of the speakers for the 'Feel The Fear' session at Aspiring Conversations 2026, a Wānaka-based festival.

Spoke with the local legend that is Adam McGrath about how fear drives his music.

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AW - The Nerve Album Tour - Tours at Undertheradar AW - The Nerve Album Tour - AW THE NERVE ALBUM TOUR. WITH SPECIAL GUESTS. ...

Die! Die! Die! frontman Andrew Wilson is touring THE NERVE, the superb debut album from his new post-punk project AW nationwide — starting tonight at Moon in Wgtn & this Saturday at Goblin in Akl!

Get tickets NOW via UTR 💥

Andrew Wilson Discusses Solo Music, Dunedin and Die! Die! Die! Andrew Wilson takes us through his storied career, from his early Dunedin days to touring the world with Die! Die! Die! and going solo.

Next up in our Dunedin series is an interview with Die! Die! Die! legend Andrew Wilson, aka AW.

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A Guide to Cult Folk Musician Maxine Funke in 10 Records Dunedin-based avant-garde musician Maxine Funke pens hushed stories of the mundane and magical moments in everyday life.

And another: @martynpepperell.bsky.social broke down the dense discography of wonderful folk musician Maxine Funke.

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Rolling Stone Deep Dive: The 3Ds, 'The Venus Trail' We take a closer look at the quintessential Dunedin album of its era, despite the 3ds containing three Auckland-bred musicians.

Legend on legend action at Rolling Stone today:

Gareth Shute went long on of the greatest indie rock albums, ‘The Venus Trail’ by the 3Ds.

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Ridiculously good!

Train on the Island, by Aldous Harding 10 track album

New Aldous Harding song goes so hard. Stop the count.

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2026 Taite Music Prize Finalists Revealed This year's ceremony will be held at the NZICC, and for the first time in its history, the event will be open to the public.

The Taite Music Prize finalists have been revealed:

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Electric Avenue 2026: Live Review The local acts on this year's Electric Avenue lineup, led by returning legends Split Enz, were the highlight of the weekend.

Our verdict on this year’s Electric Avenue…

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Iron Maiden Announce Australia Tour with Megadeth Iron Maiden are bringing their 'Run for Your Lives' world tour to Australia.

Iron Maiden and Megadeth are coming to Australia and New Zealand!

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In My Room with IVY Get ready to watch one of our most atmospheric In My Room sessions yet courtesy of IVY.

IVY are one of the most exciting young bands coming out of Dunedin.

Watch a wee clip of them at the link below!

#nzmusic #dunedin

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Inside Port Noise, Australasia's Best Little Music Festival Rolling Stone meets the co-founders of Lyttelton's beloved independent music festival Port Noise.

Port Noise is such a wonderful New Zealand music festival.

Before the fourth edition kicks off on Saturday, read all about the festival at the link below:

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Marlon Williams Announces Extended Touring Break Marlon Williams' final shows before his extended touring break will take place across Australia next month.

Marlon Williams is taking an extended break from touring. Details below:

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Vera Ellen is back.

The Taite Music Prize-winning singer-songwriter has announced her new album, 'Heaven Knows What Time', will be released on May 1st via Flying Nun Records.

Lead single 'Gayfever' is our Video of the Week!

As BENEE wraps her Laneway sideshows, here's another wee clip from our recent interview.

We chatted about her pop 'boot camp', touring with Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae and working with Lily Allen. Not bad company to keep!

Vera Ellen Announces New Album, Shares New Single 'Gayfever' Vera Ellen won the Taite Music Prize in 2024 for her previous album, 'Ideal Home Noise'.

Any day with new music from Vera Ellen is a good day.

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Why U-NO JUNO Are One of the Best New Bands in the Country A new live music series showcases the exciting promise of Dunedin's young noise-punk trio U-NO JUNO.

I’m so thrilled to introduce you to U-NO JUNO, one of the best new bands in New Zealand.

The young noise-punk trio have been one of the most exciting discoveries in our 'Scene Report' series on Dunedin.

Get to know them better below!

#dunedin #nzmusic

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Why U-NO JUNO Are One of the Best New Bands in the Country A new live music series showcases the exciting promise of Dunedin's young noise-punk trio U-NO JUNO.

Dunedin noise-punk trio U-NO JUNO might be the best new band in the country.

Please check them out: au.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

We're back!

After a brief hiatus, our special Scene Report on Dunedin restarts tomorrow with interviews, retrospectives, live sessions, and more.

In the meantime, here's a wee sneak peek at just a few of the amazing Ōtepoti artists we've got coming up.

#newzealand #dunedin #nzmusic

Album You Need to Know: Sivle Talk, 'Barely Standing — Live at Pioneer Hall' Dunedin 'one-man' post-punk band Sivle Talk recognise the importance of documenting their live shows.

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Vagina Dry Are Keeping Riot Grrrl Music Alive Vagina Dry were one of the most impressive bands at LOUD WOMEN Fest in Australia this year.

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