NZ’s most prestigious songwriter award to be televised for the first time

Image: Alt-country performer and finalist Tami Neilson

This month’s Silver Scroll Awards will be televised for the first time in its 51-year history. APRA AMCOS, which organises New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriter award, has struck a deal with media group Radio New Zealand, which will broadcast it through its Freeview Channel 50.

Australians can live video stream it through RNZ’s newly updated website http://www.radionz.co.nz/music.

The awards are held on Thursday September 29 at Auckland’s Vector Arena with RNZ Checkpoint host John Campbell as MC.

As reported in TMN previously, the top five finalists are Tami Neilson with The First Man, co-written with her brother Jay Neilson; The Phoenix Foundation with Give Up Your Dreams; Lydia Cole with Dream; Thomas Oliver with If I Move To Mars; and Street Chant with Pedestrian Support League.

“We are really excited to share the APRA Silver Scroll Awards with a wider audience. RNZ share our love of music and our respect for those that make it,” says Anthony Healey, Head of NZ Operations for APRA AMCOS. “They are a perfect partner for this wonderful event.”

On the night, a host of Kiwi artists will cover each of the songs in unique performances – a part of the show that’s become a highlight of the annual awards.