Pictures: Michelle Hyslop, Emma Cooper/Stijl
The 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards were an emotional night for Stan Walker, whose father Ross had died just days earlier. “I want to dedicate this to my pāpā,” he said upon accepting an Impact Award on stage in Auckland. “We’re here to bring joy to people regardless of what’s happening in our lives… We can be amazing because of who we come from and where we come from.”
Speaking to Woman’s Day just afterwards, Stan, 33, said of his win, “I still haven’t processed it. I feel very humbled and I’m in shock.” He also confessed his life has become rather hectic since welcoming his third child recently, saying, “It’s next level. Two kids was a lot, but with three? We have our moments. It’s not so much the baby, but the second one is a hurricane – she’s like five kids in one!”
Also accepting an Impact Award for her influence on the local and global music scenes was Kaylee Bell, who took out Best Country Artist too. “I feel drunk even though I haven’t touched a drop!” the singer, 34, told us after her wins. “It’s adrenaline for performing and being around my favourite humans. I’m absolutely buzzing!”
Of the recent country music renaissance, she says, “It’s something I’ve dreamed of for so long and to be living it is very powerful.” Having recently moved to Nashville, Kaylee tells, “I have so many weird things I sneak back from New Zealand, like tomato sauce, Vegemite and paper towels – the ones in the States are really small, thin and pathetic, and I use a lot of paper towels!”
See our favourite pictures from the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards below
Stan Walker and wife Lou
The award winner admits his tamariki haven’t inherited his musical talents: “My two eldest kids are tone deaf!”
Aaradhna and Georgia Lines
Aaradhna picked up Best Soul/R&B Artist and Georgia was named Best Pop Artist.
Foley
Best Pop Artist nominees Foley, aka Gabriel Everett and Ash Wallace, got So Personal on the red carpet.
Dame Hinewehi Mohi
Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, Dame Hinewehi Mohi brought the house down with her hit Kotahitanga.
Hollie Smith
Kaylee Bell
“I’ve always wanted country music to get the same coverage as other genres,” says Kaylee. “I’ve been fighting the good fight for so long – now I need a rest!”
Kaylee took out two awards.
Te Rauhiringa Brown
Marlon Williams
Marlon was “shellshocked” to win Best Solo Artist: “I was waiting for someone else’s name to be called!”
Coterie
Cool It Down hitmakers Coterie won Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
MC Tali
