Supersonic year for Kiwi music

There was no shortage of New Zealand talent on display in 2008

While New Zealand's more established musicians were prevalent at the Vodafone NZ Music Awards, comedy duo Flight of the Conchords got the most notable trophy haul of the night.

They were not in Auckland to collect them in person in October, but responded comically via a TV link to the United States, where the trophies mysteriously appeared before them.

Awards for breakthrough artist and international achievement were gratefully accepted, but there was probably a genuine element in the response from Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement to the best group and best album awards.

"We're barely a group - there's only two of us. Phoenix Foundation should have won this," McKenzie said.

"It's best album. I don't even agree with this one. That's not true, I'm not accepting that one," Clement said as the pair got their fourth gong for the night.

They missed out on Grammy Awards in September, but either way, their popularity in the US and back home certainly made them worthy of recognition within the entertainment industry.

While questions were raised as to whether the music industry was the right place to do this, the Conchords' awards were backed by strong sales in New Zealand of their debut, self- titled album. It stayed in the Recording Industry Association top 10 from May until September, including a stint at No 1.

Opshop were the other big winners, their album Second Hand Planet and radio-friendly hits like Maybe and One Day ensuring the band also got a four-trophy haul at the awards ceremony. The album spent most of January at the top of the charts and kept selling strongly for several months, winning the band the highest-selling album award.

It was not long ago that New Zealand albums were few and far between on local mainstream music charts, but 2008 was littered with them.

Top 10 showings came from bands and musicians as diverse as Shihad, the late Prince Tui Teka, Geoff Sewell, Ladi 6, Tiki Taane and Rob Guest, who died in October, aged 58.

One of New Zealand's most recognisable musicians - Dave Dobbyn - produced yet another album, Anotherland, which went to No 2, while rock institution Shihad went one better with Beautiful Machine.

The Feelers also proved the long- established were still popular, topping the charts with a collection of favourites from the past 10 years.

On the global front, New Zealand enjoyed visits from one international act after another, with Auckland's Vector Arena cementing itself as the world-class large indoor entertainment venue the city, and country, had been missing for so many years.

Elton John, the Foo Fighters, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Billy Joel, Kanye West and Kylie Minogue were just a few.

- NZPA