Play live stream Live stream

R1 BLOG

Blog

The Aotearoa Alternative Awards are Returning for 2026!

The Student Radio Network in association with Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air is over the moon to announce that the Aotearoa Alternative Awards are returning for 2026!The live ceremony will take place on Saturday 14 November at The Hollywood Avondale in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

The Student Radio Network (SRN) has long been the backbone of contemporary, independent music communities in Aotearoa through their passionate work uplifting, discovering and platforming local artists. It is made up of all five student radio stations across the motu, including 95bFM (Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland), Radio Control 99.4FM (Te Papaioea, Palmerston North), RadioActive 88.6FM (Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington), RDU 98.5FM (Ōtautahi, Christchurch), and Radio One 91FM (Ōtepoti, Dunedin).

The Aotearoa Alternative Awards are the SRN’s chance to celebrate the incredible artistry of local musicians as well as the amazing work by their dedicated volunteers. All whose accomplishments keep independent music and culture alive in this long white cloud we all call home.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by 95bFM. General Manager Tom Tremewan says, “It’s an immense privilege for 95bFM to be hosting this year’s Aotearoa Alternative Awards (AAA) in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, and to play host in one of the city’s most iconic and historic venues; The Hollywood Avondale.

We are looking forward to welcoming our friends, colleagues, and industry partners from around the motu to our beautiful city, and for us all to join together and celebrate Aotearoa’s incredible musicians and the amazing music they make, which the SRN proudly platforms and broadcasts each and every day.

The AAA’s are for the artists, musicians, broadcasters and volunteers who are the lifeblood of the SRN, so I am excited to be able to recognise and honour the amazing mahi of all of our legendary volunteers, because without their endless passion, dedication, and hard work, none of this would be possible.”

The ceremony kicks off at 7pm on Saturday 14 November and will be streamed LIVE at srn.nz, as well as simulcast across all five SRN station FM frequencies throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.

During the evening, the Student Radio Network will announce the winners of the following TEN National Awards:

Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Speight’s
Favourite Compilation brought to you by Speight’s

Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā SAE Creative Media Institute
Favourite Solo Act brought to you by SAE Creative Media Institute

Te Rōpū Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Tuning Fork & San Fran
Favourite Group brought to you by The Tuning Fork & San Fran

Te Tōtahi Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Sublime Studio
Favourite Single brought to you by Sublime Studio

Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Recorded Music NZ
Favourite EP brought to you by Recorded Music NZ

Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā APRA AMCOS Aotearoa
Favourite Album brought to you by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa

Te Whiringa Toa 2026 ki a Te Pou Hononga i kawea mai ki a koutou nā AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata
The 2026 SRN Top 10 brought to you by AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata

Te Tohu Puoro o te Reo Māori i kawea mai ki a koutou nā MĀORI+
Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori brought to you by MĀORI+

He Tohu Kahurangi i kawea mai ki a koutou nā New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa
Outstanding Achievement Award brought to you by the New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa

Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata i kawea mai ki a koutou nā
People’s Choice Award brought to you by Bigpop

AOTEAROA ALTERNATIVE AWARDS 2026
7PM, Saturday 14 November
Hosted by 95bFM in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Live streaming on srn.nz – Simulcast across all SRN stations

Check out all things Student Radio Network below:
Facebook
Instagram
Website

GIG REVIEW: AW at The Crown Hotel (March 21st, 2026)

Friday 27th March 2026 | Louie Sidoruk | Contributor | r1@r1.co.nz

Now this was my first live Dunedin gig (lakehouse doesn’t count), so going in I was fizzing. And as I should’ve been, because I was about to have any and all expectations exceeded. The opening acts themselves were good enough to show up solely for them. The first band was fronted by Liam of Night Lunch. Despite being loosely established and without a name, they displayed amazing natural chemistry and raw power in the forms of shoegaze/post rock sound. Maxine Funke, and her accompanying guitarist and percussionist, performed these soothing, warm vocals that felt slow and methodical, but never boring or dragging. I don’t think I'll ever forget the tonal whiplash that I felt from the change in genre and atmosphere of the improv DJ duo Murdabike (kickass name). The ever-evolving house/ big beat “choon” that kept on building on top of itself flowed so seamlessly that I only realised the song had completely shifted from minutes ago once I stopped grooving to think. 

I must shamefully admit I had never heard of local legend Andrew Wilson or Ōtepoti’s own Die! Die! Die!, but perhaps I should’ve before I shook his hand, said “Hi”, and complimented his shirt, all without recognising him (fuck). Regardless, I DEFINITELY know who he is now, and consider me a follower. Sign me up for the fan club, give me a shirt, and I’ll wear it until it smells like the front row crowd of Murdabike. While AW’s ‘THE NERVE’ is definitely a more Lo-Fi, noise-pop sort of direction on streaming services (go listen), it’s a whole different beast live. Wilson brings so much energy to the performance, jumping off stage and interacting with the crowd (cheers uncle). And the Lo-Fi sound turns into a wall of beautiful punchy noise that you could just never recreate on your headphones. To experience this band for the first time, and live even, does feel like a privilege. You just can’t wait for next time.

Favourite Track:  THIEF OF JOY

AW at The Crown Hotel.Credit: Ethan Montañer

AW at The Crown Hotel.Credit: Ethan Montañer