05/05/2003 10:57 AM Murray Cammick
That Was Fun.
The new look Tuis had loads of laughs with classy hosts Lucy Lawless and Oliver Driver giving the event great continuity. Most
of the music went off and the evening was not the farce it has been in the past. I consider awards shows to be, at best, a
necessary evil, but if you are going to do an awards show, do it well. This year it was done very well.
It is a pity that the televising of the show did not get funded by NZ On Air this year, as for the first time in a decade the Tuis was
an event worthy of showing to the wider public. Changes had to be made from last year where important guests were herded
around as though they were a rent a mob TV audience, parents were excluded from the venue (by TV crew) as their daughter
received an award and Government Ministers once in the venue, did not have a seat or a drink whilst standing through the filming
of a TV show.
This year was a lot more professional and fortunately the Datsuns were flown across the Tasman from their Aussie tour (in
town for 13 hours) as they cleaned up, winning four awards, Best Group, Best Album, Breakthrough Artist and Outstanding
International Achievement. Bic Runga got three awards with Best Solo Artist, Best Female Vocalist and Highest Selling NZ
Album. Goodshirt also scored multiple award status with Songwriter of the Year and Best Single for Sophie. For a full list of
winners see the end of this column. ...
...I had to leave my third from the front row spot as someone foolishly had given me a beer and so I had to go to the loo. I did
not leave my seat because Mahinarangi Tocker kept whispering one-liners such as, "How come you are not as tall as him, he's
white".
Anyway I found the foyer, and as I traversed the carpet I had a choice between Disabled and Men. I wisely thought, "Men now,
Disabled later".
At the time I had had just enough to think this was very funny. So as I was departing the loo Rodney from Sony arrived and I
joked I thought he would use the disabled loo. I was then suddenly face-to-face with Paul Ellis hobbling with a walking stick
thinking my distasteful remark was aimed at him. No, I meant Rodney. Minutes later I learnt he had not taken up skateboarding
but had fallen down a hole in the street and broken his leg in two places. He was unable to describe the nature of the hole to this
nosey journalist. He was obviously preoccupied with his broken leg at the time.
Now best acceptance speeches. Best Rhyme went to the Mana Maori Tui winner, Dean Hapeta of Upper Hutt Posse with,
"George Bush is the clown that needs to go down".
Best manners go to Mana Reo pioneer and Tui winner, Ngahiwi Apanui who managed to thank the much maligned Maori
Broadcasting funding agency, Te Mangai Paaho and Trevor with the simple line, "They do some things right". Not a sentiment
you will find in the Sunday Star Times.
The Special Award for contribution to the Music Industry went to the late Dylan Taite. His award was accepted by his twin
sons. In a taped tribute Anita McNaught descibed Dylan's role in the newsroom as "so subversive and so inspirational". This
quote aptly describes Dylan's role in the music industry as a pioneering, influential music journalist, whose contribution continues
in the work of younger TV journalists, inspired by his wacky ways.
I am not a big fan of the concept of a Music Awards but the reality of the process is that it is largely about hit records. I thought
it was a bit silly that Goldenhorse and Rhombus performed new songs live, rather than their radio hits that got them the
recognition to be on the awards stage. They could have rocked the house. The do should be a celebration of the year in music,
not a marketing exercise.
Other weird quotes.
"Even pop stars have brains". Erika Takacs
"The fucking choice Anika Moa". Lucy Lawless introduces Anika.
"The premature ale". Oliver Driver acknowleges his sample of the sponsor's product is a little too keen to come out of the bottle.
"I am going to whip you into hair and makeup". Backstage assistant to RIANZ President Michael Glading.
"Standards of New Zealand music get higher and higher each year". Erika Takacs
"We would like to thank Leo Sayer". Rodney, Goodshirt.
