The Aotearoa Music Awards received backlash on social media this week after announcing their first five – all-male – performers.
Host network TVNZ made the announcement on social media, posting the following to Instagram:
“The biggest night in Aotearoa music is BACK for 2021!” the post read. “This year’s ceremony will feature performances by these incredible artists!” it continued, listing Harper Finn, Teeks, Troy Kingi, three-piece act Team Dynamite and five-piece band L.A.B.
The post was met with outrage from fans. “LOL! Let’s hear it for (from) the boys I guess,” one wrote. “Disappointing that there’s not even one female artist,” wrote another.
Instagram account @beneaththeglassceilingnz, which is part of an international network championing the rights of women in the music industry, also noticed the glaring omission.
“Kia ora @tvnz.official and @aotearoamusicawards,” they wrote. “We’re extremely disappointed to see an all-male lineup representing Aotearoa music. Very tone deaf.”
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AMA has now released a statement to Beneath the Glass Ceiling NZ, explaining the nominations. “It’s unfortunate the TVNZ post didn’t mention the performances of the incredible Te Nūtube and Goldsmith Baynes at the upcoming 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards,” Sarah Owen, Kaiwhakahaere o Ngā Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa (AMA), said.
“There is no denying the gender disparity of finalists and performers this year. It reflects the gender disparity in the nominations we received. There wasn’t equal gender representation, and at its core is the historic and current inequities in not only our music industry but society as a whole. Recorded Music NZ know there is a lot that needs to be done.
We will continue to work internally and alongside artists to find better ways to empower women and minority groups in our hapori puoro. If you’re looking at the AMA finalists and performers this year and don’t feel you’re represented, please know the Aotearoa Music Awards needs and wants you on our stage.”
The Aotearoa Music Awards will be held on Friday, December 17th, hosted by Hayley Sproull and Stan Walker.
