The 2021 MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards will be held from Friday 4 June – Sunday June 6th 2021 following a week of country music celebrations, including the NZ Country Music Awards, MLT Songwriting Awards, various concerts & busking competitions, all of which are now under the umbrella of Tussock Country-New Zealand’s Country Music Festival
Every year for the last 46 years Gore has hosted the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards. This event attracts artists from around the world and continues to grow in stature and popularity.
Audience levels reach over 5,000 and the entries in all sections and events total 700 competitors. Visitors to Gore leave with fond memories of the ‘Southern Hospitality’ and along with the locals, just soak up the Country Music atmosphere.
The festival begins with a walk up concert at the Gore Country Music Club Rooms Longford Function Center then continues with the Songwriting and the NZ Country Music Awards for the RIANZ Best Country Album and APRA Best Country Song finals.
The MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards are held annually on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Queen’s Birthday Weekend. On Friday, Saturday auditions are held in three venues starting at approximately 8.15am. At the auditions judges choose finalists in the various sections. The Junior and Intermediate finals are held on Saturday night and the senior final night is Sunday night. The 40 Plus and 60 Plus finals are held in the stadium on Sunday with the Professional Artists Showcase concert on mid Sunday afternoon. Contestants may enter as an individual, in a duet and/or as part of a group.
Contestants compete in either the junior, intermediate, senior or 40 Plus and 60 Plus sections, depending on their age. There are a variety of sections, including male and female solo, gospel, traditional, new country, country rock, duet, vocal group, NZ Song and instrumental. High quality bands provide backing for contestants.
The events below are confirmed for the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards 2021
Programme
Gore Country Music Queen Gala Crowning
Where: Jessie’s Rooms – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Sunday May 30, 2021 – 6.30pm
Tickets: $25pp + booking fee. Available February 5 2021
Entries open: Friday January 22, 2021
Entries close: Friday April 9, 2021 – 5pm
More information: www.facebook.com/gorecountrymusicqueen/
The crowning of a Gore Country Music Queen is an enduring tradition that stretches back 40 years.
That makes 2021’s event an extra special celebration.
This will be a fabulous night of celebration. As well as the festivities that go with crowning a new country music queen winner and runner-up, there’s fantastic country music to be enjoyed and a guest speaker.
Tamworth’s Country Music Queen is a special guest at the event. Together with Gore’s newly crowned Country Music Queen she judges the ‘Freeze Ya Bits off Busking’ event and the pair attend many NZ Country Music Festival events.
The Gore Country Music Queen in turn attends Tamworth’s Country Music Festival.
Come and join us for a night of fun and celebration.
Download entry criteria
Golden Oldies
Where: Jessie’s Rooms – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Monday May 31, 2021 – 1.30pm
Door sales: Gold coin entry
This is a wonderful concert of local artists. Every year it’s packed out by our seniors community. Come early to get a seat and look forward to a nice afternoon tea after the concert. Take part in a raffle or two. This relaxing, homely concert is great entertainment.
Open Mic Afternoon
Where: Jessie’s Rooms – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Tuesday June 1, 2021 – 1.30pm
Door sales: Gold coin entry
Want to warm up your vocal chords? Join in our Open Mic session. It’s simple – put your name on our black board and perform. The Open Mic session is a great afternoon of talent to enjoy. So, come along and strut your stuff. A cash bar is available, and you can dabble in a raffle or two. In true Southland style, everyone is welcome.
Walk-Up Evening Concert
Where: Jessie’s Rooms – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Tuesday June 1, 2021 – 7pm
Door sales:
- Members $5
- Non-members $10
- Children free – 17 years and under
- Door sales only. Includes supper
Join in the fun! Put your name on the blackboard and wait your turn to perform your favourite song or instrument, or come along for a listen. It’s as simple as that, at this informal walk-up concert. A full band is available, ready to back anyone who wants to take part in this lively, engaging evening. Please bring 4 copies of chord charts if you are performing with the band.
This event includes a tree-planting ceremony acknowledging Gore’s sister city relations with Tamworth in Australia.
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards- Friday Auditions
Where: Gore Town & Country Club/ Gore RSA/ Gore Baptist Church
When: Friday June 4, 2021 – 8am – 5pm
Door sales:
- Auditions, Friday June 4, 2021 – Adults $12 and Seniors $8
- Three Day Audition Pass – Adults $42 and Seniors $30
- Children under the age of 17 are free for auditions.
Come along to one of our three venues and watch many of our auditions. Whether you are supporting family, friends or just wanting to be entertained, there is certainly something for everyone. See if you can pick the finalists like our judges do. So much talent on show.
MLT Music Round-Up
Where: Heartland Hotel Croydon/ Traffers Bar/ Longford Tavern/ Falls Hotel, Mataura/ The Thomas Green/ Howl at the Moon
When: Friday June 4, 2021 – 7pm onwards
Cost: Free entry
Mataura Licensing Trust bars and restaurants open their doors to lovers of country music on Friday June 4, 2021. Pick your favourite band or venue and settle in for the night. Or venue hop and catch them all.
You choose! There is no cover charge for these events.
Heartland Hotel Croydon, Gore
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
Traffers Bar, 18 Hokonui Drive, Gore
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
Longford Tavern- Downstairs Bar, 29 Hamilton St, East Gore
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
Falls Hotel, 115 Main St, Mataura
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
The Thomas Green- Public House and Dining Room, Main St, Gore
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
Howl at the Moon Restaurant and Bar, Main St, Gore
Artists: TBC
Time: TBC
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards- Saturday Auditions
Where: Gore Town & Country Club/ Gore RSA/ Gore Baptist Church
When: Saturday June 5, 2021 – 8am onwards
Door Sales:
- Auditions, Saturday June 5, 2021 – Adults $12 and Seniors $8
- Three Day Audition Pass – Adults $42 and Seniors $30
- Children under the age of 17 are free for auditions.
Come along to one of our three venues and watch many of our auditions. Whether you are supporting family, friends or just wanting to be entertained, there is certainly something for everyone. See if you can pick the finalists like our judges do. So much talent on show.
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Junior & Intermediate Finals
Where: Gore Town & Country Club, Bury St, Gore
When: Saturday June 5, 2021 – 6.30pm
Tickets on sale: Friday February 5, 2021
- Adults $38 + booking fee
- Child (17 years and under) $10 + booking fee
Come and watch the budding talent of NZ country music on display. This is their time to shine in the Grand Junior and Intermediate finals. The ability and skill of these young participants will blow you away.
MLT Showcase & Hands of Fame
Where: Gore Town & Country Stadium, Bury Street, Gore
When: Sunday June 6, 2021 – 3pm – 5pm
Door sales:
- Adults $18,
- Seniors $14 (which includes all events)
40+ and 60+ Finals
This is a wonderful show case of the depth of talent in country music, with some of our seasoned and polished competitors performing in their categories.
MLT SHOWCASE
This event is a variety concert featuring a range of artists that have traveled to Gore to participate in the festival.
The MLT NZ Gold Guitar Award senior sections auditions ticket covers entry to this event.
HANDS OF FAME
This is tribute to honour people who have made a significant contribution to New Zealand Country Music. The Hands of Fame monument was established by the Gore Country Music Club in 1992.
Over the years many wonderful artists have been honoured, with a handprint cast in concrete at the Hands of Fame site, including: Kenny Rogers, Slim Dusty, Patsy Rigger, Garner Wayne, Suzanne Prentice, Ricky Skaggs and Jade Hurley to name but a few.
This year the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards is inducting Paddy Long.
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards -Senior Finals
Where: Gore Town & Country Stadium, Bury Street, Gore
When: Sunday June 6, 2021 – 7pm
Tickets on sale: Friday February 5, 2021
- Adults $45 + booking fee
- Child (17 years and under) $10 + booking fee
The culmination of our weekend. The senior finals, this is where we get to see the biggest and brightest New Zealand has to offer, strut their stuff. An incredible show piece full of country talent.