Gig Guide
The Southland Musicians Club proudly presents the ILT Southland Music Awards Show 2025.
Tickets are now on sale for Southland’s premier celebration of music and entertainment, which is set to return in October – bigger than ever before.
Formerly known as the Southland Entertainment Awards, this event merges with the Southland Music Hall of Fame, bringing together two of the region’s most significant celebrations in one unforgettable evening, showcasing the very best of Southland’s talent – past and present.
The ILT Southland Music Awards Show will take place on Saturday, 18 October 2025, at ILT Stadium Southland.
The show will feature live performances by SBS Bank Southland Music Hall of Fame inductees Rima Barlow, Leon McElhinney, and Michelle Lange, as well as the Southland Musicians Club Southland Entertainer of the Year finalists – Khellsey-Anna Atley, Brendon Fairbairn, Lachie Hayes, Devin Ledington, Maia Pareiha-Fletcher, and Simon Thompson.
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Guests will be able to vote for their favourite Entertainer of the Year finalist, with audience votes counted alongside the three judges to determine this year’s winner.
In addition, the Southland Music Award winners in all categories will be announced on the night. The finalists are:
- Jason Taylor Vehicle Sales Guitarist of the Year: Michael Crook, Shaydon Diack, Leon Wilks
- Amplify Coffee Bass Player of the Year: Rima Barlow, Chris Chilton, Leon McElhinney, Brad Smart
- Team Hanna, James and Bridget at Ray White Real Estate Drummer of the Year: Roger Chilton, Daniel Harrison, Jacob Hewton
- Kennedy School of Music Keyboards Player of the Year: Marcus Crowe, David Glass, Daniel Monteath
- La Muse Special Achievement Award: Steven Page (Give Way – The Musical)
- Selector Uniforms Southland Music Ambassador: Darren Matthiasen (Shapeshifter, Kora, Deva Mahal, Hollie Smith)
- Gig Guide Invercargill Band of the Year: Khellsey-Anna band, Theorem, Hitmen
- Windsor Motors Honda Album of the Year: Khellsey-Anna (No One Else Gets It), Brenny and the Bushwhackers (The Land of the Rolling R), Lachie Hayes (Subsatellite)
- Southland Musicians Club Frank Prattley Award: Lachlan McGregor
- Malloch McClean Invercargill Vocalist of the Year: Khellsey-Anna Atley, Saelyn Guyton, Devin Ledington
- Southland Musicians Club Southland Entertainer of the Year: Khellsey-Anna Atley, Brendon Fairbairn, Lachie Hayes, Devin Ledington, Maia Pareiha-Fletcher, Simon Thompson
- SBS Bank Southland Music Hall of Fame inductees: Rima Barlow, Michelle Lange, Leon McElhinney
Local Involvement
whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford says it’s exciting to be involved with the awards again, highlighting the incredible talent Southland has to offer.
“We have an incredible bunch of talent here in our city. If you want a night out, this is it – get your tickets and support Southland’s music scene,” Sanford said.
He added that their sister brand, Gig Guide Invercargill, is proud to sponsor the Band of the Year category.
“Good luck to the finalists – Khellsey-Anna band, Theorem, and Hitmen.”
🎟️ Tickets are available now via the ILT Stadium Southland website:
stadiumsouth.flicket.co.nz
