Emerging talent championed at this year’s Stand Up Stand Out finals

The Stand Up Stand Out finals on Saturday 14 September at Town Hall in Auckland, celebrated yet another year of epic young talent, with emerging artist(s) from all across Tāmaki Makaurau announced as this year’s winners.

Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is an Auckland Council initiative, in partnership with Auckland Live, Rockshop and Auckland UNESCO City of Music with support from the Pacific Music Awards, Serato and The Music Producers Guild. The programme provides an important pathway in development for rangatahi, which promotes song writing, dance performance excellence and a culture of music in schools throughout the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

Chair of the Community Committee, Councillor Angela Dalton says she was blown away by the talent at SUSO.

“Yet another year of incomparable young talent on the stage that left everyone speechless,” says Cr Dalton.

“Congratulations to the winners, who were very deserving of their award! To the talented runners-up for their efforts, dedication and passion. And to the SUSO team, for backing our tamariki, and allowing them a supportive and safe space to create and shine brighter year on year, enriching our region through arts and culture,” she says.

This year’s SUSO judges were Cherie Mathieson, Sam V, Mal Lakatani, Swap Gomez, Rina Chae, Indigo Sagala and Frank Booker. In their feedback, there was a common thread around the calibre of young talent coming through SUSO and how important it is to champion and open pathways for our rangatahi - the future leaders of the music and dance industries in Aotearoa.

Auckland Council Arts and Culture Programmer Gene Rivers says SUSO’s success is driven by the “heart” in the initiative, thanks to all those involved who so passionately embody the culture and the values entrenched in the programme.

“Our culture and values inform everything, from the way the programme operates, to the type of talent it attracts, to the way the competition is run. Over 1600 Tāmaki students participated this year, with a rise in participant numbers to complement the annual rise in talent levels,” says Gene.

“What sets SUSO apart from other youth competitions is its intentional efforts to integrate Māori and Pacific values into its core function. We are now starting to see the fruits, with an increasing impact in the Aotearoa Music scene. The significant presence of SUSO at the recent Pacific music awards demonstrates SUSO’s contribution to the future of our industry”.

Stand Up Stand Out is Auckland’s premiere music and dance competition and has been running for over 35 years. It features secondary school talent from across Tāmaki Makaurau. Representing over 46 secondary schools, 15 outstanding acts, many that have gone on to claim top industry honours in their genre, include group vocal, solo instrumental, solo vocal, dance, bands and a new category this year, SUSO electronic.

The prize pool this year, includes gear and vouchers from Rockshop, mentoring from industry professionals, studio sessions, and time with music producers to record a track.

The total pool of prizes is split between acts placing first and second in each of the five categories and the ‘Best Artist’ and ‘Best Original Composition’, as decided by the panel of judges.

The full list of winners and runners-up for Stand Up Stand Out 2024 are as follows:

SUSO Electronic Winners

Best Collaboration Ready Production: “Manipulation" by Serafim Nikolaev (Pavnik x Shtern) from Birkenhead College

Best Melodic Production: “Gamma” by Cy Jones from Western Springs

Best Vocal Production: “It’s Over” by Charlie Mupopo Miller (twothastars) from Manurewa High School

Best Overall Composition: “Irritation” by Noah Birchall from Pukekohe High School

Best Overall Production: “Feel Me” by Tyler Devcich-Aicken (Underground Child) from Pukekohe High School

Best Original Composition: Isle of Hope (Southern Cross Campus Years 1-5)

Best Artist: Rumpus Machine (Long Bay College)

Group Vocal Category

Solo Instrumental Category

Solo Vocal Category

Dance Category

Band Category