The Silver Scroll Awards recognize a song’s merit, rather than sales, and is widely regarded as New Zealand’s most prestigious song writing award.

The award night’s host, comedian Dai Henwood, described the evening as ” the Olympics of songwriting, though hopefully no one gets their award taken off them”.

A select audience watched as each of the five shortlisted songs was covered by guest artist: The Nudge tackled Brown’s Everything to Me, Lydia Cole’s Hibernate was covered by LA Mitchell, metallers Beastwars played Adam McGrath’s track State Houses By The River, Julia Deans was joined by a string quarter for Kody Nielson’s Getaway Tonight and Annah Mac’s song Girl in Stilettos was transformed by The Wyld.

Brown said the Silver Scroll Award was like no other music award. “This is about the highest accolade you can wish for as a songwriter.”