The Warratahs Release Quicksilver Days Following Country Music Honours Spotlight
Fresh from their induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa at the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, iconic New Zealand alt-country band The Warratahs are set to release their evocative new single, “Quicksilver Days,” on 23 May.
The release follows the band’s appearance as special guest performers at this year’s Country Music Honours on 22 May in Gore, where songwriter and frontman Barry Saunders is also a finalist for the prestigious MLT Songwriting Awards with Quicksilver Days.
The recognition adds another milestone to an already remarkable year for The Warratahs, whose recent Hall of Fame induction celebrated a career that has helped shape the sound of country and roots music in Aotearoa.
“Quicksilver Days” captures the unmistakable spirit that has made The Warratahs one of New Zealand’s most enduring and beloved musical acts. Led by Saunders’ unmistakable voice and poetic songwriting, the band continues to blend country, folk, and rock influences with the authenticity and heart that have defined their legacy for decades.
The Country Music Honours is a highlight of the Tussock Country Music Festival, bringing together New Zealand’s emerging songwriting talent and finest country music recording artists for an unforgettable evening of celebration and performance.
Audiences will experience a feast of live performances from award finalists and special guests, culminating in the presentation of the MLT Songwriting Award, the APRA Best Country Song Award, and the Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa.
This year’s event will also celebrate The Topp Twins, who will receive the 2026 Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music, recognising their extraordinary contribution to the past, present, and future of country music in New Zealand.
Adding to an already busy festival schedule, Barry Saunders will also perform an intimate house concert during the Tussock Country Music Festival, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience his songwriting up close.
With a Hall of Fame induction, award recognition, and powerful new music on the horizon, The Warratahs continue to prove why they remain one of the defining voices of New Zealand country music.