Huge Turnout For Rhythm Nation Summer Beats

PANUI PAPAHO / MEDIA STATEMENT
Te 28 o nga ra o Kohi-tatea 2004 / 28 January 2004

HUGE TURNOUT FOR RHYTHM NATION SUMMER BEATS

More than 18,000 people celebrated Auckland Anniversary Day at a free outdoor concert staged by radio station Mai FM 88.6 at Okaahu Bay on Monday (26/01).

'Rhythm Nation Summer Beats' featured New Zealand's best hip hop, R'n'B and reggae bands - Mareko, Deceptikonz, Adeaze and Katchafire - as well as winners of the 2003 Coke Rhythm Nation talent search - Que from Christchurch, Niki Ahu from Greenlane, Kelly-Anne Peihopa from Thames, Flow on Show from Mount Maunganui and South Auckland's Eeryt from Papatoetoe.

Mai FM marketing manager Natasha Meleisea says the fantastic fun day at Okaahu Bay combined the best of New Zealand music with a beach setting.

"Up to 20,000 jammed at Okaahu Bay so it's great to hear so many positive comments about how well everything went considering the massive crowd," Natasha Meleisea says.

"It was a family day which involved picnics, sports, kids swimming at the beach, loads of ice cream and heaps of great music - people are still ringing the station to thank us for putting on a free event that they could access and enjoy."

Coke Rhythm Nation was re-launched for 2004 at Monday's concert with another 10 winners over the next 10 months.

The ambitious talent search is run by Mai FM 88.6 every month to foster local talent by giving them the chance to professionally record one of their own, original songs.

More details are on the website http://www.maifm.co.nz/

ENDS

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