22 September 2011

Manukau City will rock to the beats of the Pacific on 24 September as six young bands compete in the finals of the Smokefree Pacifica Beats.

Smokefree Pacifica Beats is a national music competition organised by the Youth Performance Trust to encourage school students to create and perform their own original, contemporary music. Performances must include cultural features, such as language, movement or instrument and acts that have come through the competition include Nesian Mystik, Adeaze, and chart climbing R’n’B singer Ria.

The six finalists come from throughout Aotearoa and have competed in regional competitions, performing music styles ranging R&B through to hip hop.

The winner comes away with a $10,000 NZ On Air grant to record a song and music video for release.

This year’s judges are Tania Dean from NZ On Air, Ngaire Fuata from TVNZ and musicians Maia Rata, Tama Waipara and Iva Lamkum.

Youth Performance Trust spokesperson Elena Lome says the competition was set up to encourage youth to create and perform their own original, contemporary music that reflects the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Smokefree Pacifica Beats has come a long way since it started in 1994 as the Urban Beats Award within Smokefreerockquest. Fast forward to 2011 and the event is a competition in its own right with a national final.”

The competition is a partnership with the anti-tobacco campaign Smoking Not Our Future. Manager Susie Robertson says large numbers of young people attend Smokefree Pacifica Beats events and see messaging about the benefits of a smokefree lifestyle.

“Smoking Not Our Future also supports this event because it encourages young people to stay in school and that has a huge range of benefits.”

The bands

The Tropicals – Aranui High School, Christchurch
The Tropicals started their band this year to raise the spirits of the people of the Eastside affected by the Christchurch earthquakes. The band has a unique sound that fuses together pop, Pacifica, Rock, Rand B and Reggae.

Servn8 – One Tree Hill College, Auckland
Servn8 stands for eight servants of God. The band is made up of seven Polynesian students from One Tree Hill College and the songs are always based on their life experiences. The group wrote Never give up on their way back from last year’s National Final where they gained second place.

Ahomairangi – Taipa Area School, Taipa
Ahomairangi is a young band from the Doubtless bay area in Northland. Band members are aged 15-18 years and have recently been playing at numerous events, festivals and concerts. Highly influenced by the likes of Maisey Rika, House Of Shem, Lauryn Hill, Sons Of Zion, Stan Walker and 1814, they write their own lyrics, music and beats. The group’s commitment and hard work has given them a great start and now it’s just the beginning of a bright future in the music industry.

Te Wehi – TKKM o Nga Mokopuna, Wellington
Te Wehi is an all-female six-piece band and this year’s Wellington Regional Final winners. The band writes about their own lives and influences include Te Aho Matua, Te Reo me ona Tikanga and Kapa Haka. Te Wehi formed for SFPB and the band members are very proud of what they have achieved so far.

RubberBand – Manurewa High School, Auckland
Formed 18 months ago, Rubberband members are in their final year at Manurewa High School. All members have been playing and performing for many years, with most of them clocking large hours in the Polynesian church band scene. Influences include Sons of Zion, Ryan Leslie andThree Houses Down. Rubberband is excited to play in front of a home crowd at the TelstraClear Pasific Centre.

eXidus – Waiopehu College, Levin
eXidus is a six-piece all male band, which came second place at our Wellington Regional Final.

ENDS

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