Tag: music

By Prerna Priyanka Ben Masirewa, who has been dubbed a “one-man musical genius,” is returning to the Fiji Fringe Festival after his blazing performance last year. Masirewa credits his father for instilling a rebellious spirit within him, fostering a love for rock ‘n’ roll and encouraging him to dare to be different.  “He dared me […]

By Rowena Singh “There’s never a last song,” says InsideOut lead singer and guitarist, Apakuki Nalawa about the band’s ability to fill dancefloors. “We have to literally run off the stage. People just don’t want to stop partying, dancing and singing.” InsideOut’s passion, iTaukei lyrics, melody and instrumentation has brought them fame across Fiji and […]

By Prerna Priyanka In a ground-breaking initiative aiming for inclusivity in the arts, the Fiji run of MAMMA MIA! The Musical is gearing up for a special ‘accessible performance’ on February 10, 2024. Directed by Michael Payer, this rendition of MAMMA MIA! promises to dazzle audiences while serving as a platform for local talent. The […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti V5’s jazzy, soulful, and bluesy songs have a sound that sets them apart from many Fijian performers. So it is a shock to learn that the band members, 15-year-old Lia Daunakamakama, her sister 18-year-old Jasmine, and their close friend Vika Tuisawau, are so young. Vika’s brother, Sevuloni is the fourth member, and […]

This year’s World Music Day celebrations in Fiji makes a grand return with a fantastic all-Fijian lineup. The event first began in France in 1982, and is now celebrated annually in over 100 countries including Fiji.  It gathers professional and amateur musicians, from mixed musical universes, languages and communities, to share their passion for music […]

Part Two: Reflections of the Fiji Fringe with Sharleen Ali By Ben Wheeler Sharleen Ali is dynamic. She bristles with a creative energy that seems to produce so many thoughts a minute that if there was a way to convert them to electricity, her ideas could power a small village. It is this potency that […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Popular Fiji vocalist, Etta Gonerogo has planned an epic three-hour show for the Fiji Fringe Festival, complete with a band and backing vocalists. The performance will include her original songs, cover songs, Hindi songs, recent hits, and old favourites. Etta will also feature ‘The West Fiji’ or Suliasi Uluilakeba, whose famous song […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti “If you think you will come in expecting to be seated, we guarantee you will be burning the dance floor. That’s the promise of VT1S band manager, Tikiko Korocowiri, ahead of the band’s Fiji Fringe Festival show on March 4. VT1S (pronounced Viti Ones), a platform set up by music lable VTBOP […]

By Rowena Singh Deeper Sounds, Deeper Connections is a Pacific-Australian project which shares the unique music of the Pacific with the world. Working with groups of musicians across the region, it captures traditional instruments, melodies, songs and voices, and distils them into sample packs for DJs, producers, film makers, music makers and Australian music schools.  Fiji’s […]

A matriarch of music, the Queen of Vude, supporter of many charities, and a diva who comes home and cooks for her family every night.  Laisa Vulakoro has an in-depth talanoa with Islands Business’ Rowena Singh about her four decades in the industry. “I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years and I’m still […]

After a vigorous shortlisting process, 10 finalists have been chosen by the Domo Vou Talei music competition panel of judges and will now receive ten weeks of coaching from industry experts. Over 130 eclectic entries were received from all over Fiji in the new competition for original music. The Domo Vou Talei judges said the […]

Oceania Centre Sculpture exhibition 11th May – 27th May 2022 at the Gallery of Oceanian Arts located at the upper Laucala campus University of the South Pacific Suva The Accident A new play, written and directed by Larry Thomas. 24-28 May, 8pm Australia Pacific Performance Space, USP Laucala campus Tickets available at the Oceania Centre, […]

Global Recycling Day March 18 at the Vodafone Arena Carpark, Suva Red Wave Retrospective art exhibition Gallery of Oceania Arts, Laucala Campus, USP, Suva. Until March 25 (extended for one week) Royal Suva Yacht Club – live with Four Quarters March 18 Holi March 19 Come-n-Try program by World Archery Fiji March 19, St Joseph’s […]

By Rowena Singh “Fiji is a strong part of my existence,” says ghazal and Bollywood singer Kavita Kalyan. Kalyan is Australian born, but with strong family ties that take her back to Fiji, and her extended family in Suva regularly. “Despite living in Australia, I have always identified as being Fijian. Furthermore,  my parents’ heavy […]