Come together to celebrate Matariki and honour waiata reo Māori at Auckland Philharmonia’sWaiata Anthems in Concert, a soul-stirring evening of live music collaboration in the Auckland Town Hall on Thursday 9 July. This mighty Matariki show features rising vocal artists Jordyn with a Why, MOHI and Geneva AM, joined by Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka, and a full-strength Auckland Philharmonia, performing songs from the original 2019 award-winning Waiata Anthems album.
Waiata Anthems’ album features iconic kiwi hits rerecorded in te reo Māori. It debuted at No.1 in the NZ Music Charts in 2019 — the first 100% reo Māori album to do so — and spent 16 weeks in the NZ Top 40. It also recently achieved Double Platinum status for sales and streaming.
Waiata Anthems in Concert is a unique collaboration that features full orchestral arrangements of the songs from this popular album, including Tami Neilson’s ‘Roimata/Cry Myself to Sleep’, Stan Walker’s ‘Tēnā Rā Koe/Thank You’, Drax Project’s ‘I Moeroa/Woke Up Late’, and many others. Audiences can also look forward to newly commissioned arrangements of hit songs from Jordyn with a Why, MOHI and Geneva AM, performed live for the first time.
Shaping the next generation of waiata reo, exceptional young singers featured in this concert include the compelling, soulful voice of Jordyn with a Why (Tainui Āwhiro, Mulifanua Lalovi, Falelatai, Vaimoso). Jordyn is joined by Geneva AM (Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Aitutaki, Palmerston), a talented producer, beat maker and vocalist, and MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) a sublime neo-soul singer who is fast becoming a household name in Aotearoa.
Talented South Auckland school group, Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka, also star in the sparkling line-up for this Matariki concert. Joining in on some of Waiata Anthems’ songs, this will be a sensational showcase of young talent from our region and the powerful sound of collaboration between these diverse musical genres.
Creator of Waiata Anthems, Dame Hinewehi Mohi, says, “this will be a beautiful musical tribute for Matariki, as we remember those who have passed, and will guide us toward fresh beginnings for the Māori New Year. The combination of classical instrumentation with contemporary voices will provide a sublime evening of celebration of Aotearoa.”
Waiata Anthems in Concert’s producer, Esther Stephens, is looking forward to sharing this special Matariki concert with Aucklanders and says, “it is so exciting to see different musical worlds come together to celebrate the strength and beauty of waiata reo Māori.
“There is an incredible team of creatives contributing to this concert; local composers and arrangers, our phenomenal guest vocalists, Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae Kapa Haka, and of course the brilliant musicians of Auckland’s professional orchestra, it’s truly the ultimate collaboration and the perfect way to celebrate Matariki.”
Kick off your Matariki public holiday with your friends and whānau at this an exceptional evening of live music. Book now from aucklandphil.nz or Ticketmaster.
CONCERT DETAILS
Waiata Anthems in Concert
7.30pm, Thursday 9 July
Auckland Town Hall