Two Bands To Watch At Food, Music Day Today
The Gang and RelatiV will take the stage
Two bands aim to make an impact when the one-day Thurston Food and Music Festival is held at Suva’s Thurston Gardens today. Expect foot stomping, pulse raising music when Suvabased The Gang and RelatiV take the stage.
The Gang manager Taniela Qalilawa said being approached by the organisers to perform at the event was a blessing for the eight-member band that formed three years ago.
He said the platform would enable them and other artists to showcase what the music industry had to offer Fiji.
“This will be our first time performing, however, the support and assistance from Knox Entertainment, Gold FM and the organisers has been great so far,” Mr Qalilawa said.
“We’ve selected songs that will get everyone on their feet and move a little. We’ve tried to challenge ourselves a little by adding our own musical twist to the songs.
“We hope that by doing this we’ll encourage aspiring musicians and artists out there to tap into their musical potential and creativity and serve us all with their God-given talents.
“Wherever we perform, we always aim to create a ‘memorable moment’ for our fans and all those in attendance.” He describes the band as a group of young, energetic musicians who play a variety of genres ranging from English and Fijian classics, pop, country, reggae, jazz, Fijian vude, Top 40 songs and more.
For RelatiV the festival is a re-emergence of sorts up after a short hiatus from the music scene.
Band members, who are relatives, decided to take a break from the scene because they were unimpressed with their level of performances after being in the business for three years.
Drawn from Lau and Kadavu provinces, a few members wanted to return to tertiary classes.
But the lure of music and missing the ability to perform live got band members talking about a reunion. Today is a chance for them to put it all together. Manager Benjanim Seniroqa highlighted that it would be their second performance this year after their break-up with the addition of a new member, Biu Kacimaiwai. “I’d say our sound is pretty much fresh and new right now and we’re ready for this festival,” Mr Seniroqa said. “This event is something different to what other music festivals in Fiji offer. The one thing that we love about it is that the organisers look after us musicians really well and that is something you don’t see in other events.
“Also we believe in the vision on how the music standard in Fiji can grow if we all could work together and this event is actually making that possible.”
RelatiV is originally an indie, pop and rock band, but they usually play anything ranging from pop rock, reggae, soul, funk, jazz, blues, country, rock and roll, heavy metal, folk, disco and hip hop.
The Thurston Food and Music Festival has been described as a fun-filled day for everyone where people can bring their friends and family and enjoy the food while listening to quality live music and performances.
It is organised by KNOX Entertainment and Gold FM supported by Paradise Beverages and the Suva City Council.