Bringing the sunshine, reggae style
Wellington has had a bummer summer, but there’s hope it will arrive fashionably late for next month’s Jim Beam Homegrown.
Local band Tomorrow People describe their sound as ‘‘sunshine reggae’’, and they’re hoping to bring some much-needed sunshine to the capital.
Keyboardist Tana Tupai says they’re all about making feel-good sounds.
‘‘[Sunshine reggae] is in essence just our own take on reggae, which is always just a positive and happy genre of music.’’
They have been lucky enough to leave Wellington, hit many of the country’s beach spots and ‘‘get some sun’’ this summer, playing festivals including East Coast Vibes in Gisborne and One Love in Tauranga.
This year will be their second Homegrown festival; they previously played in 2015.
It was an extra-special gig for them, Tupai says. ‘‘We don’t often get to play in our hometown. It’s cool to have such an iconic festival in our backyard.’’
Tomorrow People are playing the Dub & Roots stage, alongside acts like Six60, Fat Freddy’s Drop and The Black Seeds.
They are in the 1pm slot and hope to set the scene for a great day. ‘‘Hopefully we’ll bring the sun to everyone. ‘‘For us, we want to start off everyone’s day with a really positive, sunshine vibe and set them up for the rest of the day.’’
Homegrown is also an opportunity for artists to catch up, he says. ‘‘It’s pretty much a reunion of us artists as well.
‘‘It’s a real privilege to be alongside our idols and play alongside some real legends.’’
Fat Freddy’s keyboardist Iain Gordon says Homegrown is always a fun day out.
‘‘Wellington’s a great city for a party … it’s got a centre, it’s got heart.
‘‘For a city festival it’s fantastic. It rates right up there… It rates as high as you can get.’’
Organiser Mark Wright says ticket saying are ‘‘pumping’’.
Monday, February 13 saw 400 sold in one day. ‘‘I’m picking it will sell out, it’s just a question of when.’’
Jim Beam Homegrown, Wellington waterfront, Saturday, March 4.