X-Factor winner Beau Monga to play at carnival

The Caroline Bay Carnival is set to rock again with organisers announcing New Zealand X Factor 2015 winner Beau Monga will perform during the 16-day programme.

Monga will star alongside his parents, Betty-Anne and Ryan Monga, members of the Auckland Poly-Funk band Ardijah, which was founded in 1979.

Last year, an estimated crowd of 10,000 poured into the Caroline Bay soundshell area to watch Stan Walker perform.

Monga’s singing and beat boxing audition for X Factor talent show went viral and received four million combined views on Facebook and YouTube. He was one of the few contestants who received a standing ovation from the judges of the show.

Caroline Bay Carnival entertainment manager Kevin Fahey is excited about securing such top acts for the the 2015-2016 carnival, which starts on Boxing Day.

In the line-up for the first week are the Melting Pot Band from Christchurch, The Waratahs, The Lady Killers, Brendan Thomas & The Vibes, The Oxo Cubans and Sha-Low Band.

Fahey said the New Year’s Eve show ‘‘should not be missed’’ with the LA Social Club Band from Queenstown performing to kick off a great two hour late evening show at 8.45pm.

The games and rides run right through until midnight when the Caroline Bay Association’s own pyrotechnic team will blast the fireworks into the night sky to see in 2016.

Towards the end of the carnival programme there will be appearances and performances from Michael Murphy and Becks Wright, Benny Tipene and band. Jason Kerrison from Op Shop, and In the East along with Sarah Conlan. Then direct from Australia is Kaylens Rain. Steve Broad and Kayla Mahon will perform on the final Thursday of the carnival.

The ever-popular Alpine Energy Talent Quest will be again be held and the backing band this year is City Limit and compere will be Shane Clarke.