The ‘I Love Samoa 2020 Benefit Concert’ kicked off in Auckland last night, with many Pacific music fans flocking to the Vodafone Events Arena in Manukau to attend the event. The line-up was choc-a-block full of Pacific talent, with 16 acts taking to the stage to perform.
In an interview with Magic FM, concert organiser Brotha D spoke about the number of artists they managed to draw in for the concert. “The whole thing was about just pulling all our local [talent] and whoever was available to put on this show, and we’ve had a great response.” Homegrown performers included Swiss + Tree, Poetik, Tone6 and Truce, with some surprises from the international sector.
Hot off his One Love appearance, Fiji was the headliner of the night, bringing along some of his other Pacific reggae contemporaries including Spawnbreezie and Iakopo.
Savage also took to the stage to rapturous applause, performing his latest single ‘Reach (Love Don’t Live Here Anymore)’ featuring Tone 6 and his worldwide smash ‘Freaks’. Speaking to Niu FM backstage, Savage spoke about his South Auckland roots. “It’s always [an] honour and privilege to come here to Manukau. I grew up here, all my dreams started here as a little kid. To come back here, being in the game more than 20 years, to perform for the people but mainly for the cause… there’s a special place in my heart for Samoa always, so when I got the call to be involved it was a no brainer.”
The I Love Samoa 2020 Benefit Concert will continue its run to raise funds, hosting a Wellington Concert tonight and two more events in Gold Coast, Australia and Samoa. The money raised from these events will be donated directly to the families affected by the Measles outbreak in Samoa.
