Hip Hop Haka – Catch the Heat, Stay For the Beat

Press Release
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2007
Monday 29 January 2007

Hip... Hop... Haka – Catch the Heat, Stay For the Beat

Hot headline acts are tuning up and queuing up to be part of next month’s Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival.

Kora, Katchafire, Spacifix and Ardijah will lead the line-up of national and international artists who will play to thousands at the festival’s Hip... Hop... Haka in Palmerston North from February 22-25.

From hip hop and funk to reggae and soul to full on spine-tingling Kapa Haka, audiences will have their pick of entertainment rolling out simultaneously across the venue from morning to night.

The festival will be a first for funky dub reggae band Kora who have made an impact on the New Zealand music scene with their harmonies and powerhouse rhythm.

“We’re looking forward to greeting the crowds at Te Matatini. For me, that means heaps being a Maori and a performer,” says the band’s Laughton Kora

Kora will hit the festival’s contemporary music stage on Friday 23 alongside guest international bands, Kalaga'la and Vhirin from New Caledonia and New Zealand’s Katchafire.

Katchafire bass guitarist, Ara Adams-Tamatea knows the level of excitement at Te Matatini, especially for performers on the main Kapa Haka competition stage.

“I’ve got heaps of whanau in different groups and it’ll be good to jam in front of the whanau,” says Ara. “I’m definitely looking forward to being a part of Te Matatini 2007 and I know the rest of Katchafire is too.”

Spacifix are also keen to wow audiences with their fusion of soul, funk, R&B, hip hop, reggae and pop on Saturday 24. Spacifix will be joined by House of Shem, Ruia, Wai, Piri Wiri Tua and crowd pleasers, Ardijah.

“The first time we played at Te Matatini was two years ago. We were new to the Kapa Haka scene so it blew us away,” says Ardijah lead singer, Betty Anne Monga. “Just being a part of the Kapa Haka festival and seeing the real professionals was mind blowing. To be part of that again will be wonderful. It’s great to be invited to play again but we’d also like to sit down and absorb the Matatini vibe.”

Hip … Hop … Haka is just one of many New Initiatives being introduced by Te Matatini to increase services and entertainment for audiences including People’s Choice Award, Hakarongomai on site translation broadcast, Big Screens as well as international indigenous performers, exhibitions, visual arts, children’s’ activities and fireworks opening extravaganza.

Daily admission of just $25 with further concessions available provides access to all events and activities ensuring festival goers get the best ticket to the best performers at the best event in the land.

ENDS

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