FRESHFEST – Auckland Town Hall
30 June 2001
1200 to 1800 and 1900 to 2400
Aotearoa has been chosen to host the first annual FRESHFEST in Auckland on 30 June 2001, a worldwide Urban Music tour
featuring hip-hop and R music. Top acts nationwide are expected to perform. The show will also cover other music genres like acid jazz, drum & bass, soul, reggae and fusion music.
A major coup for festival organisers has been securing a contract with LA-based Samoan hip-hop group, the BOO-YAA
T.R.I.B.E., to headline at the festival. This will be the BOO-YAA T.R.I.B.E.’s first trip to New Zealand, and they are
keen to meet other Polynesian musicians in the South Pacific.
The event is being organised by U.S. based companies, MIDAS TOUCH INTL
& Fayvor Entertainment. Michael Deet, founder of MIDAS TOUCH INTL, says he’s holding the event in New Zealand because he
feels the future of urban music is based here.
His partner, Faye Va’afusuaga from Fayvor Entertainment, is a NZ born Samoan now based in Los Angeles. After working in
the marketing department of Australian Consolidated Press in Auckland, she moved to the US and has done event management
and marketing for Motown, KingWorld Ltd, the Soul Train Awards, the MTV awards and the Grammy Awards.
“I wanted to give something back to my heritage and help New Zealand musicians discover themselves first, then expose it
to the world,” says Va’afusuaga.
Local musicians Lole Usoali’I from Sista Records and Herman Loto are helping to produce the show at the Auckland Town
Hall. Other local talent set to perform at the show include headliners Che Fu, MarVelle, Ardijah, BooYaa T.R.I.B.E and
Foot Souljahs. Other feature acts include TNT, Savage Poets, Indigenous Funk, Aaria, Khas aka Field Style Orator, Feleti & JP, Darren Kamali, Cydel, and more.
FRESHFEST is for all ages and all nationalities. The event will be a good opportunity for those who wish to pursue a
career in music to meet up with people who can make their desires a reality. There will be talent managers/scouts with
booth style stalls for those who are interested.
FRESHFEST (FF) will offer an all-day concert, open market stands, short film and music video screenings, DJ skill
displays, open mic contest, breakdance contest & exhibition, island and modern dance, graffitti exhibition, special guest speakers, hip hop tutoring, business & entertainment counseling, new urban fashion displays, arts and crafts, food, drink and more.
Ends