NZ’s Moana & The Tribe to play for UN with Geldoff

Click to enlarge

NZ’s Moana & The Tribe to share stage with Bob Geldof for the United Nations

Internationally respected and lauded New Zealand musician Moana Maniapoto has been invited to perform with her band Moana & The Tribe at a concert for the United Nations in Germany.

One of only five artists chosen to play at the concert, Moana & The Tribe are in illustrious company performing alongside acclaimed artists Bob Geldof (UK), Hugh Masekela (Africa), Daniela Mercury (South America), and Gocoo (Japan).

From her Grey Lynn home Moana excitedly shares, “I'm absolutely rapt that our band has been asked to play at such a prestigious gig. It's a big honour for a New Zealand band to be invited to play alongside such amazing musicians. We're wholeheartedly dedicated to making a big New Zealand impression!”

The United Nations concert, which is to be held on the 19th May, will see Moana & The Tribe representing the Pacific before a 5000 strong crowd. It is just one date in the middle of a planned international tour taking the band to Canada and through Europe in 2008.

All in addition to a new album and album release shows. Moana and The Tribe's fourth album 'Whā' is set for release on May 12th and will be celebrated with live shows at Taupo’s Great Lake Centre on May 10th and Auckland’s Galatos on Thursday May 15th.

“ It's a bit of a head-spin releasing our album, playing the shows here, then flying into Frankfurt on a Sunday, playing in Bonn on a Monday and leaving on the Tuesday! But they have good coffee up there - we'll be right.” says Moana.

The new album ‘Whā’ from Moana & The Tribe is an extensive collage of contemporary dub, reverential odes to heroes lost, emotive reminders about our past, and sensual love songs. The sounds range from electronic programming through to flugel horn to Taonga Puoro (traditional Maori instruments) and include some historical recordings such as that of the 28th Maori Battalion. This blend carries a warmth and passion that the listener will find hard to escape.

Described as a ‘truly inspiring performing and recording artist’ by US magazine The Beat (2006), Moana is one of New Zealand's premiere vocal performance artists, gaining national and international acclaim for her socially and culturally conscious lyrics and credited with ‘laying the foundations for the recent international exposure of N.Z acts like Te Vaka, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Wai’ (Songlines 2006).

Winner of among other national awards, the NZ Art Laureate – where she joins other cultural luminaries such as Don McGlashan and Michael Hurst – Moana was recognised internationally with the Grand Prix Award at the International Songwriting Competition (US) when she was chosen over 11,000 composers to become the first non-American to win the prestigious award.

With a career spanning 2 decades Moana's history is impressive. With possibly her most accomplished album to date due for release and some amazing opportunities in front of her the road ahead looks extraordinary!

Moana & The Tribe - ‘Whā’ - out May 12th
Out via Ode Records.

ENDS

© Scoop Media