Pacific popsters overwhelmed by love

Common Kings, are performing at this weekends One-love Festival. Photo/supplied

Common Kings are set to reign in New Zealand as their music has a melody and natural harmony that has seen other Pacifica bands head to the top of our charts.

While the band's catchy sound will attract anyone who has had Herbs, Ardijah or Nesian Mystik play the soundtrack to their summers, the United States, it seems, is only just catching island fever - and Common Kings is leading the charge.

While all band members grew up in Orange County, California, most of them were born in the South Pacific which is why their sound seems almost local and why they've been mistaken for a Kiwi band.

Fans have dubbed their sound "feel good music" and if you need a label, the band is happy with that one.

Another good reason to be happy is the 350,000 downloads of their EPs and singles combined. People are taking to their soulful Pacific pop faster than an Island winger busting to a try line.

Justin Timberlake caught the fever in 2014 and the band was invited to open for him for his 20/20 World Experience tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Being chosen by Timberlake gave the band the extra one per cent it needs to be great. Belief.

"Touring with Justin definitely gave us confidence and opened our eyes to the potential we have," says bass player Ivan Kirimaua.

"I took away some of his stage presence and his natural and professional way he has with people. He is just effortless," says lead singer Sasualei "Jr King" Maliga.

More recently, they toured with Fifth Harmony and that experience gave them a taste of what's probably just around the corner - screaming fans.

"Fifth Harmony are amazing and very talented - being on stage in a sea of their crazy, crazy fans was awesome.

It's also their collaboration with Meghan Trainor that the band really treasures. Not only do they count her as a friend, she writes songs for them and has recorded with them.

The Common Kings sound is a cocktail of reggae, R&B, rock and pop with influences as diverse as Gypsy Kings to The Who.

It's lead singer Junior, however, who gives the cocktail some kava kick. One Love fans are going to be knocked out by him. The dude has pipes.

They may claim to be common, but these kings will get a lot more subjects from the One Love crowd.

the fine print
What: Common Kings at One Love
Where: Wharepai Domain
When: Sunday, 8.40pm