Reggae rookies will be converted

Tomorrow People play One Love at Tauranga Domain early next year. Photo/supplied

Reggae rookies will be total reggae converts after the 2018 One Love Festival.

So says Tomorrow People's co-founder Tana Tupai who, quite literally, sings the praises of the reggae genre and is proud to be part of its culture.

"People may be surprised to hear that reggae is the biggest music genre in the country, not commercially but it's a culture that's gaining in popularity - it's huge.

"Reggae musicians aspire to be part of the epic One Love Festival, he says. "That's the exciting thing about the genre and One Love, you can have no appreciation for reggae and then leave definitely converted."

That may be because of the chilled out, peaceful positivity of the reggae genre, Tana says.

Seven-piece band Tomorrow People have been performing at One Love since its beginnings.

Early next year the band will be releasing their third full length album (title still undecided) at the festival.

The band have high hopes for first single Don't Wanna Fight It and hope it becomes the "unofficial summer anthem".

Tomorrow People started with two people - Wellington high school buddies Tana and Avina Kelekolio.

"We kind of did things in reverse, we didn't put a band together, we put demos on YouTube and went from there."

The self-managed band - who write, record and produce their own songs - have released two full length albums, two EPs, put out 23 radio singles, 15 music videos and five music features with other artists. They have two gold-certified plaques for debut album One and for a collaboration. They were nominated for best roots artist at the Vodafone NZ Music Awards this year.

Their music is "sunshine reggae" and radiates positivity.

"We like to write about fun topics, we try to write music that has uplifting, positive messages. But they vary, sometimes they are about love, relationships, even political messages. It's music that everyday Kiwis like to listen to."

Their fan base is high in New Zealand, followed by Australia and then the Pacific Islands. They have a big following in Hawaii too.

One Love 2018
Tauranga Domain
January 27-28
Tickets onelovefestival.co.nz

Tomorrow People join a list of reggae superstars at the One Love Festival early next year.
One Love is New Zealand's celebration festival of roots, rock and reggae.

Headlining the festival is Jamaican 90s hitmaker Shaggy, famous for hits such as Oh Carolina, Boombastic and It Wasn't Me.

Other bands include MAGIC!, J Boog, Common Kings, Black Uhuru, Aswad, House of Shem, Sons of Zion and 1814, Stan Walker, Ardijah, Marley New Zealand All Stars, Sammy J, Herbs, Three Houses Down, General Fiyah, Swiss, Foundation, Lomez Brown, Maimoa Music, Tynee Giant, DJ Hemz and DL Noiz.

Tauranga is the home to the One Love concert which has changed from Waitangi weekend to Auckland Anniversary weekend in January. The line-up for the festival is handpicked in keeping with the One Love theme.

The Marley New Zealand All Stars are a bunch of Kiwi legends including Tiki Taane, Laughton and Fran Kora, Boh Runga, Logan Bell, Ria Hall and Annie Crummer.