The boys are back in town, soon

Modern Maori Quartet, back at Baycourt in August. Photo/file

The boys are heading back to town. And Megan Peacock Coyle, Baycourt manager, cannot wait to have them back.

"We're working hard to bring more Toi Maori performances to Tauranga, and we were so encouraged when the show sold out last year," she said.

"We're excited to share this experience with a bigger audience in our main theatre, and the great thing about this show is it's for everyone - last time around we had teenagers, nanas, grand-dads and everyone in between!"

Modern Maori Quartet (MMQ) are a good-looking, suave and multi-talented Maori foursome who love crooning their spin on modern and classic numbers.

According to the band's newest member, Francis Kora, the appeal of singing as a quartet is getting back to the grassroots: "This is us. This is what we grew up on, and what we do when we get together."

He said audiences can expect tight harmonies and classic tunes from diverse groups such as The Carpenters and Prince Tui Teka to Sam Smith and Johnny Legend.

By all accounts, the smooth looks and silky voices are winning audiences all over. The band recently returned from a highly successful gig in Sydney and plan to perform in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Uzbekistan after their New Zealand tour.

So suit 'em up in their number ones, shine their shoes, hand them a guitar or two and they'll have you melting like golden syrup on a piece of fresh, hot fried bread with their signature brand of Maori entertainment.

MMQ comprises four talented Toi Whaakari graduates, James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora, who all lead impressive careers outside of their work together.

In 2011 James Tito was nominated as Most Promising Male Newcomer at the 2011 Chapman Tripp Awards. He was inspired by the Maori showbands and entertainers of yesterday to establish the Modern Maori Quartet.

Maaka Pohatu has performed in numerous productions. These include the critically acclaimed Strange Resting Places and The Maori Troilus and Cressida, which featured at the prestigious Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Matariki Whatarau's screen credits include Find Me A Maori Bride, The Almighty Johnsons, Go Girls and The Pa Boys and for the last decade, The Pa Boys co-star, Francis Kora, has been a musician with (and now the frontman of) popular Kiwi band KORA.

the fine print
What: An Evening with the Modern Maori Quartet
Where: Baycourt Addison Theatre
When: Tuesday August 11, 7.30pm
Tickets: $20-$45 Baycourt Box Office, www.ticketek.co.nz