Sounds of summer

MISTY FREQUENCIES: Legendary Kiwi musicians, including Che Fu, got the crowd pumping at Summer Frequencies over the weekend. Pictures by Avneesh Vincent

The inaugural edition of Summer Frequencies was a hit as thousands headed to the Gisborne Soundshell over the weekend.

Hosted by Mission Entertainment, the festival saw some of the biggest names in Kiwi and international music including Savage, Scribe and Adeaze light up the stage.

Some of the highlights on Saturday's roster included Ardijah and House of Shem.

Ardijah, best known for their number one single Silly Love Songs in 1999, made the crowd go wild with their energetic display and use of polyfonk.

The band emerged in the late 70s and is led by Ryan and Betty-Anne Monga.

Reggae band House of Shem served as a feast for the senses.

Like many legendary groups, the band's sound is built around classic harmonies.

House of Shem was led by the late Carl Perkins until he passed away in 2018, and his sons Te Omeka and Isaiah Perkins.

Sunday saw Che Fu and King Kapisi mesmerise the crowd with their hip-hop tracks.

With the top ten songs of any individual in New Zealand music history, Che Fu is one of the country's most successful and beloved recording artists.

Originally coming to the attention of Kiwis in the 90s as one of the members of iconic rock band Supergroove, Che Fu went on to forge a career as a solo artist, writing and recording hip-hop/soul chart-topping songs such as Chains and Misty Frequencies, and platinum-selling albums such as 2b S. Pacific and The Navigator.

He continues to perform on the Australasian circuit with his band the Kratez.

Che Fu was joined by Wellington-born Samoan King Kapisi, aka Bill Urale, another hip-hop legend.

King Kapisi has performed at nearly every major New Zealand music festival and has graced the stage alongside The Black Eyed Peas, Janet Jackson, and the Beastie Boys, to name just a few.