Youth put on their own show for NZ Music Month

Young people in Wairarapa are curating their own live gig to celebrate NZ Music Month, which starts on May 1.

College bands Koia, Front Back & Sides, Cast a Shadow and Back To The Remedy, are putting on Wai Beat as part of a variety of music month events in Wairarapa.

Well-known Wellington reggae favourite Newtown Rocksteady will also make a special guest appearance.

A lack of music events for young people sparked the idea for the gig, said Mark Rogers, a music promoter at Up With People who helped organise the event.

"Years back in Masterton, we had the Summer Hummer for youth, it got pulled and nothing replaced it so the younger guys said 'we'll organise something'."

Back To The Remedy, a rock band from Wairarapa College, said people can expect Wai Beat to have "good jams" and a tight set full of energy and enthusiasm.

Band members Zac Emerson (drums), Jake Schdroski (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Hayden Warren (bass) and Jesse Brown (lead guitar and backing vocals) all said NZ Music Month is very important to them as it helps them get gigs.

They all said they want to build a career in music.

"It's the biggest part of our lives," said Brown.

Back To The Remedy will also be playing gigs at the new music venue King St Live when it opens on May 9.

Wairarapa is set to have a busy music month with eight events planned during May.

Mr Rogers said he and Raymon Butler, from Masterton MusicWorks, wanted to make the month special for locals.

"Even though there's always been a great local music scene in the Wairarapa, nothing's been co-ordinated. There's never been anything like this before."

He said the council helps fund Wai Beat and hopes it will continue to fund similar events.

It was also up to the kids to make it happen, he said.

"In many ways, if they want to do this [regularly], they can do it."

Mr Rogers said Wai Beat will be a professional gig with top PA systems, light shows, a DJ set and of course, the top college bands from the region.

"It gives them a bit of inspiration and also entertains the audience."

Wai Beat is on May 24 at Wairarapa College.

To find out more, visit waibeat.co.nz.