Tūrangi singing star Jackson Owens returns home for show

Jackson Owens: "I love to sing and I'm really blessed to be in the situation I'm in now." Photo / Supplied

Jackson Owens has wowed crowds across America and proved a YouTube hit with tens of thousands of views on his videos, but there's one stage he's particularly looking forward to performing on.

As a "proud Māori", his performance at the Tiki Āhua fashion, design, music and dance extravaganza at Rotorua's Te Puia in two week's time is something particularly special for the Tūrangi 20 year old. The opportunity to do what he loves, in a place surrounded by mana and steeped in history, was a chance Jackson was never going to pass up.

The popularity of Tiki Āhua 's first showcase in 2016 meant Jackson knew about it even before being asked to perform, opening for L.A.B on October 6. The concert will follow the runway fashion show, with the two showcases being split and tickets available for either the concert, fashion show or both.

Te Puia general manager sales and marketing, Kiri Atkinson-Crean says it is fantastic to have someone like Jackson performing as part of the concert.

"He is a talented young man who fits perfectly with the Tiki Āhua concept. We're really excited we've secured him for Tiki Āhua before he heads off on tour with Stan Walker."

For Jackson, who first gained acclaim as a child growing up in Tūrangi when he began posting videos on YouTube, it is a welcome opportunity to perform to a home crowd.

Over the past four years, Jackson has spent lengthy periods in the United States after being hand-picked by Backstreet Boys producer Timothy Coons, who discovered the teen on YouTube.

In the US, Jackson was placed in a boy band, Far Young, which toured across the States.
He admits people probably recognise him more in the US than they do in New Zealand, but he's working to change that.

Living back in Taupō, Jackson has been travelling between there and Auckland recording songs, including his two singles, Touch and The Weekend.

"After Tiki Āhua I'm going on tour with Stan Walker which I'm really looking forward to, and I've got some more singles coming out soon."

In Tiki Āhua Jackson will perform a mix of "old-school songs" and some of his own works.
"It will be a good jam, everyone will be having fun. I obviously love performing my original stuff because I know exactly the meaning behind it, but I grew up on a lot of old school music. I got discovered performing that on YouTube — what an amazing platform that is.

"I'm just a young guy really passionate about music. I love to sing, and I'm really blessed to be in the situation I'm in now."

Jackson says being able to travel and work both in the US and New Zealand gives him the best of both worlds but credits the time he spent overseas with teaching him important skills.

"That time was so valuable. I learnt a hell of a lot about the industry and I really treasure my time over there."

The biggest lesson? Jackson says probably it was just coming out of his shell and learning more about the bigger world that existed outside of New Zealand.

"Tūrangi is not the biggest town around so it was a big shock. I was quite shy and would hold my personality in. America opens you up."

While his group experience didn't work out in the end, he doesn't rule that out in future, but says for now his solo career is the focus.

"I've always liked the sound of a group with all the harmonies.

"You never know some time down the line."

Tiki Āhua fuses contemporary fashion with traditional Māori arts on October 6 at Rotorua's Te Puia.

A bar service and food is available for the R18 concert, with tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.nz using the keyword Tiki Āhua. Tickets can be purchased for either the runway show, or concert or both.

Featured designers in the fashion show including social media star William Waiirua, Miromoda winner Misty Ratima and Kiri Nathan.