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Get ready to take your stage presence and performance skills to the next level with Laughton Kora, one of New Zealand’s most talented musicians and performers! Laughton has been a force in the New Zealand music scene for over a decade and has performed with some of the biggest names in the industry. As a member of Soul Charge, KORA, The Heavy Metal Ninja’s, Neon Ninja, Laughton Kora & Friends, and his latest band Black Comet, Laughton’s incredible voice and immense talent have captivated audiences around the country. Join us for an unforgettable music mentoring session with Laughton Kora on Wednesday 26 February at the Cabana from 6-9 pm (all ages welcome) OR for our senior students session at EIT Music Room 1pm3-pm on Wednesday 26 February. Laughton will be sharing his insights and experiences on stage presence and performance, giving you the tools you need to take your performances ...

We know how hard it can be to get your music out there. That’s why we’ve partnered with our friends to create UpStage—a platform where local artists get pro-quality live recordings that showcase their talent like never before. No expensive studio fees. No barriers. Just pure, live music captured in the best possible way. First up, we have Nick Herbison performing Moment and Know Your Addiction live on the Toitoi Opera House stage. Watch now & subscribe – www.youtube.com/@UpstageHB UpStage is a partnership between Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre, Backline Music Trust, Ideaschool at EIT and supported by Creative New Zealand.

A selection of our awesome Hawke’s Bay artists had a successful and inspiring writing session at The Old Church with Laughton Kora and Joel Shadbolt late last year. The energy was incredible as they collaborated, shared ideas, and worked on creating new music. A big thanks to Jussy for capturing these moments with some fantastic images!

Excitement is building for the launch of the fourth Hawke’s Bay Music Hub-led record featuring a mix of emerging and established local musicians. There were 40 songs submitted to the industry panel for consideration this year, says Kevin Murphy,  hub co-founder. “As word has spread about what we’re trying to achieve with our annual record pressing, and the usefulness of the hub, the numbers of musicians submitting songs has grown too. We’re excited to announce the 11 artists who have made the cut in 2024.” The selected musicians and their songs are: Nick Herbison (Moment), Ella Pollett (In your arms), Danica Bryant (Acid), Dos Ovni (Sinners), Rosez  (Need U), Maria Williams (Humbled And Defanged), Kenya Boerman (Aint no Way), Mahina Lawrence (7 Seas), Chris Drabble & Thomas Oliver (Real Love), Liberty (I wanna), Phil Edwards (Cocoon). On the selection panel this year were Paula Yeoman (Nicnak Media) Laughton Kora (Black ...

Myw is a talented musician originally from Japan, specialising in the clarinet and soprano saxophone. With a wealth of experience in solo and ensemble performances, as well as involvement in community events and music education, she has built a strong foundation in sharing her musical talent with others. Since relocating to New Zealand, Myw has been deeply inspired by the region’s natural beauty and the welcoming spirit of the local community. Passionate about contributing to this vibrant culture, Myw is eager to perform at local events and community gatherings, offering her flexibility to adapt to various settings or themes. Her ultimate goal is to bring joy and create meaningful experiences through her music, touching the hearts of those around her. Check out her bio here to find her contact details and links to social media.

Deep Fried Funk” is a big ol’ musical serving of soul food and fat filled funk. With a lineup of some of Hawke’s Bays most lethal funksters, Pauly Lowe, Cam Burns, Matiu Whiting, Matt Mear, Ella Polczyk and Anton Wuts. “Deep Fried Funk” takes on both old school stomps and modern bangers. With tight horns, a slamming rhythm section and some bad muthas on the downstroke, DFF is fronted by HB’s soul sister Jess Atkin. Come get your funk on! Check out their bio here to find their contact details and links to social media.

Originally from Ahuriri Napier, now based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Arahi Whaanga is one independently-released EP and plenty of live shows into establishing himself as a promising singer-songwriter with potential international appeal. Also one half of alt country duo Pony Baby, alongside Jazmine Mary, it’s Arahi’s solo single We’ve Seen Better Days that was included on NZ On Air Music‘s New Tracks July compilation. NZ Musican had a Q&A session with Arahi, so read on to find out more about all things Arahi… What is your full name, where are you from and what instruments do you play? I try to keep my last name to myself to maintain some slight separation in a career that is sometimes so all encompassing. Arahi is my first name. Guitar is my main instrument – I play drums, bass and keys sometimes as well. Was any high school or other music training especially important to you? I had a strained relationship with music theory ...

Big Thanks to Everyone Who Submitted to Under the Sun Vol. 4! We received 41 amazing submissions, and we’re stoked to see so much talent coming through. The panel will be going through all the tracks, and we expect to announce the 10 selected songs in the coming weeks. Thanks again to all the artists who got involved – we’re excited to hear the final lineup! We are currently undergoing record production at Holiday Records and looking forward to launching in February 2025!!! Find out more here.

Hawke’s Bay continues to prove itself as a hotbed of musical talent, with artists from the region releasing fresh sounds and captivating new tracks. If you haven’t been keeping up, now’s the time to dive into the latest releases from some of our most exciting local artists. Liberty Fowler Liberty has been making waves recently, with a spotlight profile piece in HB Today. The talented teen has been redefining the local pop scene, particularly through TikTok, where her music has found a huge following. If you haven’t checked out her latest track, “I wanna” is an absolute must-listen. The catchy melody and relatable lyrics are making Liberty one of the region’s standout rising stars. Nick Herbison Another local artist turning heads is Nick Herbison, with his track “Moment”. Nick’s unique sound continues to solidify him as a leading figure in Hawke’s Bay’s vibrant music scene. Danica Bryant Hawke’s Bay’s very ...