This October, two of Aotearoa’s brightest talents come together for a one-night-only double headline show in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
On Saturday, October 18th, 60s soul, funk, and R&B revivalists Romi Wrights & the Commotions join forces with fellow niu-wave sonic explorers LEAO for their debut headline performances in the capital.
Don’t miss this celebration of era-blending, electrifying Pacific journeys through sound.
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LEAO
Formed from a Pacific heart, LEAO is a Samoan musical project led byguitarist/vocalist David Feauai-Afaese, joined by bassistNavakatoa Tekela-Pule, Hawaiian-steel guitarist Levi Gemmell, and drummer Larsen Tito-Taylor.
With a deep adoration for Pacific musical reference points and a desire to explore new sonic ground, LEAO synthesises non-traditional tonalities with a fa‘asamoa spirit, creating
what some have called “niu wave” and “Pacific neo-psychedelia.”
A creative enigma and phenomenal live act since the release of their critically acclaimed debut GHOST ROADS in 2019, LEAO has continued to expand its vision with the 2024 single TAEAO / MEA UMA - a sparkling glimpse into a significant body of alternative Pacific music currently in development. The group is now actively
working towards the release of a new full-length album, deepening their bold contribution to contemporary Pacific sound.
Romi Wrights
Although she grew up on the sensibilities of US RnB and Hip-hop, when the Tokelauan singer-songwriter Romi Wrights shares her voice, it’s hard not to feel transported back to the spirit of the late 1960s soul/funk era by her incandescent melodies and stirring
stories of love, loss and the confusion that lies in between. Raised between Porirua and the Hutt Valley, Romi started writing diaristic poetry at age eight before beginning to set her words to music during her teenage years.
After finishing high school, she moved to Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) to study music at the EXCEL School of Performing Arts and pursue her dreams of being a singer. Several years later she formed the gospel, funk and soul band The Elected, who spent three years performing at venues like Portland Public House, Kings Arms and Golden Dawn.
Since 2021, she has been working alongside Mānuka Recordings co-founder Kenny Sterling and a cast of session musicians and backing vocalists, including Julien Dyne, Cory Champion, Olivia Wilding, JY Lee. In December 2023, Wrights opened for soul legend Lee Fields, at the Hollywood Avondale, and has since performed twice at Pōneke festival CubaDupa.
Via Mānuka Recordings, she has released 3 singles; Bring It Back, Without You and Capsized and has an album scheduled for release mid to late 2025.
