THIS year the music world lost icons like David Bowie, George Michael, Prince and Leonard Cohen, as well as Merle Haggard, George Martin, Glenn Frey, Bobby Vee and Sharon Jones, among many others.
Here in Fiji, the industry lost jazz guitarist Desmond Dass and Victor ‘Carlos’ Kamoe, who earned his nickname during his stint at the Golden Dragon in the 1980s and with reggae band Exodus in the years thereafter.
The one event, however, that bound all musicians and people together in 2016 was the charity event held to raise funds for those affected by Severe TC Winston.
When the Category 5 storm swept through the country in late February, it left behind a trail of death, devastation and destruction.
It was the biggest storm to have made landfall in the southern hemisphere and the biggest natural disaster to have hit the country in recent years.
Fourty-four people lost their lives, about 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and more than 350,000 people were affected.
And responding to the nation’s call for help and healing, 40 bands, individual artistes and performers put their hands up when the Fiji Performing Rights Association hosted Rise Up Fiji — a fundraiser for the survivors of the Category 5 storm.
Even groups that hailed from parts of the country most affected by Winston put their recovery efforts aside to perform at the 10-hour marathon music fiesta.
More than $17,300 was raised by the estimated 22,000 people who turned up at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva on Saturday, March 5, to see their favourite bands perform.
The event was an emotional roller-coaster ride. The devastation and loss of lives caused by TC Winston was still raw. Images of those who died and those who had lost everything left many in tears. The occasion allowed grief to transform into smiles and cheers on that day, when the music which was played for free, drew thousands together, showcased the strength and unity of the people.
The people turned out in numbers to show those suffering that they were not alone.
Event organiser and FPRA executive Seru Serevi said the concert was staged for two reasons.
“Firstly, it was to show the people who were affected that we all cared about them,” he said.
“Whatever little we had, we were willing to give to those who had lost loved ones and those who had lost everything.
“And I am so proud of our musicians from one of the most affected areas — Voqa Ni Delai Dokidoki, Malumu Ni Tobu and Savu Ni Delai Lomai — who are all from Koro Island. Their participation in the show is what we musicians are all about.
“Secondly, we thought what better way to bring some healing than through the power of music and we would like to thank all the people who turned up and all the sponsors that contributed towards the fundraiser.”
Next up was the Fiji Performing Rights Association’s 2016 Music Awards.
Held on Saturday May 14 at the Grand Pacific Hotel, FPRA decided to go ahead with the show despite the destruction caused by Winston as a sign of the resilience of the Fijian people.
And the show kicked off with homage to God by former contemporary artiste turned pastor, Sekope Raikoro. Giving thanks and praise to the Almighty was the order of the night as George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso and Paulini Curuenavuli both performed gospel numbers that brought the audience to a pin-drop silence with their stirring vocals.
Rako Pasefika took home four of the most coveted awards including Best New Artiste, Best Composition for Hanua Helava, Best English Song for Mama Earth and the International Achievement Award.
The Best Gospel Song award went to Faith Harvest Worship for the song Jisu sa Voleka Mai while Inside Out scooped the Most Popular Song award for Sweet Talking.
Lyrical twister Dave Lavaki took home the Best Hip Hop Song award for Stir It Up, Most Popular Music Video went to Kula Kei Uluivuya for Noqu Senikau and Best iTaukei Song was given to Nasio Domoni for Na Veikilai Lekaleka Mosimosi.
Kahawa Gaile Saawara by Pranil Sami Don was voted the Best Hindi Song.
Voqa Ni Delai Dokidoki won Artiste of the Year and founder Etonia Lote was also awarded the Outstanding Service to Fijian Music accolade.
Inducted into the FPRA Hall of Fame were Semi Goneyali, Yaminiasi Gaunavou and Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba.
June marked the beginning of the Kaila! Star Search talent competition and 20 youngsters were shortlisted from hundreds who turned up for auditions.
After more than 10 weeks of rigorous elimination rounds, Jai Narayan College Year 13 student Paul Volau walked away $1000 richer after scooping the Kaila! Star Search winner title for 2016 during the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival on Saturday August 14.
The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley said he was proud to represent an organisation that provided a platform for talented youths.
“Such events have a very important place in our society,” he said during his address.
“They are like windows of opportunity, but I must stress, they need the support of business houses.”
Stage Tech, in partnership with Pacific Coast Events & Promotions, hosted the first locally-organised Fiji Jazz & Blues Festival at the Holiday Inn on October 29.
Titled “At Tom’s Place”, the show paid tribute to jazz guitar legend Tom Mawi.
Stage Tech managing director Jerry Vatuwaqa said the annual event would focus on the people who had helped shape the jazz and blues music scene in the country.
Among the artistes who performed were guitarists Robert Verma, Maxie Columbus and Nesbitt Hazelman, vocalists Laisa Vulakoro, Eni Mawi, Dave Stephen and Steve Makaba.
The live music action shifted to Pacific Harbour in November for the Corona Uprising Festival of Music, Dance and Lights.
Nine years running, the festival is a feast of live music, deejays and food with a good mix of local and international acts.
Without a doubt, the biggest music event this year was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on November 12 when music duo Nem and Talei presented their outstanding show — A Tribute to the Classics.
The inaugural show paid homage to the composers and lyricists who penned some of the country’s most memorable iTaukei hits.
The audience got to hear via an amazing audio-visual experience the stories behind songs like Percy Bucknell’s Isa My Dia, Eremasi Tamanisau’s E Na Dela Ni Wai Siliva and Ratu Tevita Naulivou’s I Ra Na Gone Ni Bula Ni Yadra (Kau Ni Meli).
The highlight of the night, however, was a performance by the last remaining survivor of The Phoenix Choir, Ilisapeci Tamani.
Her duet with Talei Draunibaka on a song that she composed about her daughter, Yalo E Veiciriyaki, moved the entire audience to tears.
Performers that night also included Black Rose members Freddy Kado and Gus Evening, William ‘Bigwilz’ Waqanibaravi and Phil Dakei from Makare, Apakuki Nalawa and Inside Out, Johnny Bola and legendary crooner Jese Mucunabitu.
Fiji’s music calendar is growing and it is a sure sign that the future is bright for live music.
If the events of 2016 were anything to go by, 2017 looks to be a year that holds a lot of promise for music, the industry, and the people who love music.
