FIVE years after its inception, VT1s is celebrating its growth while setting its sights on expanding Fiji’s music industry across the region.
Spinning Village founders and VT1s team members Tikiko Korocowiri and Mere Korocowiri say the milestone reflects the changes in Fiji’s music scene since 2021.
“This year for us is really rare, it represents that it’s a milestone in that we are still here and that the music continues to grow,” Mr Korocowiri said.
Mrs Korocowiri said the organisation faced challenges in establishing the business side of the industry, including artist relations and royalty splits.
“A lot of the challenges of the first five years was just that informal artist relations, royalty splits, these were all things that we were trying to work out, the business aspect of it,” she said.
Mr Korocowiri said the experience had helped VT1s establish a stronger model. “But I feel like five years on we’ve got a good model. So yeah, thankful for all those challenges.”
He said international collaborations were important in helping artists access new markets.
“Collaborations are not just about the art; it’s about the business. It’s about accessing new markets and new audiences abroad.”
He said taking Fijian music overseas had been particularly meaningful.
“Every time we go into a new market, and we see people singing in Fijian, it brings us joy.”
He said music could also help preserve the Fijian language and culture.
“Music is an amazing way to keep the language alive.”
VT1s has taken its festival brand to Papua New Guinea and hopes to expand its model across Fiji and the wider Melanesian region.
VT1S singers with New Zealand artist Myshaan with other artists during the VT1S Concert in Suva. Picture: Timoci Dawai
