We had fine weather over the Easter break here on Rarotonga. Ideal for outdoor activities like sports, barbecues, dining al fresco and visiting the beach. Since then we’ve also had some heavy rain showers and a couple of thunderstorms so I guess we were lucky with the holiday.
One of the organised events was the Beach Night Out, a Good Friday music festival now into its fourth year (although this is the first time I’ve come across it). It's a family occasion where people can bring a picnic and the kids and enjoy local musicians in a local environment. It was held on a sheltered section next to the beach at Nikao/Panama.
The music started round about 4pm island time and was due to go on until about 10pm. I was only able to stay for the first two groups, Triggerfish (Kura Happ and Mo Newport) and Nocturnal Habitz (Mark Franklin, Albie Marsh and Rio Taripo).
Triggerfish was the only band from the Cook Islands at this year's Pasifika festival in Auckland. Kura on vocals and acoustic guitar and Mo on drums and percussion produce what they describe as a mellow, happy sound. Their set at the festival was relaxed, enjoyable, fun. See and hear for yourself on the video which, naturally, features one of the songs I particularly liked. (For more of Kura check out 'Kura Happ at Club Raro' here.)
Acoustic classic rock trio Nocturnal Habitz has been together for about three year. Mark (rhythm guitar and vocals), Albie (lead guitar and vocals) and Rio (percussion and vocals) perform well known hits with Pacific panache. Good nostalgic stuff. They did a series of gigs in the Bay of Islands over the new year.
I wish I could have stayed longer; it would have been a great night.
