REVIEW: Modern Maori Quartet steals the hearts of Londoners   8 Jun 2016

Charlotte Everett

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Photos courtesy of Modern Maori Quartet

Photos courtesy of Modern Maori Quartet

The Modern Maori Quartet won over the hearts of homesick Kiwis and new friends with their debut London show on June 3^rd.

Fresh from their sold-out touring season with the NZ Festival, the boys embarked on their first ever tour of the UK. It was impressive to see a Kiwi act breaking into London for the first time, succeeding in packing out a venue as big as St John’s Smith Square.

James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Francis Kora and Matu Ngaropo are unquestionably accomplished showmen – and if this is the show they can deliver jetlagged, I can only imagine how incredible they must be well-rested. These guys obviously enjoy everything they do, and each other’s company – it’s impossible not to be intoxicated by them and grinning from ear to ear within seconds of them stepping out on stage. A unique mix of Kiwi nostalgia, stand up comedy and exquisite music – no showband was more deserving of such an appropriate venue.

The show was an excellent balance of Maori waiata, “old skool” garage party songs, audience interaction (the hula dance!) and cheeky anecdotes. Favourites for me where their take on Lorde’s “Royals” in te reo Maori, their mix on Dave Dobbyn’s “Oughta Be”, and a touching tribute to their mothers that they’d penned themselves. The quartet have given a contemporary spin to some old favourites, and also made some newer songs their own.

I’d be very surprised if the Modern Maori Quartet is not Aotearoa’s next big success story. Thank you for taking us all back to New Zealand without having to leave London, and we hope you’ll come back to us soon!

About the reviewer:

Charlotte Everett has been contributing to NZNewsUK as a columnist and journalist since 2011, and currently serves as London Editor – a post she has held since mid-2013. She has been based in London since mid-2007 and is an active member of London’s Kiwi community, also serving as one of the current Vice Presidents of the NZ Society UK. She has a broad writing portfolio, including music/entertainment, theatre reviews, travel, rugby, Kiwi success, vegan food, and WW100/ANZAC. She is also an experienced freelance tour guide, and leads city walks across London several times a week. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook or WordPress.

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