Latest news with #PacificBreak
ABC News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
A Song For My Father
A Song For My Father Watch Duration: 27 minutes 12 seconds 27 m Article share options Share this on Facebook Twitter Send this by Email Copy link WhatsApp Messenger When his father passes away, Chris kamu'ana Rohoimae is left with more than just memories, he's left with a song. Written in the days before his father's death, this deeply personal track leads Chris to win Pacific Break 2024
ABC News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Listen to the region's best music acts at Pacific Break Samoa launch concert 2025
If you missed out on the Pacific Break Samoa launch concert, don't worry. We've got you. You can listen to some of the region's best music artists, recorded live at Apia's Friendship Park in June 2025. The concert features performances from well-known Pacific Break winners – Danielle from PNG, Ju Ben from Fiji and Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae from Solomon Islands. They play alongside local Samoan acts including Mr Tee, Tofaga Meke and Mr Cowboy, at the free, family friendly event hosted by Radio Australia's Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow, and Samoa's Young Sefa. Featuring: Mr Tee Mr Tee Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae Danielle Danielle Tofaga Meke Tofaga Meke Ju Ben Ju Ben Mr Cowboy PRESENTERS: Jacob McQuire, Michael Chow SOUND ENGINEERS: Selwyn Cozens, Kristina Miltiadou
ABC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Pacific Break 2025 launches for first time in Samoa!
Entries are open for the Pacific's biggest music competition, ABC Radio Australia's Pacific Break which launched in Samoa last weekend with a huge, live concert at Friendship Park, Apia. Thousands of fans enjoyed performances from local Samoan favourites Mr Cowboy and Tofaga Meke as well as Pacific Break past winners Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae (Solomon Islands), JuBen (Fiji) and Danielle (Papua New Guinea). Samoan hip hop icon Mr Tee also made a surprise appearance, getting the crowds jumping early in the night. On the main stage, ABC Radio Australia's Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow joined forces to MC with homegrown Samoan hero Young Sefa to keep the crowd laughing through the night. The concert was produced in partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority and recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio Australia and ABC Australia television. ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR PACIFIC BREAK 2025 The launch concert in Apia kicks off a two-month search to uncover the Pacific and Timor-Leste's best original talent. Entries are now open until midnight Monday 25 August 2025. Pacific Break's top prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to perform in 2026 at WOMADelaide – Australia's largest international music, arts, and dance festival. The winning artist or group will be revealed on ABC Radio Australia's daily morning program Nesia Daily on Wednesday 16 October 2025. The judging panel for this year sees PNG-born Australian musician Ngaiire rejoin the team with ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu ( In The Fale ) and Sose Fuamoli ( Sista Sounds and On The Record ), WOMADelaide Associate director Annette Tripodi, along with new judge Joji Malani, Fijian-born musician and solo artist of Gang of Youths fame. For more information about Pacific Break 2025 judging panel, click here. HOW TO ENTER Submit your original track(s) in one of three ways; 1. Complete the Online Entry Form, available here. 2. Get in touch with our Pacific Break team via WhatsApp (+61 447 310 986) and send through your songs and info. 3. Send an email with all your details to pacificbreak@ including your music files as an attachment. For more information about Pacific Break, including competition details and terms and conditions, visit For all media enquiries, contact: Annalise Ramponi, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, ABC International We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
'So much talent': Pacific Break Samoa launch concert highlights region's best music acts
Thousands gathered under the stars at Apia's waterfront on Friday night as Samoa hosted its first Pacific Break launch concert, an event designed to spotlight emerging musical talent from across the region and officially open this year's competition. For artists like Mr Cowboy, one of Samoa's most recognisable performers, the concert was more than a showcase — it was a platform for stories and opportunity for aspiring artists. "I've always loved singing, it's something I love sharing with people, to bless their lives with my music and my story," he said. "The reason I'm involved [in Pacific Break] is because I know there is so much talent across the Pacific that could benefit from expert advice and guidance to further their music careers." Samoa's very own hip hop artist Mr Tee took the stage performing hit song Pitonuu Solosolo. ( ABC Pacific: Dinah Lewis Boucher ) Each year ABC Radio Australia hunts for the best unsigned musical talent the Pacific region has to offer through the Pacific Break competition. The concert featured performances from well-known Pacific Break winners, alongside local Samoan acts including Mr Tee, Tofaga Meke and Mr Cowboy, at the free, family friendly event at Apia's Friendship Park. Young Sefa and Nesia Daily's Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow hosted the night, which saw local crowds turn up in the thousands. The crowd brought good vibes in Apia on Friday night. ( ABC Pacific: Dinah Lewis Boucher ) In the Pacific, it's often challenging for women to launch careers in the music industry, explained singer-songwriter and 2022 Pacific Break winner Danielle. But winning the competition, she said, helped kickstart her breakout year. "It has opened doors for me beyond imagination. I've been able to perform in New Zealand, all across Australia at different performances, I've met so many other artists, so the experience is really, really good," Danielle said. Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae, Solomon Islands, was crowned Pacific Break winner last year, and Danielle, Papua New Guinea, won in 2022. ( ABC Pacific ) Talented musician and singer from the Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands, Chris Kamu'ana Rohoimae also reflected on the opportunities the competition has created. Visiting Samoa for the first time, he shared how the platform helped launch his career after winning last year, beating more than 300 entries. Fijian rapper and songwriter Ju Ben taking the Pacific Break stage. ( ABC Pacific ) Fijian artist Ju Ben, who was a sugarcane worker by day and a hip hop-reggae artist by night when he submitted his winning entry, offered encouragement to others considering entering the competition. "For all the upcoming artists wanting to enter the Pacific music competition, don't worry about what anyone thinks. If you have the talent, if you have what it takes, please enter," he said. The crowd came alive when local Samoan artist Tofaga Meke took the stage. ( ABC Pacific: Dinah Lewis Boucher ) Reflecting the shared message of the night, Young Sefa called on emerging Pacific artists to take the leap. "Creativity, originality is needed. Calling upon all our great artists, musicians, singers out there, this is your chance," Young Sefa said. "If you overthink and you don't put out any music, this is your chance for your voice of not only yourself, but your culture, to be heard." Pacific Break Samoa 2025: where the music was loud and the youth had the best moves. ( ABC Pacific: Dinah Lewis Boucher )
ABC News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Revisiting the music of Vanuatu's Yosh Shing, musician AND Olympian!
For our mid-week session of Nesia Daily, we wake up with a stack of Samoan music to keep the vibes going, as well as some great stories from the Vault. With Michael and Jacob still in Samoa ahead of launch of Pacific Break for 2025, Sose Fuamoli is back to host the show, checking in with Michael out in Apia. We revisit chats with phenomenal islander talent including Tahitian comedian, Christopher Pernat; Tongan visual and audio artist, Dr. Sione Faletau; award-winning PNG sports commentator and journalist, Jamie Haro; and Ni-Van Olympian and musician, Yosh Shing! Shing's music reached a new peak in 2025 with the release of his debut album, Island Life, a perfect record to get us through into the second half of the week. To get a taste of Shing's vibe, check out one of our fave tracks of his, 'Man Ples'.
