LA LA LA FAMILY FESTIVAL CELEBRATES WOMEN IN MUSIC FEATURING ANIKA MOA, VALKYRIE, LIPS & MORE!
La La La festival hosted in Whanganui on February 18 boasts an incredible line-up, celebrating women in music from Whanganui and around Aotearoa including Anika Moa, Valkyrie, Lips, Ripple Effect, The Flow Collective and Sophie Toyne.
La La La is a whānau friendly event with free tickets for under 16 year olds. Alongside a diverse musical programme there are all sorts of other activities on offer for a fun day out with the family.
La La La is held in conjunction with the La Fiesta Women's Festival, and is the second whānau day in the Lost Art Summer in the Square series.
Event organiser Gioia Damosso shares "As a female promoter it is so exciting for me to be able to create an event celebrating women in music and also take part in the wonderful women's festival that is La Fiesta. La La La is the perfect event for the whole whānau with an array of family friendly activities and an amazingly diverse line up of musicians from all over Aotearoa!"
Singer-songwriter Anika Moa is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated music artists. She has released six studio albums, been nominated for numerous awards, and won four NZ Music Awards – including Best Female Vocalist. As well as her pop albums, Anika has also had three wildly successful children’s albums titled Songs For Bubbas. Anika’s sharp wit and hilarious banter have also made waves on television, radio and online. After 20 years of performing live, it’s pretty clear Anika knows not only how to hold a crowd but also to entertain one.
Valkyrie, is a 4 piece pop/rock band formed in Auckland, New Zealand. Valkyrie crafts a wide range of escapist and original songs written about real life experiences. On stage they explode with raw energy, precision and audience participation. They have recently played a nationwide tour, favorites at Splore Festival (3x), Soundsplash festival and opening for New Zealand's biggest band Six60 (2021).
2022 Taite Music Prize nominees Lips is a four-piece music group from Tāmaki Makaurau. Their music finds its roots in the familiar melodies of homegrown Indie, the tender embrace of Synth Pop, and the humorous side-eye of American New Wave. Ultimately resulting in a sound that's a celebration of feeling awkward and embracing it anyway. The band’s song "Everything to Me" won the 2012 Silver Scroll Award.
Completing the impressive line up are local acts; Ripple Effect a 5 Piece reggae fusion band from Palmerston North, The Flow Collective bringing a show that celebrates the Whanganui River and the stories of its people, featuring traditional and contemporary musical forms, including jazz, working songs, sea shanties, folk, country and pop and Sophie Toyne a 12 year old Whanganui country singer and winner of the Junior Section at the Gore Golden Guitars 2021, Junior Overall Winner of the NZCMA Entertainer of the year 2020, runner up for Entertainer of the Year 2021 and 2022.
"The Lost Art Summer in the Square series is about reaching out to a diverse community and providing entertainment for everyone" shares Damosso. "Whanganui is often left off of touring schedules and so I am passionate about bringing artists to Whanganui who have often never had the opportunity to perform here. Held in the heart of Whanganui, we are activating the community space of Majestic Square with vibrancy with the help of world class musicians from around Aotearoa. Whanganui is on the up and up and the perfect holiday destination for a long weekend for those interested in the arts. Whether its, glass, street art, music or simply to enjoy our beautiful awa, there is plenty to see and do in Whanganui.”
Tickets on sale through EVENTBRITE
LA LA LA - Saturday February 18, 1pm - 9pm, Majestic Square, Whanganui