Common Kings play to capacity crowd in Auckland gig

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US-based Pacific band The Common Kings drew a capacity crowd at the Powerstation on Mt Eden Rd last night.

The band, whose members are based in Hawai’i and California, draw on Island influences as well as reggae, soul and heavy rock for their music.

They were playing in Auckland as part of a five date promotional tour for their new album Lost in Paradise.

Most of the audience at the gig were Polynesian.

Common Kings last visited New Zealand in early 2016.

Before that they had played as the opening act for Justin Timberlake in 2014.

They recently completed a sell-out tour headlining across America.

The Common King’s drummer, Jerome Taito, is from Tonga and the band played at the king’s coronation celebrations in July 2015.

The other members of the band include guitarist Taumata Grey (Samoa), bassist Ivan Kirimaua (Fiji/Kiribati), drummer Jerome Taito and singer Sasualei “JR King” Maliga (Samoa/Hawai‘i).

The band attributes the richness of their island heritage as a strength that brings both diversity and harmony.

“‘Kings’ is reflective of how we feel about ourselves. We take great pride in our culture and where we come from, but we also try not to take ourselves too seriously,” Kirimaua said in a recent interview.

The main points

  • US-based Pacific band The Common Kings drew a capacity crowd at the Powerstation in Auckland last night.
  • They were playing in Auckland as part of a five date promotional tour for their new album Lost in Paradise.
  • Common Kings last visited New Zealand shores in early 2016.

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