THE inaugural Aelan Riddim Music Festival (ARMF), held at the Pacific Crown Hotel on Saturday night was nothing short of a thrilling showcase of the vibrancy of Melanesian music.
The event brought together legendary and trending artists from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands on one stage, celebrating Melanesian music, cultures and solidarity.
ARMF Event Director Terence Rini expressed his delight at the festival’s success, saying that the turnout exceeded expectations.
“This is the inaugural show, yet it was a massive event that united legendary and trending artists from PNG and the Solomon Islands,” Rini added.
He said the festival attracted a packed crowd, with many Honiara residents purchasing last-minute tickets to attend.
Rini also revealed plans for the next ARMF, which could be hosted in Vanuatu, PNG, Fiji, or another Melanesian country.
He extended his gratitude to fans and residents of Honiara for their overwhelming support and emphasised that the festival’s success was successful because of their attendance.
The event was supported by several key sponsors, including Our Telekom, Tourism Solomons, PNG Coke Studio Coca Cola, Pacific Crown Hotel and Air Niugini.
Rini specifically acknowledged Coke Studio for its sponsorship, which he said is the first assistance the brand has given to an event outside of PNG.
The festival featured five headline artists from PNG: Kali Dion, Mereani Masani, Saii Kay, Jarahn and Tau Likoniau Po’o Jr (J-Liko). They were accompanied by the Makasi Band, which included members Grainger Runialo, Wesley Midian, Joseph Loksi, Noah Kana Jr, and Julian Semoso. These artists are set to depart the country back to PNG today.
They were joined by a lineup of legendary and trending Solomon Islands artists, including DJ Tanz, Cottsi, Jammin, Rosie Delmah, Ghemu, Ramo, Kool Roots, Kekene, Wally Pazzi, Small Axe, Max Lulu, JAG, Solid T, Solkisz, Lite Life, and Onetox.
For some of the veteran artists, this marked their first live performance in years, delighting fans who were thrilled to see them share the stage with PNG’s top talents.
The festival kicked off at 6pm on Saturday and ran until 2am Sunday, offering an unforgettable night of music and cultural exchange.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
