FIVE Papua New Guinea (PNG) artists are ready to take Honiara by storm at the inaugural Aelan Riddim Music Festival scheduled to be staged at the Pacific Crown Hotel this Saturday.
The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of music, culture and unity and will feature a mix of legendary and trending artists from PNG and Solomon Islands.
The PNG artists headlining the event include Kali Dion (Dion Kombeng), Mereani Masani, Sai Kay (Sailas Kania), Jacob Hines (Jarahn) and Tau Po’o (J Liko). They will be accompanied by the Makasi Band, featuring members Grainger Runialo, Wesley Midian, Josephat Loksi, Noah Kana Jr and Julian Semoso.
The artists were introduced at a press conference hosted by the Aelan Riddim Music Festival’s local organising committee at the Our Telekom Conference Room on Wednesday.
During the event, they shared their excitement about participating in the festival and connecting with fellow Melanesian musicians.
Event Director Terence Rini highlighted the festival’s vision of uniting Melanesian artists and musicians.
“This is the first-ever Aelan Riddim Music Festival, and we’re proud to launch it here in Solomon Islands. Our goal is to expand it to other Melanesian countries in the future,” he said.
The festival will feature a star-studded line-up, with 15 local Solomon Islands artists joining the five PNG performers.
Amongst the Solomon Islands legends and rising stars are Cottsi, Jammin, Rosie Delma, Ghemu, Ramo, Kool Roosts, Kekene, Wally Pazzi, Small Axe, Max Lulu, JAG, Solid T, Solkisz, Lite Life and Onetox.
“With the PNG and Solomon Islands artists performing, it’s going to be an unforgettable night of music and culture,” Rini added.
The festival will kick off at 6 pm on Saturday and run until 2am on Sunday. The PNG artists will open the show, setting the stage for a night of electrifying performances.
Kali Dion, a seasoned PNG artist, expressed his excitement about performing in Honiara.
“I’ve worked with many Solomon Islands artists like Seanrii, Chris Young, and Baka Solomon, so it’s great to be here. Meeting legends like Wally Pazzi and JAG, whose music I grew up listening to, is a dream come true,” he said.
Mereani Masani, the only female artist in the PNG line-up, shared her enthusiasm.
“I’ve been in the music industry for 10 years, and this festival is a milestone in my journey. It feels like home here, and I can’t wait to jam with everyone on Saturday,” she said.
For Tau Po’o (J Liko), the festival holds special significance. With a PNG father and a mother from Malaita Province in Solomon Islands, he described the event as a homecoming.
“I’m thankful to the Aelan Riddim Music Festival for bringing me back to perform in my homeland for the first time,” he said.
The Aelan Riddim Music Festival aims to showcase the rich musical heritage of Melanesia, bringing together artists from PNG and Solomon Islands on one stage.
Event Director Terence Rini extended his gratitude to the festival’s sponsors, including Our Telekom, Tourism Solomons, Coke Studio, Pacific CrownHotel and Air Niugini for their support in making the event possible.
Don’t miss this historic celebration of Melanesian music and culture! Tickets are available now for what promises to be an unforgettable night.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
