ABC: Entries are open for the Pacific’s biggest music competition, ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break, which officially launched in Samoa over the weekend with a huge, live concert at Friendship Park, Apia, headlined by Solomon Islands superstar Chris Kamu’ana Rohoimae.
Thousands of Samoan fans enjoyed performances from the Solomon Islands’ 2024 Pacific Break winner as well as Samoan favourites Mr Cowboy and Tofaga Meke and Pacific Break past winners JuBen (Fiji) and Danielle (Papua New Guinea).
Chris’s stirring vocals paired with traditional panpipes sparked cheers and applause from the crowd, as the Solomon Islander performed an emotional rendition of his Pacific Break winning song Naratana manu.
Chris says winning the competition inspired him to pursue his ambitions after dropping out of school.
“When I came to [win] Pacific Break, the first thing that motivated me was to push my career as a musician and to find more opportunities outside, and I’ve managed to.”
“For me, it’s just the beginning. It’s not just about singing. It’s a job.”
The concert was produced in partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority and recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio Australia and ABC Australia television.
ABC Radio Australia’s Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow also joined forces with homegrown Samoan hero Young Sefa as MC’s to keep the crowd entertained through the night.
The launch concert in Apia kicked 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.
Fijian-born musician and solo artist of Gang of Youths fame Joji Malani joins the judging panel this year, alongside PNG-born Australian musician Ngaiire who rejoins 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.
