SOL3 MIO - Gig Review: Christmas in The Vines @ Villa Maria Winery, Auckland - 20/12/15
A near capacity crowd of 8500 gathered at the picturesque Villa Maria Estate for another dose of the much loved musical encounter that is Sol3 Mio. This time the boys were backed by the wonderful Auckland Symphony Orchestra and who warmed their instruments with the perfect intro of Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flower Fairies. When the 3 boys hit the stage the audience were collectively focused to the stage and the aural music emanating to the evening. Their smiles were wide and their voices were strong, and as the sun set we were all exposed to the full impact of their powerful voices and their boyish antics that are now synonymous with their act.
After three traditional Christmas tunes we were awarded the full dramatic opera treatment sung with stunning beauty and emotion, with Pene and Amitai's better halves, Amina Edris and Isabella Moore performing beautiful solo's and then two duets with their partners, introduced by Pene cheekily saying the ladies get more applause. Pene and his fiancé joyfully explained the story behind their duet which set the mood and as the sun set this segment really fitted the occasion and the environment which transported everyone gratifyingly.
A return to the more jovial banter was quickly returned with a wonderfully operatic version of Tom Jones's classic Delilah, which was very well received. Another shift in atmosphere was achieved with the beautifulMaria, I was taking in the ambience from the back amongst the vines and the sweet sound of this classic was soothing and transcendent. Then after the compulsory selfie the wonderful O Holy Night took us out to the intermission sung with tender and heartfelt harmonies that made sure everyone hung around for a second helping.
3 more Christmas Carols were performed including the classic Silent Night which was a real treat, followed by Moses Mackay telling us about his father's love of singing and how grateful he was of his Dad's guidance and inspiration into the world of music, and so when he encouraged his father to join him on stage to perform the Elvis classic Can't Help Falling in Love the sighs of love from the masses was unanimous.
That’s Amore was a fun filled delight, 10 Guitars was performed and received with much passion and Volaresounded like it was written for them. The night was getting dark and they took the time to thank their much travelled manager Scott McLaughlin who recently was given Priority One by Air NZ! With the perfect Segway Sol3 Mio announced that this will be an annual event, so it looks like Scott will be in Auckland every Christmas singing I'll Be Home For Christmas.
Interestingly the Encore saw two covers from mainstream artists with Coldplay's Fix You and Ed Sheeran's I See Fire which sounded marvellous. The finale was the delightful Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a great song performed with just a solitary guitar, played by Moses, their arrangement showcased each voice beautifully and then the power of their combined harmonies proved where their true allure lies, a combining of talent and texture that is rare and special, and everyone here was appreciating it immensely.
About SOL3 MIO
In some respects their backgrounds are typical – families moving over from Samoa to seek a better life in New Zealand and having to make sacrifices in the process, as well as finding value in music, choirs, hard work and an ability to see the absurdity in life. However, what they have made of these solid, but modest, beginnings is anything but average. Amongst their numerous awards and accolades Pene was the 2010 NZ Performer Of The Year, Amitai won the 2012 Lexus Song Quest and Moses was recognized as an Emerging Artist by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation last year. Though all three have studied for Bachelor Of Music graduates from the University of Auckland, the foundations of the stagecraft that they have added to exceptional raw talent, also comes from a crammed musical CV that spans everything from weekly childhood performances in rest homes, to backing George Benson. It was when Moses and Pene sang in the choir behind Andrea Bocelli in 2008, that their eyes and ears were fully opened to the possibilities of opera, setting them on a course that would lead to the formation of SOL3 MIO, three years later.
Performing together as a trio at Pene’s farewell, after he had been selected to attend the prestigious Wales International Academy Of Voice, an audience member piped up and suggested they should form a group – laughed off at the time, the idea took hold. Within a year, all three had been individually chosen to go to Wales for tuition under the highly esteemed Dennis O’Neill – an incredible opportunity but also one with a combined cost of over $100,000. Rolling their sleeves up, they launched SOL3 MIO with a series of fundraisers, that began with high stress in a half filled hall in Massey High School, and concluded with a triumphant show at a sold out Auckland Town Hall in October 2012 – funds sorted. Now with a self-titled album of their work, beginning naturally with the eponymous Neapolitan song, and ending with a rousing We Are Samoa, the stage is set for the next chapter in what is already, an extraordinary story.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for SOL3 MIO
Releases
Other Reviews By Andrew Smit
Album Review: 1 Drop Nation
20 Dec 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Opening with a very spiritual Maori haka Intro - Waerea, we were introduced to the opening track Homeland, which is an unashamedly patriotic Aotearoa anthem with repeated strains of "We are one nation". This is a track that proudly declares love for home, while also being a rally call for the future.
Read More...
Tahini Bikini - Album Review: Fever Dream
15 Nov 2022 // by Andrew Smit
An album full of very danceable funk tunes, loaded with tight guitar, bass, brass and percussion that provide a perfect foundation for the expressive soulful vocals of Madeline Lucy Taylor. Her unique clarity is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or our own Kiwi songstress Gin Wigmore.
Read More...
Haze Lane - Single/Video Review: Natural Feeling
22 Aug 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Matching the songs title very aptly South Auckland indie band Haze Lane has produced Natural Feeling, a very organic song that does indeed deliver a very smooth natural feeling. The ultra-cool ambient sound is reminiscent to the early roots sound of Six60 and L.
Read More...
Gig Review: Anthonie Tonnon @ Hollywood Cinema, Auckland - 14/05/2022
16 May 2022 // by Andrew Smit
On a coolish Saturday evening it was great to see a rather large crowd that clearly were so happy and eager to experience a night of live music, and what a perfect venue to stage it at the slightly musty but still majestic Hollywood Cinema in Avondale. Opening the proceedings was the cool 4 piece band Lips with their ambient 80’s groove thanks to the techno synth sounds from keyboardist and singer Steph Brown.
Read More...
Vogel Town - Single Review: Sludge City
24 Apr 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Interestingly Vogel Town's new song Sludge City begins with an automated telephone voice, and then a street argument which is soon accompanied by a very groovy walking bass line, quickly growing from just a couple of notes to a broad melody of its own. At first the only addition is some nice, nonchalant drum fills, but as the background street noise fades away, the introduction of vibrant reverberating guitar strums adds a final element that completes the ensemble perfectly, and altogether this provides a very cool bluesy vibe.
Read More...
SKRAM - Single Review: Living Our Lives
22 Mar 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Beginning with some straightforward but quite funky keys your soon steered to a very upbeat and chunky ensemble of music that energetically drives along with its super groovy reggae vibe. SKRAM are a very high energy 3-piece pop group that have delivered a fine tune that embodies their claim of “energetic” perfectly.
Read More...
Tomorrow People - Album Review: 21
02 Jan 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Tomorrow People have produced a wonderful assemblage of uplifting reggae tunes that are performed and sung with heart and purpose. All 16 tracks are packed with brilliant harmonies that are propelled along by the glorious uplifting off beat rhythmic delight that reggae music delivers so well.
Read More...
Torn Chorus - Single/Video Review: This City Floats
10 Sep 2021 // by Andrew Smit
From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- TOO SWEET
Hozier - BEAUTIFUL THINGS
Benson Boone - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
Artemas - SATURN
SZA - STICK SEASON
Noah Kahan - END OF BEGINNING
Djo - LIKE THAT
Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
Ariana Grande
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
