7 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

SOL3 MIO - Gig Review: Christmas in the Vines @ Villa Maria Winery 21/12/14

23 Dec 2014 // A review by Andrew Smit

It’s safe to say a good percentage of the 7000 odd crowd that had gathered to see Sol3 Mio were not opera buffs but were more mainstream “converts” who had seen and heard a lot of the positive publicity on NZ television and were curious and excited at the prospect of checking them out live. Would the experience meet the heightened expectations? First on stage was Pene Pati, followed by his cousin Moses Mackay and then Pene’s brother Amitai Pati, starting with their signature tune Sole Mio, singularly their voices are so beautiful, very powerful yet so smooth and calming, but when their voices combine in perfect harmony it was an instantaneous delight that you could never get sick of experiencing live. The rapport and bond these three have formed is obvious, and the almost constant cheeky boyish antics were so joyous and infectious, and of course very entertaining, incredibly all that comic behaviour transpired while they were nailing the most awesome harmonies and melodies the music world has ever produced. The power of their harmonies could be intensified by them just moving their heads in unison, they had us all under their spell and we were content we had done well to make the trip to their backyard in Mangere to spend some time with them. And so after just two more songs we were informed that we are now going to hear from some special guests the initial feelings were, well disappointment, we now only wanted our Samoan brothers, but that was soon extinguished when we were treated to two of the most exquisite operatic voices you could imagine, Isabella Moore and Amina Edris are truly world class talents and their rendition of Lakme's Flower Duet (better known as the British Airways Theme) was spine tingling. Both of these resplendent ladies are the partners of Pene and Amitai, could this get any more romantic?  Before we could ponder their relationships any further we were back to the Sol3 Mio experience with two stirring songs, Amazing Grace and You’ll Never Walk Alone. We now had a half hour intermission which most spent in the queues for the portaloos. With everyone now eagerly awaiting the next fix.

The second coming was filled with delightful Christmas Carols, like Silent Night, Home for Christmas, Little Drummer Boy and White Christmas, the evening was getting dark and the stage lights were coming to great effect, the crowd were encouraged to wave their newly acquired glow sticks which looked wondrous from every angle. Almost every song had a little story which the boys lovingly shared with good humour and there was also many heartfelt song dedications from their Manager to their Mum. We were treated to That’s Amore with the guys on guitars and double bass, which they played dutifully while getting us all to sing along, with many well-placed comical lyric changes and additions about drinking too much wine (and how it will get you drunk)! We were shown how useful and practical a Sol3 Mio tea towel could be with Pene making good use of one to wipe his face while he re-counted that he is a shy boy and was now much happier that it was dark and he couldn’t see all our faces, but we soon were treated to the real reason for his nervous demeanour.

Earlier Pene and his partner Amina Edris performed a love duet together so when Pene mentioned that he wanted to sing a German aria to her, we didn’t at first suspect anything more was going on, but hints of the potential started to surface when the screens began to show pictures of the couple over the years from around the world, including some wonderful shots at Disneyland. The audience were getting audibly excited specially when Pene started to talk about their last three years together, you could hear 7000 people gasp with anticipation when he introduced to the stage their respective parents and families to the stage, it was almost pandemonium when he proceed to get down on one knee and say “you are my heart's delight, will you marry me?” Amina took a step back, composed herself and then accepted the proposal, which was understandably greeted with unanimous applause and cheering, with many tears shed from the now completely adoring audience. How could you possibly follow that up? Well in true Sol3 Mio style the boys managed that quite well by performing a brilliant version of Beauty and the Beast to a now cuddling couple.

The whole evening was special indeed, the music was outstanding with a highlight being Claire Caldwell on the grand piano and how well she kept in perfect sync with the three boys wandering crooning. Earlier we were entertained by the very likeable Benny Tipene, who performed his charming original songs with great style, his smooth voice and superb folk guitar playing was a perfect tonic for the relaxed crowd as they sampled their cheese platters with a bottle of Villa Maria’s finest grape juice.

It was a very enchanted evening and we all felt proud of our local boys, they have worked hard and chased their dreams, and deserve every success which they are achieving around the world. They are endowed with prodigious talent that produces exhilarating music, that works so well on a big stage. They are young so there should be many more chances to experience the exceptional Sol3 Mio live, so when you get the chance I thoroughly recommend you do so.

 

About SOL3 MIO

Made up of two tenor brothers, Pene and Amitai Pati from Mangere, and their North Shore baritone cousin Moses Mackay, SOL3 MIO is the combination of three powerful and moving operatic voices, with more than a dash of uncontainable Samoan humour. By their own definition they are first and foremost ‘classical singers bridging the gap with contemporary’ , but the unique way in which they do it has already shown the potential to cut through the critical cognoscenti, and appeal to audiences who wouldn’t normally be found anywhere near an aria. Their onstage brotherly bonhomie, off the cuff banter and impeccable comedic timing is no act, simply an extension of their natural selves, and the culmination of a lifetime’s worth of singing, performing and entertaining.

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

Coming Home
Year: 2021
Type: Album
On Another Note
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Sol3 Mio
Year: 2013
Type: Album

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...
View All Articles By Andrew Smit

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
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 ProblemReport A Problem