Day two of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga provided the goods with another round of teams giving it their all on stage.
The stand-out moment for many was the breathtaking soloists of Te Kuru Marutea o Te Tauihu.
Naia and Bailey’s ātaahua vocals stood out both at the festival and online as multiple clips of their performance have gone viral.
After hearing the familiar tune, some have speculated that the group performed a Māori version of Emeli Sandé’s waiata ‘Read All About It’, while others believe it to be an original composition with a similar vibe.
Regardless, the wāhine have sparked a HUGE reaction across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and the new social hub on the Te Matatini app.
“I've said this before and I'll keep saying it - Māori vocals will ALWAYS have my heart,” one TikTok commenter wrote. “It hits so different! I'm 685 to the bone 😂 but Māori vocals 🤌🏾”
“Both soloists killed it 👌🏾 fav solos so far 🔥,” another praised.
A third agreed: “I’m glad someone captured it, ‘cause damn, it was so stunning that it just kept replaying in my mind over and over. 😭✨✨”
“They weren’t playing with them vocals 🔥,” added a fourth. “Absolutely beautiful whakatū 🥰 I’ve had this on repeat all day. My favourite waiata tira ♥️”
You have to agree, we could keep watching this performance from every angle.
After yesterday's captivating and flirtatious performance from Te Whiri Kōkō o Rangitāne - and people already picking their faves of the festival - it’s going to be a tough choice for the judges when it comes to picking just 12 finalists for Friday.
