Loop are excited to be partnering with the Ōtara Music Arts Centre (OMAC) ahead of L.A.B’s massive headline performance at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
Discovered through OMAC’s Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) initiative, Loop & L.A.B are excited to announce 2018 SUSO winner and alumna, Silika Isaia, has been selected to appear on the lineup for L.A.B’s headline show in March.
An Auckland Council-backed initiative, SUSO gives young, aspiring Auckland secondary school musicians and performing artists the chance to take their first steps down the path of a career that could change their lives. Recent years have seen over 1300 students taking part in SUSO from across the Auckland region, which has become Auckland’s flagship highschool music & dance competition. Loop are excited to be partnering with OMAC to provide a platform for one of SUSO’s graduates to gain exposure to a massive audience.
Born in Samoa, raised in Christchurch and now a resident of South Auckland. Silika Isaia is a 19 year old singer-songwriter who is currently studying Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland with hopes that this will be a stepping stone towards conquering some of the worlds biggest stages. She is constantly driven by a motivated mindset, a great passion for what she does and her family, the reason behind who she is.
Identified by Loop & Gene Rivers (SUSO Project Director, Auckland Council) as an artist with a bright future, Silika will open the show when L.A.B take to the stage at Mt Smart Stadium’s Upper Field on Saturday March 27.
“We can’t wait to see what Silika brings to Mt Smart Stadium in March. The level of talent coming out of so many programmes like SUSO is crazy, and we’re really fortunate and happy to be able to help introduce someone like Silika to our audience.” - Joel Shadbolt, L.A.B.
“SUSO (Stand Up Stand Out) are very excited to see a dream realised for Silika. We look forward to new audiences having their minds blown by this soulful new talent from south Auckland. SUSO is an Auckland Council initiative that aligns to Auckland’s status as a UNESCO City of Music through its support of the city’s emerging secondary school musicians and dancers, so we are proud to work with LOOP and to establish another real world pathway for SUSO alumni.” - Gene Rivers, SUSO Project Director
“Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a UNESCO City of Music. The music of Tāmaki Makaurau expresses our unique cultural identity, particularly our Māori and Pacific identity. Our music makes Aucklanders proud and showcases our city and our talented, creative people to the rest of New Zealand and the world.” - Pam Ford, General Manager Economic Development, Auckland Unlimited
L.A.B’s biggest outdoor show to date will see them joined by an eclectic range of NZ’s finest, including Mako Road, Ladi6, Ria Hall & The Leers, a stellar homegrown lineup that will not be seen anywhere else this summer. This show is the only remaining chance for audiences to catch L.A.B this summer, with all other festival performances sold out.
L.A.B will bring summer to a close in style on Saturday 27 March at the Mt Smart Stadium Upper Field, with tickets available from Ticketmaster now, and FREE train travel included with every ticket.
Presented by Loop, with thanks to Auckland Unlimited, L&P & Mai FM.
Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster.
Full event info available HERE.
Listen/purchase L.A.B IV HERE.
