Big Apple's taste of Kiwifruit

By OLIVIA SKINNER

At the gates of Central Park's SummerStage in New York, an angry Fred Dagg lookalike with a bad kiwi accent kicked off a day of New Zealand entertainment: "Look how narrow-minded New York has become everybody! You can't take a camera in. Unbelievable!"

This was a high-security gig. No guns, grenades, bombs or video cameras allowed inside the venue. The enraged kiwi left, the rest of us hid our cameras.

SummerStage is New York's major outdoor music venue in the middle of Manhattan's green oasis. Sunday was the first New Zealand Sounds day - a gig organised by the NZ Music Industry Commission and Trade NZ after the success of last year's World Series industry showcase.

The day came loaded with expectations. We were told that the gig could attract up to 20,000 people. We were told to get there two hours early to secure a spot on the fake grass lawn. Turns out we didn't have to. Come showtime and Christchurch trio Pine opened to about 500 people.

The numbers probably rose to about 1000, plus a few discerning pigeons. However, it became evident that most were ex-pat New Zealanders showing their support, unbeknown to rapper King Kapisi, who spent much of his time explaining what kia ora means and where Piha is.

When he finally asked how many kiwis were in the crowd and almost everyone raised their hand, he was a little taken aback - although the abundance of pounamu, bone-carvings and mokos kind of gave it away.

The gig was marketed as a kaleidoscopic tour through NZ music - a big call considering there were only four acts: Pine, Wai, King Kapisi and Greg Johnson. Still, those selected represented New Zealand well. Pine's simple, refreshing line-up of organ, electric guitar and snare drum was at times mesmerising. They were, in the words of one of the few New Yorkers sitting behind me, "goa-jis". Their short, sweet indie rock tunes held the attention of the crowd, even if their minimalist sound was a little lost in the vast space before them.

Maori electronica group Wai were introduced by the president of SummerStage as the "May-er-ee" item and began their set with a much anticipated waiata. Wai's world music mix of modern beats mixed with traditional Maori song was as dramatic and haunting as it was unusual. Sampled organic rhythms - the sounds of poi and body slapping fused with funk and grooves are unlike anything heard here before. Mina Ripia's cries echoed outside the parameters of SummerStage to confused passers-by, unaccustomed to Te Reo Maori. Ripia was obviously endearingly overjoyed to be performing and consequently invited the crowd back to her whare in Wellington.

Kiwi music icon Greg Johnson proved his musical prowess again, showcasing his tight set of new tunes recorded in LA. Perhaps because of his US immersion, at times his vocal quality resembled chilled-out US rocker Dave Matthews. Much to the Kiwi crowd's delight he performed Don't Wait Another Day and his unmistakable velvety tones re-emerged. His new melodic ballad Sunny Day felt particularly appropriate given the summer weather. The smooth harmonies and beautifully intertwined keyboard and guitar in this and other tracks impressed onlookers, who scurried for autographs after his set.

Rapping up the day was MC King Kapisi, who passionately preached the history of hip-hop between lyrical treats such as Elemental Forces and Stompin'. For those not familiar with beat-boxing, Kapisi performed an impressive demonstration accompanied by ITF New Zealand champ DJ Manchoo.

Always confident and comfortable on stage, Kapisi rapped like his American idols, dissed President Bush and forced the crowd to their feet with his energetic mix of drum'n'bass, reggae and Aotearoa/old school hip-hop, proving why there is only one King.