22-year-old Liz Vamarasi is the ninth finalist in the 2024 edition of Pacific Break, the song contest for the Pacific.
Liz Vamarasi is the third artist from Fiji to be announced as a finalist in Pacific Break 2024. The 22-year-old singer is competing in the contest with the song “Malele” which is performed in the iTaukei language.
Speaking to ABC Pacific she explained that her song was written by last year’s Pacific Break winner Ju Ben, adding that:
“As I heard it, I liked it and I said, we have to record this. So we went to the studio and recorded it and it dropped a few months later,”
The participants and songs announced as competing in Pacific Break 2024 to date are:
- Fiji – Francisco Bhagwan – “Take Your Time”
- Fiji – Kali Tui – “Nanumi Au”
- Fiji – Liz Vamarasi
- Guam – Microchild – “Canopy”
- Marshall Islands – Carnie Reimers – “Stars Collide”
- Papua New Guinea – Tarvin Toune – “Rosie”
- Papua New Guinea – Tyron Scott – “Adore You”
- Solomon Islands – Lester Bibao Kisina – “All Work Out”
- Vanuatu/Solomon Islands – Vanessa Quai feat. Young Davies- “Hemi Oraet”
Pacific Break
Pacific Break is the largest music competition in the Pacific region, it is open to unsigned artists living in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. The contest is organised by ABC Pacific and has been held since 2008, it returned in 2022. The past winners are:
- 2008 – Vanuatu – 26 Roots – “Broken Promises”
- 2009 – Papua New Guinea – Emmanuel Mailau – “Children”
- 2010 – Solomon Islands – III Kings – “You Alone Me Magnify”
- 2011 – Fiji – BSQ – “Rue Ele Ele remix”
- 2012 – Cook Islands – Jaik Berg – “My Oh My”
- 2022 – Papua New Guinea – Danielle – “Fight”
- 2023 – Fiji – Ju Ben – “Sema Mai”
The jury that will determine the winner of the 2024 edition is as follows:
- Ngaiire – Papua New Guinea born Australian musician
- Hau Latukefu – ABC Radio Australia presenter
- Sose Fuamoli – ABC Radio Australia presenter
- Rick Howe – ABC Radio Australia presenter
The winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to perform at WOMADelaide. The contest has launched the careers of singers across the Pacific region opening up performances and concerts. The winner will be revealed on October 2 on ABC Radio Australia’s Nesia Daily.
Image Source: Liz Vamarasi | Source: ABC
