Tomorrow People ADD

"New Zealand is flush with reggae bands of all descriptions, including many young ones vying for an audience and a record deal. But it’s Wellington’s Tomorrow People – named after the song by Bob Marley’s son Ziggy – that’s been the biggest success story.”
            – The Dominion Post, NZ

With a goal to sit amongst the top tier of New Zealand musicians, TOMORROW PEOPLE achieved exactly that in less than 2 years since their birth in 2010. Several years later, they have cemented themselves in the commercial music scene after releasing 2 full length albums, 2 EPs, 40 radio singles, 21 music videos and 5 music features with other artists. 2018 saw them release their fourth body of work, the 8-track EP “BBQ Reggae”. This EP debuted at #1 in the New Zealand Top 40, knocking English superstar Ed Sheeran off the top spot and giving the reggae outfit one of their biggest achievements to date. In their home studio hangs a Platinum plaque for their award winning debut ‘ONE’ and a Gold plaque for a collaboration project that they led.

A studio project turned live stage show, the 7-piece band are purveyors of what they describe as ‘sunshine reggae’. Focused on providing a mid-tempo sound that, while clearly reggae-centric, adds touches of dancehall ragga to its colour. It is a sound built around strong vocals, soothing harmonies, catchy hooks, aggressive ragga raps, and feel good riddims.

Labeled by some as the hardest working band in the country, this is likely due to the fact that Tomorrow People wrote, recorded, produced and mixed all their music themselves. Or it may be because they edit their own videos, design their own artwork, manage their own strategies, devise their own marketing plans and book their own tours, all while holding down full time day jobs.

But the bands strength does not only lie with the 25 million plus views they have amassed on YouTube, the key to their rise is noticeable in their dynamic live performance. With a diverse sound using multiple lead vocalists, the band take their listeners on a live journey and keep them wanting more. The effect becomes clear when you see their touring schedule selling out, and festival invitations recurring year after year. With multiple appearances at New Zealand’s premiere events such as Homegrown, Rhythm n Vines, One Love and Raggamuffin, the band is showing no signs of slowing down. .

2021 will see them begin their #FirstFridays campaign where they are on a mission to release one song on the first Friday of each month. Looks like it will be another busy year for the team.

TOMORROW PEOPLE
Fredwyn Kisona – Vocals + BVs
Duane Te Whetu – Drums
Snow Chase – Vocals + BVs, Guitar
Avina Kelekolio (front) – Vocals, Ukulele, Percussion
Tana Tupai (back) – Keyboard + BVs
Hennie Tui – Bass
Te Aranga Savage – Vocals + BVs