Photo: Peter McIntosh
Jamie McCaskill
Maori Sidesteps
What led to the group’s formation in 2016?
A group of mates wanting to work together to create a fun Maori showband.
What can the audience expect on the night?
A crack up. A sing-along and a touch of Aotearoa nostalgia.
Have you always been a fan of the likes of the Howard Morrison Quartet and John Rowles, whose works you relive?
Absolutely. And not just these two examples but a massive range of Maori entertainers.
Why do you think these songs are important?
Maori Showbands played a hugely important part of our country’s history — putting Maori entertainment on the map! The songs in our show take the audience on a nostalgic journey with a touch of current affairs, political satire and a lot of laughs.
What fresh take do you bring to these artists’ songs?
We like to do parodies of songs similar to what the Howard Morrison Quartet did. We take a familiar tune and pack it with crack up and Maori Sidesteps messages.
What response do you get to your show from audiences?
The audiences are usually quite vocal. They sing along and laugh along and are still laughing and singing long after they leave the theatre, it’s a good time. We’d buy a ticket to watch ourselves!
Is this the group’s first time in Dunedin?
Yes and we’re looking forward to it, we’re packing our winter woollies!
What sort of costumes can we expect for your show?
Well, we don’t wear suits! You’ll have to come along to the show to see our unique costumes by Wellington designer Suzanne Tamaki.
