Boiler Room rocked Rarotonga on Saturday night with a capacity crowd taking over the beachside venue of 21.3 Vaianas - playing to a potential viewership of 4 million online, the sights, sounds and vibes of the Cook Islands were on proud display through online cameras capturing the action.

The show kicked off at 3pm with the early birds dressed in their beach party best, in Kūki style with elaborate ei katu and local designer threads from Tav, who also supported the event with garments for the DJs. 

I watched them from my phone as I struggled with my contact lenses. I prefer my specs but I knew they’d get lost in the Boiler Room. Despite organisers encouraging punters to be on time, I was two hours late (no surprises there), and unfortunately missed the first few acts. 

On arrival my cousins and I got our wristbands, took a cute picture in the Vaianas photo booth, and made our way to the bar which wasn’t busy at all. Nice!

Security sat at each end of the Vaianas beach front blocking off the ticketed event, answering a question many of us had in the office: “How are they going to block off the beach for a ticketed event?”

The all Cook Islands lineup featured local and international acts: Andytheheartthrob, DJ Ryn, Gat, Giddy, Jnr, Ksya, Styla, Zeki, K-Swizz and Jarome Pare and the Koka Boys. 

DJ Giddy and the CC Tamure Fitness Queens. MOANA TAIO/ 24012201

Though Lady Shaka is a world renowned DJ in her own right, as the event producer, she wanted to ensure the lineup was authentically Kūki. 

DJ Giddy of Mangaia by way of Auckland stunned with his mashup of Kūki favourites, bringing out the CC Tamure Fitness Queens in pink sequin pareu during the track Manea by Samson Squad. 

Moana Taio, founder of CC Tamure Fitness, was delighted to get the call: “He was the only DJ that had Cook Island back up dancers which was awesome. We were grateful for the opportunity.”

The only female DJ on the line up, Andytheheartthrob, kept the ladies (including me) moving despite the blaring sun, dancing with pandanus fans as props, rejoicing whenever a cool breeze hit the beach. 

DJ Gat was a one-man show getting into the Kūki vibes, stepping back from the decks to dance through his set. He also had surprise special guests, Auckland based artists Shiraz and Diggy Dupé.

DJ Gat brought sounds, the bros, and a humanitarian message. CANDICE LUKE/ 24012264

Donning a scarf in the style of a Palestinian keffiyeh, Gat came with a humanitarian message: “Ceasefire now! Free Palestine!” 

DJ Styla brought the hip hop and R&B sounds he’s known for in New Zealand, connecting to some of the crowds' more laid back audience. 

Ten times World DJ Champion and 2023 DMC World Champion, twenty-year-old K-Swizz, held his own on his first trip to Rarotonga without his dad, New Zealand renowned artist DJ Reminise.

Crowds flocked and cameras flashed to get a shot of the champ, the Cook Islands flag waving behind the decks to let the world watching know that he’s a Kūki boy. 

Jarome Pare & the Koka Boys showing their skills on the Boiler Room world stage. CANDICE LUKE/ 24012263

Local talent Jarome Pare and the Koka Boys took Cook Islands to the world through the camera lens with fast hands on the uke, even faster beats on the drums, and singing to make anyone who has visited the Cooks, remember those balmy island nights and lagoon cruises. 

I’m not a tourist but I’m not a local (yet) so I loved the addition of local musicians. I can’t get enough of the Kūki sound. 

Local DJs carried party goers until closing time when crowds dispersed quickly without incident. 

For me, the event was a 10/10. The vibes were great, the crowd was hype (and there was no drama), the sounds were on, but most of all, it was a testament to Cook Islands culture in the modern age. A fine example of what makes the Cook Islands unique in the music world, and that magic must take its’ place on the world stage.

Supported by Creative NZ and Pacifica Arts Centre in Auckland, event organiser Lady Shaka was stoked with the turn out, proving that international arts events can be successful in the Pacific. 

Proud daughter of Vaka Takitumu and the Ama and Crummer families, Jarcinda Stowers-Ama, Director of Pacifica Arts Centre was honoured to be part of the village of support that brought the Boiler Room to life.

“We are blessed that Lady Shaka and her incredible team not only selected Rarotonga as the first location for Boiler Room Pacific, but ensured that it was delivered with cultural integrity and mana.

“The entire line up of DJ’s, artists, and musicians are connected by blood to the Cook Islands. She is a true visionary!

“The event showed us that as Cook Islanders we can hold our own on the global music stage. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Boiler Room in the Cook Islands and am proud to be on the vaka.” 

Candice Luke and event producer Lady Shaka. CANDICE LUKE/ 24012265

The morning after the event Lady Shaka shared a heartfelt message to her team and 48,300 Instagram followers:

“(The way) I woke up this morning in tears at how proud I was of all the Djs, dummers, dancers, rappers, singers who showed up and showed out for the Cook Islands. Thank you Boiler Room TV for trusting my vision and allowing my collective, Pulotu Underworld, to put this on for our moana, for the Pacific, and do it the island way. 

“Thank you Creative NZ, Pacifica Arts Centre and 21.3 Vaianas for making this possible. To all our other sponsors, Tav Pacific, Edgewater Resort, Polynesian Car Rentals, Koka Lagoon Cruise, Crown Beach Resort, Small Rave, our driver, our wonderful volunteers, our last minute tech man DJ Chukkee, none of this would have happened without you. To my team, Gills, Lucia and Midge, I love you all so much. 

“To more Boiler Rooms in the Pacific. CHEEEHOOOO! I am so proud to be an islander.”