The Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series

Dog Mountain | St. Johnsbury, VT

Sunday, August 18 @ 4:00 pm

In a show reflecting the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand’s indigenous people and celebrating feminine power, Maori group Mama Mihirangi & the Mareikura combine soulful beats, storytelling and traditional dance into a spellbinding world music experience. Using a loop pedal to record and play back her own voice, Mihirangi creates intricate, layered musical pieces out of ancient chants, socially conscious lyrics and beatboxing. Her use of guitar, keyboards, drums and traditional Maori instruments add depth to her vocal gymnastics. Though Mihirangi had already been touring worldwide for years and had been dubbed the “queen of live loops,” her appearance on New Zealand’s Got Talent in 2012 brought her a larger audience. Her current show additionally features Rita Peihopa, an expert in Maori martial arts, and Tiana King, a performer skilled in both traditional haka and contemporary dance. Using fantastic costumes, improvisation and audience participation, the group dazzles with fearless performances that at once showcase Maori culture and tap into universal truths.

Mama Mihirangi & the Mareikura toured Canada in 2018 and played for folk, roots and world music industry professionals at a conference for Folk Alliance International in February 2019. The UK’s Songlines Magazine selected the show as one of the top 3 of the 2,500 acts at the conference. Mihirangi has played festivals all over the globe, including San Francisco’s Power to the Peaceful festival, and has performed with artists including Public Enemy and Arrested Development. She previously thrilled Levitt audiences at Levitt Los Angeles in 2013.