The Shades are a vocal quartet made up of Manase Latu, Ipu Laga’aia, Taka Vuni and Samson Setu. With their Pacific Island roots, the boys put a fresh twist on a wide range of repertoire. The Shades utilise their classical training to create a sweet sound whether singing an operatic aria or a popular tune of today. Their upbringing in Polynesian churches is a cornerstone for the group and they finish each concert with a hymn as a homage to their first experiences with music.
In 2015 the quartet was formed in the back row of a university lecture theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Since then the group have performed regularly throughout the country as well as taking their talents to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Their highly anticipated Gratitude Tour begins in late July 2021 and takes them to six New Zealand cities.
The ensemble has been part of the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa programme for young singers and have each performed regularly as soloists in concerts around New Zealand. In 2020, the Shades performed a recital with the Pati brothers, Amitai and Pene, who make up two-thirds of the renowned NZ trio Sol3 Mio. The collaboration was a huge success with the two sold out nights being an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to be in attendance.
