Grammy-nominated musician Josh Tatofi not only captivated the audience with his music last night but also inspired Tongan youth to make positive life choices. Before his highly anticipated concert at the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium, Tatofi met with high school students at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, where he urged them to say “NO to Drugs and NO to Violence,” which is a campaign run by the Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) and Balance of Power, who organised the event, leaving a lasting impact on the students.
Supported by the Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), which contributed $5000 pa’anga to the initiative, the session highlighted the dangers of drugs and alcohol and their link to domestic violence. Tatofi’s personal journey and the educational session run by WCCC aimed to empower the youth to make informed and positive decisions.
Later that evening, Tatofi performed a free concert at the packed ‘Atele Indoor Stadium. The crowd’s energy was electric, with cheers and singing echoing throughout the venue. The concert, part of Tatofi’s South Pacific tour, was an unforgettable performance for enthusiastic fans singing along to every song.
His team said that they had never heard an audience so engaged, often drowning out those on the microphone. The highlight of the night was the song “Ouana,” which moved the crowd so great that their voices would have literally lifted the roof of the stadium.
Among the distinguished guests were HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala, and HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho and Lord Ma’afu Tuku’i’aulahi of Vaini village, which Tatofi’s roots are from.
In a social media post, Tatofi expressed his deep gratitude for their presence and the thoughtful gift of kava and a kumete. He also thanked the President of the Free Church of Tonga, Rev. Semisi Fonua, for his opening and closing prayers during the concert, as well as Lord Ma’afu Tuku’i’aulahi of Vaini village for his guidance during their visit to the Royal Palace.
Reflecting on the event, Tatofi said, “We are truly overwhelmed by the love and support we received in Tonga.” He emphasised the importance of music as a repository of ancestral stories and traditions, stating, “Music and dance are powerful tools for keeping our culture vibrant and relevant.”
Tatofi, the son of musician Tivaini Tatofi from the legendary Hawaiian band Kapena, has been immersed in music from a young age, making his performances deeply connected to his cultural roots.
