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Listen up youth! A fresh, free live music experience is coming to FluroFest 2026 this Sunday, October 18, from 1pm to 4pm at Memorial Park – and it’s not to be missed!

Four of the Bay’s most seasoned musicians are joining forces to create band 4G1G – short for 4 Guys 1 Gig – bringing their collective experience, energy and musicianship to the FluroFest stage.

Marc Joseph, Dan Antunovich, Wills Lokeni and TJ Faaosofia will perform crowd favourite covers at Jordan Field before handing over the microphone for Bandaoke – which is similar to karaoke but backed by a live band.

Antunovich and Joseph play bass and drums respectively for galactic funk outfit Black Comet, while Lokeni and Faaosofia are key members of Bay of Plenty covers band Black & Gold.

Budding singers of any age will have the chance to step onto the FluroFest stage and perform with 4G1G backing them – with $1000 in prize money up for grabs.

With crowd-favourite hits and plenty of energy, 4G1G said it’s ready to rock FluroFest! “Whether you’re grabbing the mic or cheering from the crowd, come along for a free, fun-filled family day out packed with music, laughter and community spirit!”

Want to sing? Submit a 30-45 second audition video to FluroFest organisers for a chance to perform live with the band! Spots are limited, but those who miss out or register on the day can enter a lucky draw for another chance to take the stage.

Auditions close October 17 at 11am. Visit the Youth Voices Action Facebook page for the registration link and details.

TJ Faaosofia, Marc Joseph and Dan Antunovich make up three-quarters of 4G1G, which perform crowd favourite covers at Jordan Field before handing over the microphone for Bandaoke. Not present: Wills Lokeni. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

This year’s FluroFest is being held alongside Mental Health Awareness Week, with the event built around the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect/Me Whakawhanaunga, Give/Tukua, Be Active/Me Kori Tonu, Take Notice/Me Aro Tonu, and Keep Learning/Me Ako Tonu.

Youth Voices Action chief executive Erika Harvey said Bandaoke aligns with the kaupapa behind FluroFest.

“Music has an incredible ability to bring people together, and for many of us it is also something we turn to when we need to lift our mood, switch off for a while or simply feel connected to other people.

“That makes Bandaoke a perfect fit for FluroFest. You can connect by singing with your friends and whānau, be active by getting up and dancing, keep learning by having a go at something you might never have tried before, take notice and enjoy what’s happening around you, and give by supporting the person brave enough to get up on stage.

“And how often do you get the opportunity to grab a microphone and have musicians of this calibre become your backing band?”

The free community event will transform Jordan Field into an afternoon of colour, activity and connection, with community organisations, charities, student businesses, food trucks, circus activities, bubbles, sport and live music on-site.

Harvey said the aim is to make conversations about wellbeing feel positive, accessible and genuinely community-focused.

“Mental wellbeing doesn’t always have to start with a serious conversation. Sometimes it starts with getting out of the house, meeting someone new, kicking a ball around, supporting a local charity, trying something different or belting out a song with a live band behind you.

“The Five Ways to Wellbeing are really simple actions – and FluroFest is about creating a place where people can experience all five of them in one afternoon.”

FluroFest 2026 will be held at Jordan Field, Memorial Park, Tauranga, on October 18, from 1pm to 4pm. Entry is free.