J Boog (upper left), Fiji (upper right), Amely (bottom)[Photos: Tina Mata'afa]
Fiji, J Boog, Amely and Lost Coast Sound rocked the house Friday night, July 10, 2009, during the Blue Sky 10th Anniversary Live Concert that drew an estimated 6,000 people to the Veterans Stadium in Ili’ili. The show opened with Lost Coast Tongan singer Siaosi performing “Be Like That”, followed by Kiwini, who is of Hawaiian and Tongan descent, singing “Hold Me.”
Samoan singer Laga Savea, from Nanakuli, Hawaii, led the trio in singing “Roots Satisfaction,” and several other numbers including “Nothing Gonna Break My Stride” from the 80’s and “Elegi,” an upbeat Samoan classic. Kiwini and Siaosi also paid tribute to their Tongan roots with some Tongan numbers.
Amely followed with an electrifying performance that stole the hearts of young Samoan girls in the crowd, many of whom held signs declaring their love for the singers of Amely and Lost Coast Sound. The band offered, among others, original songs such as “On My Own,” and covered “The Climb” by Mylie Cyrus and “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi. They ended their show with “I’d Rather Be Alone.”
J Boog, who is from the Afemata family of Alao, American Samoa but makes his home in Compton, Calif. performed “Jah Use Me,” a cover of the reggae classic “Ganja Farmer”, his “Love Season”, “Hear Me Roar” and others.
Fiji, who said he represented the Fiji islands and the Pacific, wrapped up the show, with local favorites that drove the crowd wild. The crowd lost control when he professed his love for Samoan women, and sang “Sosefina”, “Be My Naughty Girl” and “Mornin’ Ride.”
Lost Coast Sound held a free concert at the Samoana High School gymnasium in Utulei, Saturday night, July 11, 2009. The Live Concert capped a week of activities celebrating the 10 years since Blue Sky opened in American Samoa, July 10, 1999. Lost Coast Sound and Amely were scheduled to leave the island last night.