Close to a thousand people turned up at the Motherland Samoa concert with tickets sold out early and the growing crowd unperturbed by slight drizzles in the capital on Saturday evening. 

The non-stop music festival started at 1.30 pm on Saturday and did not disappoint with the crowd numbers building by late evening, confirming it to be one of the biggest concerts ever staged in Samoa in recent years. Local residents as well as tourists were on hand to dance and jive to some of the Pacific's top international artists.

The full lineup of artists for the concert featured: Fiji, J Boog, HP Boyz, Lisi, Savage, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown, Tomorrow People, Bina Butta, Wayno, Lani Alo, DJ Tikelz, DJ 651, Donell Lewis, Mautaotasi and Matalenaa, Pacific Love Band, Rellek Brown, Tree, Zipso, DJ Kayoz, and DJ Wreckah. 

The founder of Pacificast, Julius Tuigamala told Samoa Observer in an interview that the Motherland Samoa concert program was put together after the Toa Samoa homecoming parade went viral towards the end of last year, following the team's successful Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) campaign in England.

He said the performance of Toa Samoa united Samoans all over the world and ignited pride among the Samoan people all over the world. The Motherland Samoa concert was put together to build on this foundation and show how proud Samoans are of their music and people, he added.

According to Mr. Tuigamala, Samoans from all over the world including Austria, Japan, Ireland, Alaska and other places were in Samoa for the concert.

"The pride and spirit of our values and heritage are bringing the Motherland concert together. It is made possible by their prayers and pride in being Samoan," he said.

Motherland Samoa Festival Director, Tana Tupai said Motherland Samoa is the beginning of their concert tour of the region. The organisers are also looking at other Pacific countries after the Motherland Samoa concert is held.

"On Saturday there is Motherland Samoa at Apia Park and going further there will be Motherland Fiji, Motherland Tonga and we also look forward to making Motherland Cook Islands happen again," he said in an interview.

A Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) staff member, who did not want to be identified, said on Saturday that he did a short survey asking the concert-goers at Apia Park for their views and the feedback was generally positive. 

He said all the people that he spoke with were overwhelmed by the event as they had the opportunity to see in person some of the famous Samoan artists.

"Some said it's a great opportunity for families to bring their children as well and have some food and fun at the bouncing castle as well and just enjoy the day and evening," he said.