The gloom of border closures, job loss, slow business and restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have given way to the weekly ‘Karaoke On The Street’ song contest where performers can win cash up front.

In its third week, the contest saw 15 performers comprising men, women and students take the stage at the Plaza in Apia to croon out their favourite tunes. 

But singers must be warned: you may not find your favourite karaoke song – the one you have practiced for years and know by heart –on the list. So like every singer who signed up you will have to make do.

Nineteen-year-old Jill Ali’ioa’ana of Vailuutai, a student at the National University of Samoa majoring in art, had to sing a number that wasn’t her first pick.

She wanted to sing a hymn, “Goodness of God,” but instead the young singer went with “I Can Love You Like That” by All-4-One.

“It was fine but the thing is I didn’t get to note all the lyrics of the song. I was looking for Goodness of God,” said Ms. Ali’ioa’ana.

Before her performance she expressed being nervous.

It’s quite understandable for a first time performer because the song contest draws a huge crowd of spectators, from shoppers, street vendors, to people who work in the building who find a place to stand, a seat on the walls of the Plaza or a spot on the upper balconies to listen to the karaoke singers.

It’s a pretty tough audience.

But the electronic karaoke machine which does all the judging is probably tougher. After each performer completes his or her number, a score appears on the widescreen television set.

Ms. Ali’ioa’ana scored a 65. Singers are required to score at least a 90 to win $20 tala. 

“I was shy...I want to try again. Not today but another day,” she said.

“I want to tell the people that I am not a loser and I won’t give up on something that I want.”

The contest is sponsored by Digicel Samoa. TV1 Samoa films the performances on Thursday afternoons and broadcasts them the following week on Tuesday nights.

Sales and Marketing Manager for TV1 Samoa, Sam Matafeo said the event was created to change the mood created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Karaoke on The Street is karaoke but we are taking out on the street. The reason we created this program is to try and change up the mood of this pandemic that we are currently experiencing,” said Mr. Matafeo.

“This program started three weeks ago and we have seven more weeks to go. It’s every Thursday at 2:30 to 4:30. Our major sponsor is Digicel. We had about 15 people here today. The last time, we had about the same amount of people.”

To win the cash, he said it’s about hitting the notes are the right time.

“It’s just about hitting the right notes at the right time. That’s all there is to it. Even if you don’t have the voice for it, as long as you hit the notes, then you are all good.”

Some spectators complained that the machine did a poor job of judging the performances. 

The Samoa Observer asked Mr. Matafeo is he might consider allowing the audience to choose who wins the cash.

“That’s not how it works because the machine actually tallies the points. That’s why we don’t have any judges...we actually had two winners today,” he said.

Two female singers took home $20 tala each. Performers who win the $20 with a score of 90 or higher are given the option to advance to a second round to win $40 tala. Both singers took the $20 tala.

Despite the low number of cash winners, several spectators said it was an enjoyable afternoon of music.

Among the song choices were: “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” by Freddy Fender; “Green Green Grass of Home” by Tom Jones; Mexican folk song “La Bamba”; Hotel California by Eagles; “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie; “If I Ain't Got You” by Alicia Keys and “Sacrifice” by Elton John.