New Zealand band Six60 will perform at Expo Dubai 2020. Courtesy New Zealand at Expo 2020
New Zealand band Six60 will perform at Expo Dubai 2020. Courtesy New Zealand at Expo 2020
New Zealand band Six60 will perform at Expo Dubai 2020. Courtesy New Zealand at Expo 2020
New Zealand band Six60 will perform at Expo Dubai 2020. Courtesy New Zealand at Expo 2020

Music

Expo 2020 Dubai: history-making band Six60 to perform at New Zealand's pavilion

The band recently made history by becoming the first to perform live at a stadium in front of thousands since the pandemic began

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

March 18, 2021

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  • Arabic

Six60, the first band in the world to play to a live stadium audience of thousands after the coronavirus pandemic began, will also perform at Expo 2020 Dubai, it has been announced.

The group will be part of the New Zealand pavilion's entertainment and culture programme for the major UAE event. They are the first in a line-up of national talent, which is yet to be revealed. This includes singers, dancers, artists and more.

We've never played anywhere in the Middle East and anytime you can bring your music to a new crowd it's exciting

Six60, which formed in 2008, is made up of drummer Eli Paewai, bassist Chris Mac, lead guitarist Ji Fraser, Marlon Gerbes on synths and singer Matiu Walters, who also plays guitar.

The award-winning band, whose single Don't Forget Your Roots has gone platinum four times, are New Zealand's highest-selling live group and known for their unique sound, which spans several genres including pop rock, reggae, soul and R'n'B.

In February, they played to about 23,000 people in Christchurch's Hagley Park, which was the biggest audience to attend a live concert in the world since the pandemic started.

They have yet to perform in Dubai, but it's something the band is now looking forward to.

"We've never played anywhere in the Middle East and anytime you can bring your music to a new crowd it's exciting," guitarist Fraser said. "We have incorporated some traditional Maori instruments and Te Reo Maori into some of our most recent recordings which will probably be very unique for international visitors."

Clayton Kimpton, New Zealand’s commissioner-general to Expo 2020 Dubai, added that the national pavilion's entertainment and cultural programme, which is curated by Parris Goebel, will include a diverse range of talent, with particular emphasis on those with Maori and Pasifika roots.

"We’re working with some very new, up-and-coming young talent right through to the established groups like Six60 and we know visitors will be thoroughly entertained.”

More about the line-up will be revealed in the run-up to the event.

After delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai will now take place from Friday, October 1 to Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Take a look through the gallery below to see more of the Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:

  • The US Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site. Reem Mohammed / The National
    The US Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • The Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: V8 Architects
    The Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: V8 Architects
  • The Luxembourg pavilion, under construction at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Courtesy: Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2020
    The Luxembourg pavilion, under construction at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Courtesy: Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2020
  • France's Expo pavilion. Courtesy: France Expo 2020 Dubai
    France's Expo pavilion. Courtesy: France Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Swiss pavilion for Expo 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Swiss pavilion for Expo 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Australian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Australian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Irish pavilion located in the Mobility District, near Jubilee Park. Courtesy: Embassy of Ireland
    The Irish pavilion located in the Mobility District, near Jubilee Park. Courtesy: Embassy of Ireland
  • The Austrian Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Austrian Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Bahrain Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Bahrain Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • Belarus's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Belarus's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Belgium Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Belgium Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Czech Republic Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Czech Republic Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • Finland's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Finland's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • France's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    France's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The German Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The German Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Italian Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Italian Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • Japan's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Japan's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Monaco Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Monaco Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Netherlands' Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Netherlands' Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The New Zealand pavilion for Expo 2020.
    The New Zealand pavilion for Expo 2020.
  • Norway's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Norway's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Omani Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Omani Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • Poland's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Poland's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Saudi Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Saudi Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Spanish Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Spanish Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The South Korea Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The South Korea Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Sweden Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Sweden Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • The Swiss Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    The Swiss Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • Thailand's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Thailand's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
  • An artist's impression of the UAE pavilion.
    An artist's impression of the UAE pavilion.
  • The UK pavilion at Expo 2020.
    The UK pavilion at Expo 2020.
  • Ukraine's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
    Ukraine's Expo 2020 Pavilion.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

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Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

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By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

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A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

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Based: Dubai

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Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

The biog

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Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.

Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic 

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

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