Entries are open for the Pacific’s biggest music competition, ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break which launched in Samoa last weekend with a huge, live concert at Friendship Park, Apia.
Thousands of fans enjoyed performances from local Samoan favourites Mr Cowboy and Tofaga Meke as well as Pacific Break past winners Chris Kamu’ana Rohoimae (Solomon Islands), JuBen (Fiji) and Danielle (Papua New Guinea). Samoan hip hop icon Mr Tee also made a surprise appearance, getting the crowds jumping early in the night.
On the main stage, ABC Radio Australia’s Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow joined forces to MC with homegrown Samoan hero Young Sefa to keep the crowd laughing through the night.
The concert was produced in partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority and recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio Australia and ABC Australia television.
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR PACIFIC BREAK 2025
The launch concert in Apia kicks off a two-month search to uncover the Pacific and Timor-Leste’s best original talent. Entries are now open until midnight Monday 25 August 2025.
Pacific Break’s top prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to perform in 2026 at WOMADelaide – Australia’s largest international music, arts, and dance festival. The winning artist or group will be revealed on ABC Radio Australia’s daily morning program Nesia Daily on Wednesday 16 October 2025.
The judging panel for this year sees PNG-born Australian musician Ngaiire rejoin the team with ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu (In The Fale) and Sose Fuamoli (Sista Sounds and On The Record), WOMADelaide Associate director Annette Tripodi, along with new judge Joji Malani, Fijian-born musician and solo artist of Gang of Youths fame.
For more information about Pacific Break 2025 judging panel, click here.
HOW TO ENTER
Submit your original track(s) in one of three ways;
- 1.Complete the Online Entry Form, available here.
- 2.Get in touch with our Pacific Break team via WhatsApp (+61 447 310 986) and send through your songs and info.
- 3.Send an email with all your details to pacificbreak@abc.net.au, including your music files as an attachment.
For more information about Pacific Break, including competition details and terms and conditions, visit www.abc.net.au/pacificbreak