Sons of Zion set Homegrown alight
Saturday, 14 March 2026
After ten appearances at Homegrown, Sons of Zion can still draw a crowd… and then some.
The Kiwi band were a popular act at Homegrown in Claudelands, where crowds roared their approval for the six-piece reggae band.
People packed the Jim Bean Park Stage and looked for views to see the reggae band, wherever they could, including atop shoulders.
Singer Rio Panapa was blown away by the different vibes between Hamilton and its former home in Wellington.
“Firstly, it’s not as cold and it’s not as windy. Beautiful day,” Panapa told the Waikato Times after Sons of Zion hopped off the stage.
“It’s really cool that all the stages are close by and just seeing the vibe out there was wicked.”
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The band formed in 2007 and have written chart-topping songs such as Drift Away and played to massive audiences in New Zealand and overseas.
Things have changed over the past 19 years, with the advent of streaming and Spotify.
But Panapa isn’t taking it for granted.
“Anytime that we get to perform, it’s a privilege. I feel like I live a sort of dream life, I get to do what I love and experience people singing my music and, and supporting what I do.”
Before the show, artists sat in the green room inside Claudelands Arena and were taken to their stage by a van.
Once the show finished, artists were driven back to the green room.
Inside the green room, Panapa said it’s like a “family reunion”.
“Good to have a few beers and just catch up and see how everyone’s doing, how everyone’s families (are) and what’s happening with all the bands and what they’re putting out.”