J Geeks bringing talent 'home'

Four Maori entertainers will be invading the Rotorua scene with their singing, dancing and comedy.

J Geeks formed in 2010 making their name first as a YouTube sensation before becoming a hit on last year's television show New Zealand's Got Talent.

The entertainment group recently started their first nationwide tour, called Tu Meke, which will stop off at the Rotorua Convention Centre on Tuesday at 6pm.

Group founder Jermaine Leef said they were bringing a fresh form of entertainment to the stage.

Leef said they called their style of entertainment Metro Maori, merging popular culture with their Maori culture to make an entertaining show.

"It's a fusion of Maori culture, pop culture, electronic music and entertainment."

Leef, a former music presenter on television channel C4, said one group member was from Rotorua and another from Maketu so it was good to be performing in the area.

"We had to bring it home for the boys and [Rotorua] has a very strong Maori vibe as well as a cross-cultural aspect which we are bringing in."

Leef said they enjoyed involving the audience in their shows and would regularly take the mickey out of different cultures.

He said J Geeks had 15 original songs but the songs would not be the centre of the show, with music and entertainment changing all the time during the show.

The group are touring 34 cities as part of the Tu Meke tour and Leef said they were overwhelmed by the reception so far, with some shows selling out.

"It appeals to kids that are 2-years-old to aunties that are 200-years old, so it has been great getting such a wide audience to our shows."

The JGeeks will be available for signatures and meeting fans after the show. Tickets are $17 from Ticketmaster or $20 on the door.