The iconic Punialavaa Band performed live last Friday evening at the Matagialalua Friendship Park with their concert bringing Samoa's independence celebration to a close.

The band, which was sponsored by the Lava Hotel and the Samoa Tourism Authority, performed a number of their hit singles as well as yet-to-be released songs. 

When the family-band took the stage, they were received by a thunderous roar of applause and clapping, with many in the crowd only seeing them perform live on home soil for the first time. 

The crowd also sang along to many of their popular Samoan hits to confirm the Auckland-based band's iconic status here in Samoa. 

As the crowds swayed and sung to the songs performed by band, it was the elderly citizens who made the most of the opportunity to listen and sing along to their old time favourites.

Founded by Reverend Isoefa Lale Peteru, his children have taken the band to new heights with the mantle getting passed to the children.

Recently the band won the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Pacific Music Awards in New Zealand.

According to a Radio New Zealand article, Punialava'a was formed in the village of Vailele in 1968, when school teacher Rev. Iosefa Lale Peteru formed a group with some friends, and did gigs around Samoa with support from the National Broadcasting Service.

In the 1970s and the '80s, the group started churning out hit after hit well into the 2000s, including several compilations and performances with well-known artists from around the region - and the world.

As the times changed, the group also changed their style album-after-album, changing colours, sounds and techniques as they chronicled changes in both their personal lives and the wider world.

"We wrote different songs, different genres, different themes that help people during times of tribulations and other hard times of life," said Rev. Peteru in an interview with Radio New Zealand. "Our style then was like the Bee Gees style, up until the 1980s, and then I met my wife Vini."

Vini Afutoto Lale Peteru became one of the group's main singers. The pair said they did not sing for the money, but for the entertaining and the messages. Staying true to the heart of Samoan and Pacific culture, they said.

"We have always been inspired by Lale's creative writing in his Samoan songs," said Mrs Peteru. "It is about our culture and the language where he composes all his lyrics on his understanding of his culture.

"Although I do have to say, I do not know who he wrote all those love songs to before we even met," she joked.