Whakatāne local Mack Apapa is bringing the Australian phenomenon “pub choir” to Mata Brewery, with the first Kiwi Pub Sing kicking off at 7pm tonight.

The Kiwi Pub Sing, as Apapa has named it, invites people to come along, have a drink, and take part in a guided group singing experience.

Apapa describes the night as “sort of like karaoke”.

Participants will learn three songs: the first will be a song that’s popular now, followed by a classic song, and then a heavy rock song. They will sing them accompanied by Apapa’s band, Barrel House.

The songs are kept a mystery until you start to learn them. Apapa said this was a great way to build intrigue and interest in the night and have more people come along.

The main point of the night is to have fun, he said.

“I think the easiest thing about it is to just give it a go and have fun.”

He said people did not have to be good singers.

He has had a lot of people message him saying them cannot sing and asking if they can still join in.

The answer is yes.

“A lot of people are sceptical about it, and rightly so, but it doesn’t matter if you can sing or not.”

The event runs similarly to the Wellington version of Pub Sing, where participants are taught songs in harmony before performing them together.

Apapa hopes tonight’s event can become a monthly fixture, with new songs each time. He said if it continued, there would be more songs including from Kiwi artists.

Mata Brewery recommends those wanting to take part book a table.

Tickets can be bought from the brewery’s website.