Leao (band)

LEAO
LEAO
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	Neo-psychedelic; niu wave;
Years active	2019–present
Label	Noa Records
Members	David Feauai-Afaese (vocals/guitar); Navākatoa Tekela-Pule (bass); Levi Gemmell (steel guitar); Larsen Tito-Taylor (drums/percussion);

Leao (stylised as LEAO) are a Pasifika neo-psychedelia band from Auckland, New Zealand. The band is led by David Feauai-Afaese with additional members Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Levi Gemmell, and Larsen Tito-Taylor.

The band was formed in 2019 whilst Feauai-Afaese was at university, after Tito-Taylor asked him if he would "ever be keen on doing an alternative Samoan project". Their first EP, Ghost Roads, was released a few months later.

In October 2026, the band won the Silver Scroll songwriting award for their single "LALELEI", the first Samoan language song to have won the award. "LALELEI", Samoan for 'beautiful', is the final single for the upcoming debut album The Samoan Tapes.

The band run their own label Noa Records, which they use to sign and support emerging Pasifika artists. Noa Records's current roster includes Leao, Hun Lynch, Sanguine, and WAIWHAI.

Discography

Ghost Roads (EP) (2019)
The Samoan Tapes (upcoming)

Awards and nominations


Year	Award	Work(s) nominated	Category	Result	Ref.
2026	APRA Silver Scroll Awards	"LALELEI"	Silver Scroll	Won

References

1 2 Lochrie, Conor (19 May 2026). "Song You Need to Know: LEAO, 'LALELEI'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
1 2 3 "Samoan love song makes history at the 2026 Silver Scroll Awards". RNZ. 14 October 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
1 2 3 Sowman-Lund, Stewart (16 October 2026). "LEAO's frontman on their historic Silver Scroll - and reconnecting with Samoa through song". The Post. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
↑ "LEAO". Noa Records. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
↑ McInnes, Laura (11 May 2026). "LEAO share heartfelt ode to Samoa with new single, 'LALELEI'". Sniffers. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
↑ "NOA RECORDS' Hun Lynch Announces Sycophant Album Release Show". New Zealand Music Commission. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

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[RS-1] 1 2 Lochrie, Conor (19 May 2026). "Song You Need to Know: LEAO, 'LALELEI'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[RNZ-2] 1 2 3 "Samoan love song makes history at the 2026 Silver Scroll Awards". RNZ. 14 October 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[Post-3] 1 2 3 Sowman-Lund, Stewart (16 October 2026). "LEAO's frontman on their historic Silver Scroll - and reconnecting with Samoa through song". The Post. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[4] "LEAO". Noa Records. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[5] McInnes, Laura (11 May 2026). "LEAO share heartfelt ode to Samoa with new single, 'LALELEI'". Sniffers. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[6] "NOA RECORDS' Hun Lynch Announces Sycophant Album Release Show". New Zealand Music Commission. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.