Rock your winter Sunday in Jozi
It’s winter, it’s cold and dry, people snuggle up indoors sometimes feeling gloomy, eating too much chocolate and wondering when summer will return…mmhh… Now zoom to a green leafy suburb not far from the heart of the city of Johannesburg on a Sunday afternoon in early winter, lazy happy residents stretch out on blankets under toasty sunlight and crisp blue skies surrounded by colourful people all tapping their feet to a live band. Tempted? You know you are. Catch the Old Mutual Encounters Concert on Sunday the 5 June at Emmarentia Dam: The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts is back with a brand new series. The last series of Old Mutual Encounters Concerts proved to be a standout success for this year’s calendar showcasing what many have regarded as one of the most eclectic and ground breaking collection of line-ups. This new season promises to be filled with more headlining acts and some new kids on the block creating an outstanding musical experience for all. The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts MK Vredefest will get the ball rolling for this thrilling series at the ambient setting of the Emmarentia Dam, in the Johannesburg Botanic gardens on the 6 June. Audiences can look forward to exhilarating live stage acts from aKING, Fokofpolisiekar, Tidal Waves and Zebra & Giraffe. Cape Town based band aKING, brings you a new sound that is an enticing mixture of foot-tapping beats and a dynamic blend of musical style. Described as intense and relentless, this performance will definitely not be one to miss! Join in on the mind-blowing and high energy live show of Afrikaans alternative rock band Fokofpolisiekar. Formed in 2003, this band has since gone from strength to strength, injecting South African music scene with innovative rock tunes. Reggae band Tidal Waves are known for their song writing sophistication with their political and socially orientated lyrics. Fans can enjoy a fantastic and impressive sound and will be sure to witness a musical masterpiece. Pushing the musical envelope, Zebra & Giraffe, with their unique look and music, will bring something original and exciting to the Johannesburg music scene. Be sure to catch this year’s winner of the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album for their debut album “Collective Memories”. So launch your winter season with a big bang and come and join us for an unforgettable rock and roll experience and get ready to have fun in the sun and bask in the sound waves. Be sure to pack your umbrella, picnic blankets, and cooler boxes and let Old Mutual Encounters Concerts take care of the rest. Tickets are available via www.tunegum.com for R50 and...
Don’t miss this treat of a gig – Sat 9 May
Oh this weekend is gonna be pumping out some sweet jazzy sounds – we cannot recommend a better gig for anyone that loves offbeat sublime SA jazz, at only R25 a ticket this is a gift… So how about dinner in Newtown or Melville and then zooting yourself over to the WITS Amphiteatre… Siya’s voice alone will have the hairs standing at attention, never mind the slickness of Marcus, Carlo and Justin. GO GO GO. Represent! The Prisoners of Strange with Siya Makuzeni: voice Marcus Wyatt: trumpet Carlo Mombelli: bass & soundscapes Justin Badenhorst: drums Venue: Wits Amphitheatre (University of the Witwatersrand) Saturday 9th MAY 9 pm Bookings – R25 at Strictlytickets.com or at the...
Represent Review: Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Around Easter time, Cape Town has a certain air about it. It has nothing to do with Easter egg hunts, bunnies or anything of the sort. Birds seem to chirp, the wind whistles in tune, even the midday cannon ball seems to boom louder. Amidst all this, guitars are tuned, drums are propped up and pianos are reeled in, all in aid of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF). Gosh, you have to be in this city to feel the energy that the CTIJF carries with it (among the international artists that we all look forward to rubbing shoulders with). From the free concert that took place on Wednesday, April 1 – rather than the usual Thursday evenings – the line up was so exciting this year. They went all out for their 10th birthday to bring us a show to remember (and I most certainly do). CTIJF brought us the likes of Zap mama, Pete Philly & Perquisite, Mos Def, Diane Reeves, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, Incognito, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Zaki Ibrahim, 340ml, Maceo Parker – to name but a few. Now obviously I’d need to multiply myself to catch every artist or band but since that’s not humanly possible, I can only tell you about what I did manage to catch. On Friday, April 3 I got to see Pete Philly & Perquisite, safely my favourite dutch hip hop duo. This was their second performance at the CTIJF – and I got to see both. I remember falling in love with this band some 3 or 4 years ago. Their sound is so fresh and they are simply perfect together. The flow of Pete Philly’s voice dances on the beat in a way that radiates through your body. And this year, they weren’t any different. I listened to some Goldfish with their ever faithful Cape Tonian sound that never disappoints. But – and this is not to discredit any other artist – the highlight (possibly of the whole festival) was Zap Mama. The leading woman is absolutely beautiful with a voice that I could’ve grown up to and at the same time something my kids will grow up to – it’s timeless, soulful and elevating. Not only can she beat box with the best of them but she completely took us by surprise when she performed a Miriam Makeba song…in Zulu. It was magnificent. On Saturday I started the day early with usisi Abigail Kubheka. She was nostalgic as ever performing classics that I remember hearing when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Zaki Ibrahim started right in the middle of usisi Abigail so I rushed...
Everybody’s ♡ing BLK JKS
I remember the first time I saw Blk Jks was the night our *shy* little band Pesheya shared the stage with them at ROKA in Milpark early 07, we were both opening acts for the always AWESOME Uju… That night I thought *damn* these guys are crazy, their eclectic blend of rock ‘n roll madness was enough to confuse any neatly playlisted South African. Now, proudly listening to their set at SXSW, I can confirm, they are totally loopy… crazy … and loving it! The best part is, hungry for something fresh and tasty, the rest of the music world seems fascinated by these boys mashing up styles all the way from Johannesburg and are lapping them up in big dollops. Join them on their ride on and upwards – read all about Blk Jxs in this month’s Vanity Fair and listen to their mad beats at SXSW (thanks Quicy for the link). Could this be the debut of SA music on the international stage – AT LAST? REPRESENT! PS: SO UJU when is the rest of the music world finally going to get to listen to you??? We still have our money on you. *kisses from...
Catch FIFI’s album launch in Tshwane
She’s got a sweet vibrato voice that winds it’s way up and down and around her tinkling jazzy notes, if you’re into sisters singing with soul, make sure to catch the launch of Fifi’s EP this first of April, additional entertainment will be supplied by the ever faithful Dj Kenzhero and Sam Simose: Miss Fifi is at it again, it’s time for the residents of Tshwane to absorb some of this little dynamite’s talent. For a mere R50, with the first 100 attendees gaining themselves a free EP, you can catch Fifi’s second leg of her EP Launch taking place at House 22 in Pretoria’s Sunnyside. If unfortunately your girlfriend (Ed: or boyfriend!) took their time in front of the mirror at home, which ultimately made you the 101st person to arrive don’t stress, you can purchase the Ep at the launch for an easy R40. Join Fifi, Dj Kenzhero and that small cat Sam Simose on April fools day, 1st April 2009. Click on the flyer for more. Read an interview with FIFI on Rage right...
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