Hot line-up at the Bassline in March
March’s entertainment line up at the Bassline in Johannesburg is heating up with the announcement of the next KAYA FM PRESENTS LIVE AT THE BASSLINE show, featuring some of the hottest Afro-Soul and Pop talent S.A has to offer right now. Heading this dynamic line up is the rags to riches sensation Nathi, fresh from dropping his debut album Buyelekhaya and walking away with 7 top award nominations. Nathi’s star is shining brightly right now and the Bassline will host not only this singer, but also his long time friend and collaborator Vusi Nova. Vusi is another multi-award winning Afro-soul artist who topped charts with his incredible version of Etta James’ I’d Rather Go Blind, in true Afro style. The two singers have performed together across the country at length, making them a stunning performing collective. They will perform their own solo sets but who knows if a collaboration or two on stage is on the cards? In fact, it seems Nathi may be planning on collaborating with a few of his guests that night and making it a truly memorable night out for the fans. Supporting them will be a host of other artists including the multi-talented Swazi singer/songwriter/guitarist Nancy G. Nancy and her soulful sound make a fantastic addition to this stunning line up. Cameroon-born rapper Ruff X and 4-piece House Music outfit Tarajika complete the line up on what promises to be one of the most sensational nights out in March. Tickets are available for R200 on www.webtickets.co.za or R220 at the door....
A Night with Black Coffee at ALTO UPMARKET LOUNGE
It was only a matter of time before the western suburbs of Johannesburg were blessed with a new vibrant and trendy venue of its own. Alto Upmarket Lounge will officially open its doors on the 20 February 2016. The venue combines the best of sleek modern design and architectural excellence that leads into a 360 degrees rooftop view that overlooks the sexy and sassy view of Eagle Canyon Estate. Alto Lounge will be a venue where the cream da la crème of Gauteng province will celebrate the taste and successes of life. What better way to breathe new life into the venue by being inaugurated by internationally acclaimed Dj Award winner Black Coffee. He will bless the patrons with a LIVE, intimate and personal performance that’s sure to set the venue apart from the rest. The event also includes performances by Dino Bravo, Dj Mouse, Ami Lectrix, Small Paul and Deep and Dirty. Event Details •Event Name: A Night with Black Coffee •Date: 20 February 2016 •Venue: Alto Lounge, 1459 Blueberry street, Randburg, 2169 •Time: 17:00pm–02:00am •Entrance: R500 / VIP R800 (bottle of Champaign included with nibbles for the evening) •Address: 1459 Blueberry street, Randburg, 2169 •Website: www.altojhb.com •Tickets available at:...
Concert review: Mumford & Sons take over Pretoria
By Lebogang Mgiba When all 85,000 tickets sold out within minutes, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but on arriving at the Monument Amphitheatre in Pretoria couldn’t help but be blown away. Watching Mumford & Sons play has to rate as one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. Their live performance went far beyond anything I expected, and the cherry on top was the superb acoustics – they sounded even better than their studio albums! I also got to see The Brother Moves On perform live for the first time and they made me proud to be South African. Their unique sound and style is what makes their music magical. They are the definition of ART, but you have to see them live to fully comprehend this. That may sound absurd but I promise you, your life will never be the same. Supporting acts included John Wizards, The Very Best and Beatenberg, who played just before the main act. The artist selection was well-thought out and the varying genres melded together to create musical synergy. Mumford & Sons performed some of my favourite songs but I lost my mind when they performed “Believe” from their latest album, Wilder Minds. It was surreal; it was my moment for life, and I held on to it until the last song. They performed quite a number of songs from Sigh No More, Babel and Wilder Minds and the superfans sang along to every song As if that wasn’t wondrous enough, Mumford & Sons brought the supporting acts on stage to do a new song recorded in Joburg titled ‘There Will Be Time’. I think we can look forward to some amazing collaborations coming out of this concert – I, for one, was convinced they’ve been in studio for a month writing new stuff exclusively for this show. “I had the absolute pleasure of going to a mind-blowing concert of Mumford & Sons at the iconic Voortekker Monument on Saturday. I was astounded by the venue, organisation, sound lights, special effects, but most of all, the music. Baaba Maal was a welcome addition, as were all the other musical geniuses on stage. Marcus Mumford’s stage presence is absolutely intoxicating; his singing is even better. From meeting new friends and catching up with old ones, the entire day seems like a dream. My night ended off with dancing alongside my friends, in the pouring rain to Little Lion Man, without a care in the world, alongside 25,000 other strangers who had one thing in common – we were there to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to watch a band we all love passionately...
Kaya FM Live AT THE Bassline ft Zahara and The Muffinz
The first Kaya Fm Live At The Bassline session for 2016 has added the newest vocal sensation Morena the Squire to its line-up to hot things up for the amazing line up to follow. Morena, known for his great vocals and dance moves, will open the night with his debut single Faith Alive that got the nation dancing this past festive season. The infamous monthly celebration of outstanding music, Kaya Fm Live At The Bassline, is back with a bang in 2016 and aims to bring the public even more phenomenal nights out than ever before in the year ahead. Kicking off with a stellar line up, the event sees the first booking of 2016 boasts two multi-award winning artists on one stage, in addition to newest addition Morena The Squire. These are Gospel Afro-pop sensation Zahara and the 5-piece eclectic retro pop outfit, The Muffinz. Zahara was literally an overnight sensation after her signing with TS Records. The young rural star had quietly honed her craft in her home village before signing a deal that would change her life and ultimately see her becoming one of the countries best selling artists. The Muffinz, culturally different from Zahara with their urban roots, were also shot to the limelight after playing the Melville bar and club scene for a few years and generating a truly charming, fresh live act that literally nobody could resist. Both acts have topped radio charts, packed venues and raked in multiple awards in the few years since their humble beginnings and will now be sharing the stage for one night only at the Kaya FM Presents Live at the Bassline show on the 6th February 2016. Tickets are limited and available now at www.webtickets.co.za for R200 or R220 at the door. The show starts promptly at 8pm. Book your tickets now for another great night out in the...
SP Festive Moments
Festive season is all about family, food, love and laughter, and many people have sentimental things that they do every year during this time. Stay tuned as the SP team share their favourite festive moments with you… #FestiveMoments Nicole G Because we celebrate with a big meal on Christmas Eve, I always eat left over dessert and chocolate for breakfast on Christmas morning. 🙂 #FestiveMoments Lindelwa We normally spend our Christmas in Swaziland, deep in the village. Throughout the year we collect clothes for small children, as well as the clothes we own that don’t fit anymore (always in good condition, never makgasa), to donate to the orphaned and destitute children there. We go to the village because we host purposeful festivities and a feast with the rest of our family and invite the community to join us as they seldom have enough for a big celebration of the Lord’s day. Yachna We always have a production line for making trifle (one sister cuts pecan nuts, the other whips cream, the other lays out the dessert) I always paint personalised decorations for everyone with their names on and the year. I’m always the Santa, giving out the gifts, and yes, I ALWAYS have the hat on. I’m in charge of cocktail making – a new cocktail every year. I plan the decor for the table, and Christmas tree colour schemes. Every year has to be different. I’m in charge of planning and feeding a charity a few days before Christmas. Andy Going home is a big holiday thing for me because my folks live in Namibia. Holidays are always a good wind down, as going to another country out of phone signal always helps me relax. We generally spend time together baking and cooking my mom’s famous Chicken Oriental dish, drinking whisky with my dad and singing to The Eagles (Hotel California), and watching Test Cricket, christmas movies and maybe a baby video here or there :). We’ll often count the new year in over champagne and the Royal Variety Show or have friends over for a big dinner. Family walks and sundowners with my dogs in the nature reserve near home are also common practice. Simone My christmas is spent with my parents and sister, and we have dinner, play cards and boardgames and chat for hours. The last 3 years I spent christmas with my family travelling, barhopping and playing games (We LOVE BOARDGAMES). My mother makes the best peppermint crisp tart, and she always makes one just for me and I finish it by myself every year (it takes 2-3 days, but its all...
Goodluck, and bon voyage!
By Ludwig Spies South Africa’s coolest electronic band, Goodluck, is now sailing with Armada Music. They sat down with us for a chat about their music, their popularity and their anonymity… Goodluck is possibly South Africa’s most ironic musical act. Although they have produced a record number of chart toppers and been touring Europe since their inception in 2011, the name Goodluck often elicits a blank expression. Play one of their songs, however, and people will sing along without difficulty. Hence, it is quite poignant that the collaboration that got them signed with Armada Music was with Dutch house DJ Jeroen Maas aka De Hofnar. Maas chose the epithet, Court Jester, to signify his entertainment philosophy: “You are the kings, I’m just here to entertain you”. Goodluck have followed a similar approach. Traditionally a no-noise, no-press type of band, their priorities are the music, the audience and having fun. Signing to Armada is big though. The label is the love child of ARmin van Buuren, MAykel Piron and DAvid Lewis and has under its umbrella some of the biggest names in the electronic dance scene. Goodluck has always been comfortable with bringing in another voice or talent to create the perfect sound, and this has seen them work with some major players. Lisa Kekaula, vocalist for Basement Jaxx, is the fierce voice on Harlem (2011) and What Would We Be (2013); and Phoenix Kayode infused their track Electro Thing (2011) with his South-East London grooves. The result has been a truly international sound, further enhanced and refined by their continual exposure to the European music scene whilst on tour. “Touring internationally as a South African band in this music scene is a complicated situation,” says Ben Peters, who does production and percussion. “I think South African artists still have something of an inferiority complex. I think we often look at ourselves and wonder whether we look as good as the rest of the world when we’re singing or playing or dancing. This is a valid question. Our industry is comparatively young, and we don’t have that production history or legacy. So we have always tried to reference ourselves against the international scene in our pursuit of attaining international standards.” Their global sound has, again ironically, contributed to their ‘anonymity’. “Just a few months ago at a gig in Stellenbosch, this guy came up to us after the show, and he’s like, ‘You guys are really awesome, but you should consider doing some original stuff.’ And we thought, ok, we literally don’t have a single cover in our set… He just didn’t know that the songs he had heard on...
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