Review: Cell C Sounds in Durban
Durban D-Va went along to the Durban Cell C Sounds of the City party – sounds like the party hit it’s target – letting people know just who Durban’s musical legends are… Good on you Cell C for helping us cross the cultural musical divide…. I’m reclining on an oversized white, fluffy couch-like shape, eating strawberries from a never-ending supply and drinking as many G&T…s as I like, while I watch the crowds milling about down below& Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a familiar face surrounded by white light. Flash to reality: The familiar face is Randall Abrahams and he is surrounded by the SABC TV crew who are interviewing him. This is clearly NOT heaven, it is in fact the VIP lounge at the Cell C (in association with Edgars) Sound of the City Durban gig. The concept behind the Cell C concerts is in keeping with the Cell C brand: celebrate South Africa’s urban creative spirit in a genre-blending concert that pays tribute to the music that generates from and encapsulates the city in question. (And, since all proceeds go to music-related development projects, this is a good way for Cell C and Edgars to spend their CSR budget.) All the media hype had me revved up to see what Durban might sound like, especially since the line-up included maskanda, rockabilly, mbaqanga, kwaito and rock, with musicians ranging in age from their late-teens to their sixties, all said to be woven seamlessly into one show by DJs Sox and Tira. The venue, part of Durban’s ICC, was perfect; large enough to give a sense of space, small enough to get close to the stage, and well laid out. The 20-metre LED backdrop screen and Cell C red-and-white theme completed the picture. Unfortunately, the turnout was obviously less than expected. Of the apparantly 2 000 tickets on sale to the public, it looked like a crowd of roughly 1 000 turned up. Perhaps the R70 ticket price was a little steep for people earning Durban salaries… But the view from the top was getting a little stale, so we headed down to the stage to get amongst the crowd… First up was Phuzekemisi. As I hang my head in shame, I must admit I never knew about this “wandering minstrel” (I know… it’s appalling). But by the time I actually heard his music I’d read enough to feel tremendous admiration for him. This is a man who spoke for the people during KZN’s turbulent 90’s, a man who got into trouble with chiefs and politicians alike for raising controversial community issues through...
Review: TAPDOGS – sounds like it’s worth it!
UPDATE – Megs went to see the show – It’s not often that I head south unless I’m flying somewhere, so it felt weird heading towards the airport last night and not hopping on a plane. I was off to see the show TAP DOGS at Emperor’s Palace and actually quite looking forward to it because secretly I spent much of my youth tap-dancing my parents to past crazy point. I would tap i…n the shower, tap under the dinner table, tap on the kitchen floor whilst my mom was preparing dinner and well it’s certainly not for anyone that can’t handle some hectic noise levels. It really is a great outlet for someone who gets a cathartic boost from creating chaos and cacophony wherever they go. And I imagine that the performers in the show were once a handful of youths eager to vent their excess energy by doing just that. The show was about 2 hours long but it certainly didn’t feel like a 2-hour stint in a hard chair. The ‘tappers’ (which is how I prefer to refer to them as it seems wrong to refer to such burly men as ‘tap dancers’) appeared in character as a group of construction workers and all the sets were steel beams and scaffolding. They appeared comfortable in this environment – probably inspired by real life. They gave a whole new slant on what can be done on a construction site in jeans, t-shirts and Blundstones (the popular Ozzie boot which makes them recongisable anywhere in the world). The show in my opinion was very creative and entertaining! Their tap boots (not shoes) weren’t the only things synchronised to the beat as they used lighting, gumboots on water, basketballs, microphones strapped to legs and even welders. The effects were suprising and unique. I loved it – the person that came with me just liked it! I guess I liked the speed, it’s distinctiveness, their humour (lets face it – you have to be able to laugh at yourself if you as an Ozzie are facing a South African audience who only days before thrashed you in the tri-nations), the masculinity, the noise, their casual unaffectedness and their cute butts in jeans (am I allowed to say that?). And they appeared to be enjoying it as much as the audience were – the tap that is, although I got the impression they quite like their butts in jeans too. It was a pity about the lady sitting in front of me wearing the mile-high turban and my recommendation is that if you’re lucky enough to get seats in the front...
LET DOWN: Global African HIP-HOP concert
CLICK HERE FOR PICS OF THE GLOBAL AFRICAN HIP-HOP CONCERT We were so excited about the Hip-Hop summit afterparty that we recruited a whole bunch of party people to come along with us. So when you read our criticisms of this event, know that the words emanate from a whole bunch of people with different …levels of expectations, taste and tolerance. We were very disappointed at the organisation of the event. You guys could have done better than that – seems like the logistics let down what could have been a great night. But that said, we still enjoyed ourselves. Here it is from the mouths of babes: “Do you think if we walk a bit further we’ll hit the Mandela Bridge” “My feet are killing me and we haven’t even found an entry that us plebs can go in yet!” “What happens if you didn’t buy your tickets beforehand? There’s no ‘box pffice’ or welcome desk or anything.” “Why is there this huge fence?” “Imagine how hard it is going to be to get out of here.” “Is someone taking note of the route we are taking to get in this place so we can find out way back to the car?” “You have to be kidding me.” “Should we just go home?” “Thank God.” “Nice stage! So good to be outside in the city air.” “Sorry do you know where the bar is?” “Who’s this on stage?” Who?” “How come Skwatta Kamp aren’t here if we’re representing on a global scale?” “I am so bored” “I am so thirsty” “i am so hungry” “Is that Prokid or Proverb?” “He rocks” “Proverb is incredible…” “I walked all around and I think the only place to get drinks is down there inside the Bassline. There’s no food on sale either” “Damn” “This feels like a seriously third world event” “Kind of empty hey” “They couldn’t have marketed very well if there’s only about 200 people here at 8:30pm” “I only heard about it today” “Ok shut up Breeze, you suck” “I think Breeze’s album just lost a whole lot of potential buyers” “Have they not heard of music in between acts – what is this babble?” “WHO is that chick and when is she going away?” “Quick changeover time, almost quicker than the bands themselves” “Let’s get out of here, I don’t think I can hide my drink in my jacket one more time” {in the bassline} “Do you think that barman sitting checking his sms’s while we stand and wait for drinks is the ‘baas’, because there’s a q and he doesn’t seem to care” “The savannahs are...
MUNT’AI – take a trip into the heart of the Indian community
Now you know that we love to do whatever we can to grow the Represent*ZA revolution and it’s people and the love we have for each other. One of the cultures that we’d love to get to know better has to be the vibrant and fascinating Indian Community, largely based in the greater areas of Lenasia, Laudium and Forsdburg in Johannesburg… But you know us, we like to HOOK us up and make it ha…ppen and all. The guys from MUNT COMEDY have organised two nights of Comedy “Munt’ai” in the heart of Laudium and Lenasia for both the local residents and cool people like you. All you have to do is choose the show that you want to go to and then buy your ticket from Computicket for only R95. (Tickets are limited!) The comedy features Riaad Moosa – one of the hottest talents out there as well as a whole lotta other funny and brilliant comedians. Believe us guys, we saw Riaad at the Loeries, he ROCKS! But we know not everyone knows their way around this crazy city and surrounds, so we’ve made a deal and all for Represent readers and friends that may get lost. For R30 only you get to park your car safely in Norwood and get driven in booming taxi shuttles to and from the Comedy Evening. So much of easy. Just EMAIL muntai@represent.co.za to book your seat in a taxi – hurry up, places are limited! Please tell everyone that you know that would love an evening in the heart of the Indian Community – come on Representers, let’s share who we are with each other and have a good lag while doing it. We have 5 tickets for the comdey to give away and one free taxi ride – just email editor@represent.co.za with the following answer – name one of the comedians performing at the show. MUNT’AI Laudium on the 12 November 2005 Lenasia 19 November 2005 Laudium 12 NOV info: Venue: Laudium Community Hall Time: 19H30 Tickets: R95, available at Video Razeena (260 Tangerine st) and SA India (4nd Ave). also at Computicket! Lenasia 17 NOV Venue: Ghandi Hall! Time: 19H30 Tickets: R95, available at Video Razeena (260 Tangerine st) and SA India (4nd Ave). also at Computicket! TRANSPORT: For an extra R30 people can park their vehicles at the 88 Parking Lot in Norwood. Booking essential for space please email muntai@represent.co.za. Closing date for bookings is Thursday 10 Nov for Laudium and Thursday 17 November for Lenasia. Safe parking address is 114 Ivy Rd, entrance on William St (behind the Norwood Woolworths). If you wish to be a...
BLANK NO LONGER Launch this Monday!
If you haven’t seen this little booklet around – as we termed it the ‘NO FRILLS’ guide to what’s happening in Jozi, it means you don’t get out enough. Get one in this month’s SL magazine. They’re having their launch party at the Horror Cafe on Monday night – click here for more info. Monday 21st of November 8pm at Horror Cafý. From Tom: “As you mig…ht know, Blank magazine is launched Monday 21st of November 8pm at Horror Cafý. We bring along some cool DJS and MCs : 2LANI, KID FONQUE, and this incredible MC : WADDY JONES (aka Max Normal), it will rock !” CU there, cheers! Tom 072 231 28 09 EMAIL TOM WATKIN TUDOR JONES – THE FANTASTIC KILL World Champion MC WATKIN TUDOR JONES is back with a wildly inventive and hugely popular live act, and an album that reflects his multiple personas, musical tastes, and relevant and irreverent views on the world around him and us. WATKIN makes FANTASTIC KILL alternative hip-hop live show with DJ FUCK on turntables, sampler, chaos pad, and feedback machine. WATKIN has performed all over the world and has collaborated with such famous artists as Blacalicious, What-what, Nelly Furtado, and Patricia Lewis. 2Lani, better known as ‘the Warrior’ has been breaking down dance floors all over the Johannesburg club scene since as far back as 1997. He plays his signature deep house sound regularly at hotspots like Carfax, 115, Sutra in Cape Town & Tilt in Durban. He is also in constant demand for high profile dance events such as Pretoria’s Sweet Sessions, every All Good event, the popular, monthly Movement parties & all of YFM’s birthday bashes. + KID FONQUE Since the far off days when Kid Fonque was messin about with downbeat and hip hop, legendary and original Liquid Lounging (now Lilo productions) picked up on the flavor and booked Fonque for numerous classic underground parties including More Togetherness and Bass and Blues. As nodding your head in chill rooms, 2nd floors & back bars in the Late 90s early 2000s was happening more often, a 2 ý year residency at 206 came his way.With a passion for music and a open environment to play Fonques taste and selection grew, instead of noddin the whole night you where finding yourself breakin, noddin, samban, and groovin to an amalgamation of sounds. Friendships and essential partnerships came from this open-minded playing; soon enough Troy (Inspirit recordings) would join kid on his musical excursions. Including a yearly partnership with G-Force at Rustlers called the Eclectic ride. A variety in styles and flavours started putting Fonque on main floors rockin’...
Etch-a-Sketch – Thursday night!
They don’t tell us much about the project but the site gets a Represent thumbs up – clean, minimalist, gorgeous, great colours… Thanks to Generalista for sending us the invite – looks amazing. It’s an event that showcases LIVE COLLABORATIONS between Art and Music – lip-smacking stuff! Click here to go there or check out the info below:NG “we’re are pioneering an exciting new initiative called Etch A Sketch. it’s going to be a bi-monthly experience into the unfamiliar edge where art and sound converge. what does that actually mean? well, every two months were going to create fresh, live collaborations between visual artists and musicians. for the first time ever in the entire universe. take a look at the peg to find out what’s happening and please forward to anyone else you think would be interested.” The Drill Hall, Point Blank Gallery, Joubert Park. Thursday 24 Novermber, 7:30pm. Cash bar. Secure parking inside. R30 entrance. Sound asqus mtkidu joýo orecchia Visuals mitch mtkidu templar Plus 3 guest...
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