FreshlyGround home at last
It’s the classic scenario with so many of our brilliant SA talents – Marcus Wyatt, JustJinger, Tumi, Siya Makuzeni, Soweto Gospel Choir and even T-Boz (yes… Mr P!) and JC (yes the waistcoat wearing white Zulu). So often they spend more time in Europe playing to adoring foreign fans that we wonder if they’ve immigrated. There’s something sad about the fact that our stars are lapped up overseas yet often play to half-full halls here at home with super chipile door prices that can’t make them any money – but… like a lot of things… we’re used to it. Our wonderful musical diplomats Freshly Ground are about to go on their first national tour (well in a long time anyway) here ekhaya and we urge you to buy your ticket and get amongst… PS: Guys – thanks for your Potbelly song, it confirms what us voluptuous people always suspected – that we rock! Details below.
It’s been three years since FRESHLYGROUND last released a studio album. Since then this Cape Town based seven-piece has become nothing short of a popular music sensation, selling 250 000 copies of 2004’s ‘Nomvula’, earning an MTV Europe Music Award, racking up huge radio airplay and performing live before a massive number of people.
The band has toured extensively over the last two years across Southern Africa and Europe, and they have plans to tackle Australia and the US over the next couple of years. All this and Freshlyground have yet to tour South Africa!
Freshlyground, Volkswagen South Africa and Gearhouse are pleased to announce that from early next month – all that will change! The band’s new album ‘Ma’cheri’ was released locally in September. Spurred by their current smash hit ‘Pot Belly’, the amazing album has already racked up Platinum plus sales status. To promote the record and re-connect with the largest possible number of their loyal South African fans, the band is to embark on a spectacular four city National Tour, running from the 2nd to the 11th of November.
The band and their management decided to put the tour together themselves without the assistance of a promoter: “Firstly, live performance is key for Freshlyground, and we wish to retain total creative control over the tour. Even more importantly, we’ve chosen to do it ourselves as a move towards empowering the band – and hopefully South African musicians as a whole – who often take a back seat when it comes to supporting international tours. This country hosts major international acts every year, yet few promoters are willing to risk touring local musicians on this scale.” says Freshlyground manager Sevi Spanoudi.
As the title sponsor of this tour, Volkswagen believes in the people of South Africa and the incredible contribution that people can play in taking this vibrant country into the future. Volkswagen’s brand values reflect honesty, charm and integrity. It is these values that will thrive in a new positive South Africa and, hence, the perfect fit between music for the people and cars for the people. Both Volkswagen and Gearhouse believe in the band and in promoting South African Music to a level on a par with international acts. The tour will see Freshlyground showcasing the biggest hits off all three of their albums, using a world-class lighting and staging backdrop, specially designed by Gearhouse for this event. The tour will feature guest musicians as well as support acts before the band at each show.
The tour kicks off at the new Grand Arena at the Grand West Casino on 2 November in Cape Town. On 6 November the show moves to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Sports Centre in Port Elizabeth. The next stop is Durban on 8 November, where the band performs outdoors on the beach-front at the Sun Coast Casino. The tour wraps up in Johannesburg with two shows at the Sandton Convention Centre, on 10 & 11 November.
All tickets will be available through Computicket, contact their Call Centre on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000 or 083 131 Tickets start from R80 for students up till R150.00. Ticket bought at the venue will cost 20% more. For more information please visit the band’s website http://www.freshlyground.com/ or email summertour@freshlyground.com
