Represent Review & photos: 5FM Soweto
She’s just landed in Joburg and already AmorAmor’s getting down ekasi – see some pics here: Man! What do you say about a 5FM house music gig in Soweto? First thing that comes to mind: “What took them so long?” This past Saturday a bunch of us from Represent had the pleasure of being part of 5FM’s first ever broadcast of the Saturday Surgery live and direct from the Backroom, Pimville, Soweto. Roger Goode’s CD launch tour chose a brilliant venue for their last stop.
The Backroom is stylish, funky and spacious. So funky that the model set pulled in around 9pm and ensconced themselves in the VIP area. We were loving the kasi drinking style of one bottle and several glasses or a smokey ice-bucket teetering with cold beverages to keep the table happy all night long… so much better than to-ing-and fro-ing to the bar. Everyone was working the smart-casual dress-code with flair (even us average Joes), the people were friendly, the vibe was relaxed and hopping and the music was perfect for an easy night out. Combine all this and you get a club that holds it’s own against any of Jozi’s “up-market” night venues, without being snobby.
Granted for non-locals, getting there is not for the faint of heart (I’d be lost for sure if it wasn’t for our navigator) but this just means you gotta get you some friends that know the way. On the way to the party we all wondered why this was the first time 5FM is broadcasting their popular dance show live from Soweto and how they would be received. I mean, we are all aware of how hard the station has been working to broaden their demographic base- but, have their efforts been successful?
There was no queue when we arrived around 6:30 (press release said first set at 6pm) and only a few people inside. Let’s be honest, we were worried! Was 5FM going to be rejected as a vestige of the whitening (I made that up) of our African culture? Or would they prove that they can bridge the gap and bring it home? We decide to play it neutral and write off the slow turn-out to the fact that no self-respecting party animal leaves the house before 7pm at the earliest.
We were right. Around 8 the crowd started pouring in (still early for Jozi) and by 9 it was pumping. Not the over-flowing, two-block-waiting line we’re all led to believe follows the 5fm gigs, but very respectable. Whether this was due to 5FM’s popularity or the naturally inviting nature of the people of Soweto… well I’ll leave the market research guys to decide.
But enough with the social commentary! This is all about the music. At 6 Roger Goode started us off with some smooth house as he began his live broadcast. Props to all DJs who do it! I could not. The music was uplifting but still smooth enough to make you feel like you’re being gently led into the evening and you want to follow.
7pm Daddy H and the SoulCandi SoundSystem upped the ante. The beats came harder and you felt yourself bopping to the rhythm, some people even got their boogie on early. 8pm DJ Terrance came on just in time to make all the ‘late-comers’ feel happy they came, and to make those of us who were already dancing feel like the booty had a purpose.
9pm Roger Goode was back with some thoroughly uplifting house and a surprise guest in the form of a live percussionist! It was the kind of thing that made you go, “Man I love being African”. The combination of smooth harmony and solid drum beats was just that little something you needed to free your feet. And the crowd was loving it!
By the time we left at 10:30 the party felt like it was just starting and well on it’s way to a Goode time (ha-ha, I love puns)… See our photo’s on Flickr right here.
[Additional words, Editorista].
