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 his music.
This man rocks!! It was great to see full-bellied, guitar-playing Zulu men in traditional attire dancing up a storm on stage, making the largely Zulu crowd proud of their heritage and reminding all of us of life in rural KZN.
Luckily I actually got to hear “Imbizo” (although again to my shame I had to have someone actually point it out to me). This man fulfilled a bardic function during a time when it was needed and his name, which apparantly means “drink the medicine”, is obviously well deserved.
Deluxe were next. I remember chatting to Torsten (Fertenfelt, the singer) just before he made the decision to pursue his music dreams full time, and (wow) he has managed to get noticed in a relatively short time period. Their slick CD cover design is not the only thing that has got Deluxe noticed: their sincere, heartfelt lyrics and performance has won many reviewers over. (Torsten is also rather cute – I reckon they are notching up the groupies, for sure.) The crowd loved them and the waving arms were a delight to watch.
SHANA rocked the house! What hotties, in their matching gear with their engaging expressions. This is the group that were famously discovered by Busi Mhlongo at Durban’s BAT centre. Their two dancers worked up quite a sweat and really got the crowd going.
The City Bowl Mizers were an unexpected surprise, and the variety of tongue-in-cheek dance interpretations from the crowd had me in stitches. Put fast-beat rockabilly on after smooth SHANA and you get a lot of Minnie Mouse-type bouncing around and ACDC rip-offs (and many bemused expressions).
This was then followed by The Soul Brothers, who formed in 1974 (before I was born!). It might have made more sense to start the show with this act, but respect where respect is due: The Soul Brothers are one of KZN’s most successful cultural exports and are still able to please a crowd.
And then…what the the majority came for, T’zozo en Professor, in their matching convict-style striped shirts. The duo who gave us the anthem “Woz’ eDurban” rocked their home crowd.
DJ Tira and Sox wove the acts seamlessly into an impactful event.
This was a great night out, with slick production and top acts, and the fact that each act only performed three songs kept up the pace. Let’s hope this becomes an annual event.
The only thing vaguely uncomfortable about my evening: a delay in getting into the parking meant I had to drive around for 20 minutes on a full bladder (but it was made worth it when I saw Randall Abraham’s ensuing hissy-fit…hee hee).
And I saw two ladies ripping off the dance style of one European-tourist-looking-older-lady who boogied all night with a huge grin on her face – come on guys, be nice. Surely someone having fun is a good thing?
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17 September
THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN WON AND THE COMPETITION IS CLOSED!
Winners of the CELL C tickets are:
JULIE SOL
NORA SITHOLE
LEE STONE
ANGELA VAN ZYL
There’s one more set to go…
YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES – Ufun’ukujiva… Woz’ eDurban!! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The first Cell C Sound of the City showcase, in association with Edgars, blew Jozi apart with a concert that featured the definitive kwaito, kwela, afro pop, house and local rock sounds of Joburg city. Durban is the next stop.
On Saturday 24 September eThekwini will showcase some of the distinctive indigenous and urban sounds of the city fondly known as ‘South Africa’s playground’. Durban’s hottest urban music exports T’zozo en Professor will be rocking the first Cell C Sound of the City showcase at the Durban Exhibition Centre, with the city’s unofficial anthem ‘Woz’eDurban’.
Joining them on the line up are SHANA, Soul Brothers, Phuzekhemsi, City Bowl Mizers, Deluxe and Durban’s finest – Tira and Sox.
The artists will perform the hits that made them famous, with Tira and Sox on the turntables holding it all together mixing between sets. There are no breaks – it’s wall to wall the sounds of Durban for 2 hours. Tickets cost R70 from computicket.
The dynamic duo Tzozo en Professor, both born in Durban, in Umgababa and Umlazi respectively, are the first biggest recruit to come out of Durban into the kwaito industry via Kalawa Jazmee. Having worked individually on tracks off the BOP CD in 2004 with songs like “Shiyi scefe,” and “Volovolo” (the remix of “Life iSkorokoro”) – T’zozo and Professor both had two major Kalawa producers Oskido and Spikiri envisioning the birth of a duo, and now people from all around the country are chanting ‘Maw’fun’ ukujiva woze Durban’ (come to Durban for a good time).
The diverse and talented dance music group SHANA (Simply Hot And Naturally African), discovered by prominent Mbhaqanga musician Busi Mhlongo, has worked with the likes of acclaimed house DJ Christos (of DJs@Work), and recently with dance music queen Lebo Mathosa (of Boom Shaka) on their hit track ‘Benga’.
Phuzekhemisi is widely acknowledged as the king of maskanda, and the people’s voice. His debut album Imbizo in 1989 was a runaway success, and was followed by Emaphalamende, which featured the hugely popular hit Udlayedwa. Expect a performance featuring songs from all his multi platinum selling albums – Impimpi, Ngo ’49, Izwe Alithuthuki and Imikhonto.
Little can prepare audiences for the super-charged energy that flows from the stage, every time the legendary Soul Brothers perform. Led by the soaring Hammond organ riffs of Moses Ngwenya and the sweeping vocals of David Masondo the Soul Brothers are the undisputed kings of Mbaqanga.
Completing the line up are the much talked about rock quartet Deluxe whose debut album is receiving critical reviews and whose festival performances are legendary; and The City Bowl Mizers – A five-piece Band that play a fusion of genre’s ranging from swing, jazz, rock n’roll to pop.
The artists perform on a custom built stage, the entire backdrop to which is a state of the art 20m LED screen that will project performances, art, words and images in a visual tribute to the music of Durban. Of the 3000 tickets available only 2000 tickets are on sale to the public, the rest are by appointment only.
Each of the Cell C Sound of the City showcases will be will be edited into 30-minute television specials to be broadcast on SABC1 – The Cell C Sound Of The City Durban showcase will be broadcast on October 23
Tickets for Cell C’s Sound Of The City at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Saturday 24th September cost R70 and are on sale at computicket. All proceeds from Cell C’s Sound Of The City in association with Edgar will be channeled through to developmental causes including the various music initiatives the company supports.
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26 August
CLICK HERE FOR PICS OF THE CELL C PARTY
We were delighted to be included in the Cell C Sound of the City party in Joburg and for 5 of our readers to get invited too – thanks Cell C and Total Exposure.
But you know us, we can’t just come, hang around the VIP area and pout, we gotta take lots of pics and give our readers the who’s schmooze of the event.
Well there’s good news and bad news… Let’s get the bad out of the way first. We think that the first and only major negative of the Joburg Cell C event was (drumroll)…. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.
It’s what any well-versed events organiser always does first in this ‘Youth Market Events World Cup…’ find an interesting and unique venue hopefully with lots of (existing) ambience and the logistics to cater for every production need. Essential.
Sandton Convention Centre just does not have that edge that many of us associate with the Cell C brand. It’s very bland. And it’s a bit of a cheek to call the event ‘Sound of the city’ and then hold it in the boring and shallow Northern Suburbs – what about our recuperating city? Cell C has done a lot there – maybe they thought it was Sandton’s turn?
Sounds of the city – which musicians do you know of that live or hang out in Sandton except maybe Amor Vittone who is immediately disqualified? Which music emanates from Sandton? What about the Standard Bank Arena? It can hold more than 3000 and is in ‘the zone’. Surely Cell C people aren’t scared of driving in the city?
The other gripe we won’t go into because the VIP area is never our chosen spot and we are not spoilt brats, but the bars in the VIP lounge were REAAALLLY slow. We considered ditching the freebies and going to the better run paying bars but our lazy sense prevailed – and of course the gorgeous Loyiso was there to perve over. Thanks for the drinks!
AND NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS!!!!
What they did get right for us was a great mix of commercial musicians, that ONLY performed three to four songs each, keeping the night slick and pacy. The turn-around between artists was record-setting. If only other music events could be like this. Much more in line with the brand than the venue. But in defence of the staging, the stage was magnificent, with incredibly huge screens backing up the musicians. The graphics or VJ’ing were top class – whoever VJ’d rocks! We also loved the four C’s made from red parcans – simple but oh so sweet.
And even though we weren’t truly in the city, the people of Joburg were there to REPRESENT our diversity en masse, with a vibrant kaleidoscope of party people and celebs, all having a fantastic time.
Our highlight of the night was getting caught up in a giant ‘busstop’ dance during the Malaika set, thankfully we knew the steps and were able to shake it, but the real spirit of the event was revealed when those that didn’t know the moves were generously coached by fellow guests until they got it right. Hope they got that on the camera’s.
Musically, although there were no HOT HOT HOT current names, the musicians that were chosen were absolutely appropriate for the platform and the crowd lapped them up with many SAMA 2005 winners taking the spotlight…
Musical tolerance abounded, breaking down the deeply-engrained audience stereotypes – what a delight to see whitey’s bouncing to Brown Dash and darkies head-banging to Karen Zoid. You can’t put us in a box. Let’s enjoy these moments for now, for we believe in a few years as our culture metamorphosizes there will be nothing magic about them – they will just be normal and common.
We caught Don Laka, Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Malaika and Brown Dash featuring an ‘injured’ Mzekezeke on a crutch – Mzeke’s over-acting was clearly a diss to Sandton where just a few days ago he was involved in a late-night parking lot scene at the convention centre with a local Sandton aunty who made numerous accusations against this much-loved gentle clown.
We were amazed at how obedient all the smokers were, filing out of the room down a level and cramming onto a miniscule balcony to have a fag – there must be a vehement anti-smoker in the Cell C ranks to put smokers through such a mission but we actually enjoyed the ‘fresh air’ and view of the construction site of the nearly finished Michaelangelo Towers.
Well done to the team – nice one. We look forward to the Durban and Cape Town events.
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8 August
UPDATE
The winners for tonight’s party in Joburg are…
Lebogang Nkoane
Gavin Steingo
Gen Melville
Phephile Ginindza
Garth Williams.
Congratulations! We’ll see you there!
Don’t forget to watch this space for upcoming parties in Cape Town and Durban and tickets to be won!!
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If Memphis gave us the blues, and Detroit soul, what did Johannesburg Cape
Town and Durban give us? Find out at this series of concerts in each of these three major cities featuring the sounds that rock their streets.
Represent has 5 sets of double tickets to give away to the Joburg event… simply name three types of music that Cell C will be show-casing at the Joburg party and email your answer, with your name, age and contact details to Editista. Hurry Up! Watch this space for updates and tickets to the Durban and Cape Town events.
Ever wondered what the soundtrack to Johannesburg would be? And how would it compare to Durban? And what does Cape Town sound like? Well we’re about to find out with Cell C’s Sound Of The City – a three city live music showcase that reflects the distinct musical styles born on the streets of South Africa.
Each Cell C Sound Of The City showcase – in Johannesburg 8 August, on 24 September in Durban and on 26 November in Cape Town – will feature leading artists from the genres those cities produced, presented on a scale normally reserved for touring artists or major international award ceremonies. The artists come together sharing one musical heritage and it is a diverse and daring mix not usually presented on one stage.
The first Cell C Sound Of The City showcase at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg 8 August, is an eclectic all-star eight artist line up reflecting some of the genres that came from, and continue to define Johannesburg: kwaito, kwela, afropop, house and South African rock.
From the hit-generating sounds of young afro-pop outfit Malaika to the kwela infused moves of Mafikizolo, to kwaito superstar Brown Dash, as well as the eclectic and exhilarating sounds of neo-rock band the Parlotones and Afrikaans wild child Karen Zoid. Topping up the impressive line up is Don Laka who’s left his fingerprints everywhere, and the sultry jazz tinged
sounds of fast rising star Zamajobe. Completing the picture is Oscar, whose influence on the Johannesburg music sound is both diverse and immense: producer (Kalawa Jazzmee records – Boom Shaka, Trompies, Mafikizolo), performer (Brothers Of Peace) and DJ.
With the artists performing only their major hits, songs that define them and their music, Cell C Sound Of the City is a two-hour non stop party with Oscar on the turntables providing the glue that holds it all together seamlessly – He’ll mix into each of the artists’ performances, through the changeovers and into the new sets. No words, just a musical MC.
The entire backdrop of the custom built stage is a state of the art 20m LCD screen that will project performances, art, words and images in a visual tribute to the music of Johannesburg. Of the 3000 tickets available only 1500 tickets will go on sale to the public, the rest are by appointment only.
Each of the Cell C Sound of the City showcases will be will be edited into a 30-minute television special to be broadcast on SABC1 – The Cell C Sound Of The City Johannesburg showcase will be broadcast on September 4.
Tickets for Cell C’s Sound Of The City at the Sandton Convention Centre in
Johannesburg on Monday 8th August cost R70 and are on sale at computicket.
All proceeds from Cell C’s Sound Of The City will be channelled through to developmental causes including the various music initiatives the company supports.
On 24 September Cell C’s Sound of The City shifts its attention to Durban and the music that came from the East Coast – maskandi, mbaqanga, isicathamiya, pop – and then moves to showcase the musical soul of the Mother City in Cape Town on the 26 November.
