Represent Review: Niemand/Lonehill Estate
Representah John went to check out Niemand and Lonehill Estate at Carnival City – the bottom line is the same old story guys, we need to support our hard-working and superbly talented artists more – let’s get behind them and attend as many shows as we can. This is what Represent is all about so let’s Represent! Here’s Johns words, Sharpile!: I don’t know what the issue is, marketing, the fans or winter? Twice I’ve gone to see a show at Carnival City, first the Carnival Pops, and now the Niemand show – and both times the venue was almost empty. I really feel for the excellent performers on stage having to play to almost empty halls. Friday night’s show by Niemand really lived up to it’s name as almost no one pitched to see the show. That said, the show was brilliant. Niemand is one of the best acts I’ve ever seen on the local scene and were it not for the awkward seating arrangements, we would have been dancing and rocking violently. They delivered what I expected and more. The highlight of the show though, was the opening act – Lonehill Estate. Wow ! These young guys are playing at a level only seen in seasoned performers. Why they opened for Niemand is beyond me because they deserve their own show. The front man Nathan Ro has an incredible voice and it helps that he is a born performer. He presented the songs in a funny, sometimes sad and always most entertaining manner. He has the charisma of a dictator on stage yet will stun you when he and the band do an ad-libbed song, with words and themes – including musical keys – from the audience. He is a REAL “Soutie” and yet he enthralled the small crowd with his take of an Afrikaans song. The rest of the band, The President (well deserved name) and Sunshine D, is VERY capable but the base player, Gabriel Craig, stunned us. The guy is so versatile – after playing base for a few songs he switched to piano, penny whistle and the flute. Wow – what a talent! The show gets full marks – it’s entertaining – a bit loud so leave the old folks at home – and tickled our feet which left us wanting for space to dance. Come on everyone! This kind of talent deserves better support all...
Represent Review: Carnival Symphonic Pops
We’re usually a bit skeptical about any mass produced show that ends in …”pops” but one of our citizen journo’s John was eager to give the Carnival Symphonic Pops a spin … turns out the cast was filled with heavy weights and we missed out. Then again, if PJ’s in it it’s gotta rock 😉 Sharpile to John for the review: The new Carnival Symphonic Pops at Carnival City was a true spectacle featuring the wonderful Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and some of SA’s best singing and musical talents. We were warmly greeted by Clint Cunningham, energetic and fun – doing a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Despite an arm injury, the man delivered a solid performance. The music ranged from Viennese medley’s by Rina Hugo to George Benson and Loyiso Bala getting the crowd clapping. Mauritz Lotz – the brilliant guitar player – stunned the audience by playing Nessun Dorma (Ed: an Aria from a Puccini opera) on his guitar and demonstrated how the electric guitar should be played – truly amazing. The show also featured some young talent – Werner van Coller and Ansuje. One of the true highlights of the show was the performance of Sibongile Mngoma. She had the crowd stunned while singing “When you believe” with Rina Hugo and then doing an operatic piece “La Wally”. Wow, what an amazingly clear voice. Andre Schwartz sang the ever popular “Music of the night” from Phantom of the Opera – at this point half the audience was either crying or shaking their heads in amazement – Andre delivered an amazing performance – I can see why he was selected to perform the roll of Phantom at the State Theatre. PJ Powers did a very energetic and mad performance – those that know her style can tell you that she delivers fun and energy. Coenie de Villiers did a medley of his own songs – good as usual – as can be expected from such a seasoned performer. Overall the show was excellent – good sound quality – brilliant band – and with highlights like Sibongile Mngoma and Andre Schwartz’s rendition of Barcelona making the hair on your back stand up – all makes for a good evening of...
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