Represent Review: Jamming Sundays
We’re always moaning about the lack of good live jazz in Jozi – moan no more, here’s yet another Represent solution for wafting away the Sunday Blues – good jazz and good people. Catch the best of breed muso’s at Partyhouse at the Dome – a little bird has been tweeting about Siphokazi for ages – sounds like she’s for real. Sharpile! to Linda for the gorgeous pic of Siphokazi and her soulful Sunday story. I attended my first “Jamming Sundays” on Sunday afternoon. This was the third in a series of concerts aimed at jazz and adult contemporary music enthusiasts. Much more than a concert, it’s also an opportunity to network, mingle, and just chill out as you get ready for the week ahead. The concert was held at the Partyhouse at The Dome in Northgate – a really nice venue for a concert – big enough so there’s no crowding and pushing at the bar, but also small enough for the artists to really interact with their audience. And what a vibrant audience it was! SAMA award winner Siphokazi and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse were the headline acts on this Sunday’s bill. The opening act was Maxhoba (aka Max-Hoba, famous for his collaborations with HHP). I was blown away by his vocal talent and versatility. I have watched him perform, as a backing vocalist to HHP, but never on his own. He performed his own songs exceptionally, and also gave a unique flavour to ‘Tomorrow Nation’ by O’Yaba and ‘One Love’ by the legendary Bob Marley. I was particularly impressed by his rendition of ‘Please Baby Don’t’ – which John Legend sang on Sergio Mendes’ Timeless album – but he brought the house down when he sang the late Jabu Khanyile’s ‘Ungavumi’ as distinctively as Khanyile himself would have. Next up was Siphokazi. This was my first time watching her perform. In fact, I hadn’t heard much of her music other than one or two tracks that get often played on the radio; so I was quite curious to find out what she’s all about. Her voice is incredible – rich and powerful, which was surprising to me, given that she is quite soft-spoken. I remembered reading a few articles in which she was referred to as ‘the next Simphiwe Dana’. With due respect to Ms Dana, I can say categorically that Siphokazi is not the next anyone! She is a phenomenal talent in her own right. I enjoyed her authentic energy, her gracefulness and her voice, which is truly stunning. She scats like a queen from a bygone era – reminiscent of those jazz greats like Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn. I...
Kelis was in the Green House!
What an awesome night at Joburg’s best new venue, the temporary Dome at Constitution Hill or “ConHill” as we fondly call it. Represent’s home is just next door – so we could hear the bands warming up in the afternoon and see the green glow as the evening approached – it was to be a night that would be hard to forget. See the photies here. The gorgeous architectural lines of the urban setting were junglefied and turned to green as Heineken made their mark as the first event in the awesome dome. At first the crowd was reluctant to go inside to dance to Lady Leah – everyone was cosy in the plush outside bar and lounge area soaking up the magnificent urban panorama. Sexy aluminium (we think) Heineken bottles clinked as old friends reunited – it was certainly the hip crowd of Jozi with everybody who’s somebody snacking on the abundant food on offer. We’re not talking about two-bit celebs, leaches or wannabes, we’re talking about the creme de la artists, comedians, musicians, film makers, creatives, journalists, event organisers, PR peeps, paparazzi, IT heads… the place to be! Certainly an inspiring diverse and happening crowd. The Hillbrow tower watched over us as revellers bopped to the poppy electro tunes of Tamara Dey and her band Flash Republic, eagerly waiting for the suprise performer. It was none other than Kelis who’s performance blew us away and had the crowds chanting for more. She picked us up, shook us around a bit and left us dazzled by not only her gold attire but her fantastic talent and stage presence. It was one of those parties that ended in the inevitable dancing circles to the sounds of our old favourite DJ Monde – good to see him back on the decks – it’s been a while! Even Editorista gave a bash at some tsipa’ring but her twalatsa stole the show. Thing is, it’s been a long time since we’ve been to an event that had us excited, the mystery around the international act had a “Lucky Strike” underground feel to it and the buzz of the crowds was electric. Congrats to Sam, Melanie, Lebo and the rest of the team from Speakers Corner for yet another outstanding event. Big Ups to Heineken. You know you guys know what’s going on. We can’t wait for the next one. Hope you keen suprising us – that was your...
Fall Out Boy support bands announced
Rockers, you’re in for another treat – 94.7 are bringing Fall Out Boy to South Africa in July and they’ll be supported by some of our top rock/indie bands FEVERTREE, J, LOVE JONES and HARRIS TWEED: We’ve waited in anticipation for details of the local line-up, and now The 94.7 TOP 8 @ 8 are thrilled to announce that joining headlining band FALL OUT BOY, are local favourites FEVERTREE, J, LOVE JONES, and HARRIS TWEED. It’s going to be a BIG NITE OUT, on the 20th of July at Joburg’s Coca-Cola Dome! FALL OUT BOY are climbing the ranks on 94.7’s Top 8@8, with their new single, “Thank You for the Memories”, following in the footsteps of “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race”, which reached the No.1 position. The American rockers have constructed a distinctive sound, combining darkly comical lyricism, soulful voices, and a backdrop of pop, punk, and hardcore. “No frills” rock with choruses that stick and lines that fans tattoo on their bodies. It is only fitting that the hottest South African talent share the bill… FEVERTREE are famed for their raw live performances, their gritty, uplifting rock-pop sound, and powerful ballads. Their debut album, Quest for a Cure, dominated South African radio with five top-ten singles. Along with extensive airplay, the album received rave reviews, and the band was nominated for “Best Adult Contemporary Album” in the 2004 SAMAs. Their latest album, “Under a New Regime”, was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, and a hungry public. J writes honest pop songs, and then turns them into sprawling Indie masterpieces. He’s only been in South Africa for a year and has already signed record, publishing and management deals, written a host of autobiographical songs, and convinced a respected international producer to record his debut album. Not only does prolific songwriter pen his own songs, he played nearly all of the instruments on the album, and arranged the strings too! LOVE JONES is a dynamic fusion of the most appealing elements of rock ‘n roll and popular music – raw power prettied up with the glossy overtones of accessible pop. The band formed in 2005, and found themselves rocking up a storm on a cold night at Splashy Fen – their first ever performance. Their self-titled debut album thrilled local fans and enabled the band to compete on an international level, with its first single invading the airwaves countrywide. Since the release of HARRIS TWEED’s debut album ‘The Younger’, the duo have become one of the most affecting live acts in the country. They’ve performed numerous local gigs, supported Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez,...
Hellphones put together June 16th Youth day
Have you planned how you’ll be spending your Youth day yet? Over the next few days we’ll be letting you know what’s happening on June 16th next weekend – this one’s obviously for any youf dat love rock… ROCK ON Boksburg! They hail from Charlize Theron’s hometown, and they think they are even better looking! Benoni-based rock n roll band The Hellphones have put together a rocking Youth Day Show in Boksburg for the 16th of June. “We are really looking forward to the show,” commented Tenn Eliot, the bands singer, “We have put together a cool line-up of our good mates and other East rand bands, and we reckon its going to be a killer show!” Taking place on Saturday 16 June at Trotters pub in Boksburg, this all day bash will kick off at 2pm and features The Hellphones, Fuzigish, The New Academics, as well as fellow East Randers Holly and The Woods, the Smoots and Ill Audio. There will be a mammoth raffle with a Dean guitar as the major prize as well as CD’s merchandise and other goodies. On the day there will be beer stands as well as food and plenty of entertainment. The legendary Cellar Door crew will be there spinning tunes in between acts and taking the party into the night once the bands have finished. Entrance will be an incredible R50.00 only, for all 6 bands AND the DJ’s and you do stand a chance to win big with the raffle too. “This is going to be a huge show for us,” continued Elliot, “We want to show the rest of Joburg that the East rand knows how to party, and what better to do that than June 16?!” So come on out and party with The Hellphones and all their friends and be a part of the action! The Details: The Hellphones UK Fund raiser Saturday 16 June Trotters Pub, Dakota Street, Impala Park, Boksburg Doors open 2pm R50.00 All welcome Food available all day Line-UP: -Fuzigish -The Hellphones – The New Academics – Holly and The woods – The Smoots – Ill Audio Plus The Cellar Door DJ’s! Buy an additional R10.00 ticket and win a prize hamper worth R6 000.00 including CD’s a Dean Guitar and more! Check out http://www.hellphones.co.za/ or www.myspace.com/hellphones for updates! Shot to the Chiz as...
Mary J Blige new dates
Here are the new dates (we thought we’d wait a bit before posting them) The new dates will see the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, kicking off in Johannesburg at the Coca-Cola Dome on 18 October, before heading to Durban’s Westridge Park Stadium on the 19th followed by the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town on the 21st of October 2007. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May was postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates. ********************* What a letdown – Mary J Blige’s concert has been ‘postponed’ – boohoo – we await more info but here’s the official PR for now: MARY J BLIGE POSTPONES UPCOMING TOUR METRO FM, Edgars Music Series and Big Concerts regretfully announce the postponement of Mary J. Blige’s highly anticipated South African tour. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May has been postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. NEW TOUR DATES will be released early next week. “Edgars has had a profound effect on the music scene for the past seven years through Edgars Music Series (EMS), its sponsorship of music events both on a national and international scale in South Africa. It is unfortunate that the tour has been postponed, and Edgars would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to Edgars’ customers and Edgars Music Series supporters. However, both Mary J Blige and keen EMS supporters can still look forward to a fantastic showcase once the dates are established,” says Dineo Sobantu, Events & Sponsorship Manager for Edgars Chain. “As media partners for the Mary J Blige tour Metro FM welcome the fact that tour is still going to take place later in the year and hope that her fans and listeners have not been too inconvenienced,” said Bob Mabena, acting station manager Metro FM.. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates The South African media described her as having a “smouldering stage presence” during her April 2000 concerts in, which saw her performing to 48 000 ecstatic fans countrywide. Critics and fans alike will be floored by her powerful combination of modern R&B with an edgy rap, and electrifying live performances when she performs in South Africa in October. For further information log on to: www.edgarsmusicseries.co.za or www.bigconcerts.co.za ****************************** “Well I hope she’s better than last time” has been the wary comment from two of my friends and “WHOOHOOHOO” from everyone else that heard that the...
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