Call for interest – Newtown Diwali Festival
Jun15

Call for interest – Newtown Diwali Festival

After a triumphant event last year, organisers of the Newtown Diwali Festival are proud to announce that preparations are underway for the Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 which will take place on the 27th of October 2007, in the Newtown Cultural Precinct.  After logging a record attendance of over 40 000 festival-goers last year, coordinators of the Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 are now calling on all cultural and community organisations to submit expressions of interest to participate in their cultural programme which will take centre stage at the festival.  Last year’s cultural programme showcased a high caliber of local talent, resulting in a dazzling programme of music, song and dance. Interested organisations should contact Festival Programme Coordinator, Ravi Naidoo on ravi@newtowndiwalifestival.co.za .  Please cc all mail to r.naidoo@telkomsa.net.  Submissions must include: the name of the organisation, contact person, all contact details, the category of participation (ie. music, song or dance), genre of item (ie. classical, semi-classical, fusion, modern), a brief description of the item and the approximate duration. The closing date for all submissions is Friday, 28 July 2007.  For additional information, Ravi Naidoo may be contacted on 082 923 5622. The Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 takes place in the Newtown Cultural Precinct on Saturday, the 27th of October from 10am to late.  Entrance is...

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Fall Out Boy support bands announced
Jun15

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,...

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Represent Review & photos: 5FM Soweto
Jun12

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...

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Check out Morafe’s sweet new video
Jun07

Check out Morafe’s sweet new video

Check out Morafe’s brand new spanking music video (one of Jozi’s hardest working bands we know and lurve – see their MySpace here).  It’s called Lekwalo to Motswako (Letter to Motswako).  We love it!  It’s really catchy and grows on you – especially the bridge.  Awesome Jozi backgrounds – nice styles boyz! KG always loving your soulful sweet voice, Towdee – gooi’ing the Afrikaans ne… “rhymesnyer!”.   And Khuli… as smooth and sexy as always.  We’re still watching your rising naledi (star!) bafethu!  Maybe a SAMA next year and maybe in the right category 😉 ? Proud of you and behind you and looking forward to the next exciting stage. Just one thing, who’s the 4th dude ? Watch Lekwalo to Motswako below: [youtube]GM0tALpFWKI[/youtube] Some background from Tonight : The music video showcases the whole Matswako family such as HHP, Mo’Molemi, Tuks Senganga, etc. This reunion communicates that they are driven by the same values, moving towards the same direction and stand as a unity. Says Khulani, “The aim of this music video is to show Morafe at work, in studio, in the corporate world. Morafe is here and it’s a family affair!” Morafe is a Hip Hop group that fuses vernacular rap with a twist of soul and R&B. The group has three members, namely; Kgaugelo (aka Kay-G), Khulani (aka Khuli) and Lerothodi (aka Towdee). The group has gone for a Vintage look and feel but the Morafe image is still maintained — stylishly calm with brilliant taste . The music video is for their track titled Lekwalo to Motswako (Letter to Motswako) sampled from Letta Mbuli’s song. This will be one of the few music video’s shot on film in South Africa. Says Towdee, “This video symbolizes the unity within Motswako City. It’s a letter to our fans, our followers, letting them know that we are individuals, therefore there will be issues, but we are all cool.” Says Kay G “This video is a message to all supporters of South African music, vernacular music in particular, we are here and we are not going anywhere. It’s a pledge to our supporters: as long as they keep supporting, we will keep the good stuff...

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TICKETS! First 5FM live broadcast in Soweto
Jun05

TICKETS! First 5FM live broadcast in Soweto

*To win a pair of tickets for Saturday please email the editor with subject 5FM, include your name, age and cell number asap!*  We know two people that went to the 5FM Roger Goode party last weekend and neither of them could stop grinning about it… so we’re sure this weekend’s gig is going to be just as  memorable – but it also has a twist.  Witness history as 5FM’s Roger Goode (and the station in general) have a live broadcast eKasi (hello!!! Where u been??) It’s at the Backroom in Pimville this Saturday night – R50 gets you in.  Let’s hope they make it a regular part of their vibe now.  Represent! They have travelled far & wide playing at sell-out venues across SA…  This Saturday, 5FM & Roger Goode make history by concluding the “Saturday Surgery Vol 3” CD tour at Backroom in Soweto. This is the first time ever for a live 5FM broadcast from Soweto.   The doors for Saturday’s party opens from 5pm, leading up to a live broadcast of 5FM’s Saturday Surgery from 6pm.   Roger has just wrapped production on the highly anticipated 3rd instalment of his popular “Saturday Surgery” CD compilation series. To celebrate the release of this selection of stylish electronic/dance music culture, Roger’s 5FM show The Saturday Surgery (Saturdays 6-10pm) is hitting party spots all over SA for one of the hottest & biggest CD/live music tours to ever hit the local party scene.   Below follows the line-up for the live broadcast and party this weekend: Saturday 9 June 2007 Backroom, Soweto, Johannesburg 6pm – Roger Goode (5FM) 7pm – Daddy H & the SoulCandi SoundSystem 8pm – DJ Terrance 9pm until late! – Roger Goode (5FM)   Ticket price: R50 Tickets available at the...

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