Rock your winter Sunday in Jozi
It’s winter, it’s cold and dry, people snuggle up indoors sometimes feeling gloomy, eating too much chocolate and wondering when summer will return…mmhh… Now zoom to a green leafy suburb not far from the heart of the city of Johannesburg on a Sunday afternoon in early winter, lazy happy residents stretch out on blankets under toasty sunlight and crisp blue skies surrounded by colourful people all tapping their feet to a live band. Tempted? You know you are. Catch the Old Mutual Encounters Concert on Sunday the 5 June at Emmarentia Dam: The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts is back with a brand new series. The last series of Old Mutual Encounters Concerts proved to be a standout success for this year’s calendar showcasing what many have regarded as one of the most eclectic and ground breaking collection of line-ups. This new season promises to be filled with more headlining acts and some new kids on the block creating an outstanding musical experience for all. The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts MK Vredefest will get the ball rolling for this thrilling series at the ambient setting of the Emmarentia Dam, in the Johannesburg Botanic gardens on the 6 June. Audiences can look forward to exhilarating live stage acts from aKING, Fokofpolisiekar, Tidal Waves and Zebra & Giraffe. Cape Town based band aKING, brings you a new sound that is an enticing mixture of foot-tapping beats and a dynamic blend of musical style. Described as intense and relentless, this performance will definitely not be one to miss! Join in on the mind-blowing and high energy live show of Afrikaans alternative rock band Fokofpolisiekar. Formed in 2003, this band has since gone from strength to strength, injecting South African music scene with innovative rock tunes. Reggae band Tidal Waves are known for their song writing sophistication with their political and socially orientated lyrics. Fans can enjoy a fantastic and impressive sound and will be sure to witness a musical masterpiece. Pushing the musical envelope, Zebra & Giraffe, with their unique look and music, will bring something original and exciting to the Johannesburg music scene. Be sure to catch this year’s winner of the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album for their debut album “Collective Memories”. So launch your winter season with a big bang and come and join us for an unforgettable rock and roll experience and get ready to have fun in the sun and bask in the sound waves. Be sure to pack your umbrella, picnic blankets, and cooler boxes and let Old Mutual Encounters Concerts take care of the rest. Tickets are available via www.tunegum.com for R50 and...
Represent Review: Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Around Easter time, Cape Town has a certain air about it. It has nothing to do with Easter egg hunts, bunnies or anything of the sort. Birds seem to chirp, the wind whistles in tune, even the midday cannon ball seems to boom louder. Amidst all this, guitars are tuned, drums are propped up and pianos are reeled in, all in aid of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF). Gosh, you have to be in this city to feel the energy that the CTIJF carries with it (among the international artists that we all look forward to rubbing shoulders with). From the free concert that took place on Wednesday, April 1 – rather than the usual Thursday evenings – the line up was so exciting this year. They went all out for their 10th birthday to bring us a show to remember (and I most certainly do). CTIJF brought us the likes of Zap mama, Pete Philly & Perquisite, Mos Def, Diane Reeves, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, Incognito, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Zaki Ibrahim, 340ml, Maceo Parker – to name but a few. Now obviously I’d need to multiply myself to catch every artist or band but since that’s not humanly possible, I can only tell you about what I did manage to catch. On Friday, April 3 I got to see Pete Philly & Perquisite, safely my favourite dutch hip hop duo. This was their second performance at the CTIJF – and I got to see both. I remember falling in love with this band some 3 or 4 years ago. Their sound is so fresh and they are simply perfect together. The flow of Pete Philly’s voice dances on the beat in a way that radiates through your body. And this year, they weren’t any different. I listened to some Goldfish with their ever faithful Cape Tonian sound that never disappoints. But – and this is not to discredit any other artist – the highlight (possibly of the whole festival) was Zap Mama. The leading woman is absolutely beautiful with a voice that I could’ve grown up to and at the same time something my kids will grow up to – it’s timeless, soulful and elevating. Not only can she beat box with the best of them but she completely took us by surprise when she performed a Miriam Makeba song…in Zulu. It was magnificent. On Saturday I started the day early with usisi Abigail Kubheka. She was nostalgic as ever performing classics that I remember hearing when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Zaki Ibrahim started right in the middle of usisi Abigail so I rushed...
Everybody’s ♡ing BLK JKS
I remember the first time I saw Blk Jks was the night our *shy* little band Pesheya shared the stage with them at ROKA in Milpark early 07, we were both opening acts for the always AWESOME Uju… That night I thought *damn* these guys are crazy, their eclectic blend of rock ‘n roll madness was enough to confuse any neatly playlisted South African. Now, proudly listening to their set at SXSW, I can confirm, they are totally loopy… crazy … and loving it! The best part is, hungry for something fresh and tasty, the rest of the music world seems fascinated by these boys mashing up styles all the way from Johannesburg and are lapping them up in big dollops. Join them on their ride on and upwards – read all about Blk Jxs in this month’s Vanity Fair and listen to their mad beats at SXSW (thanks Quicy for the link). Could this be the debut of SA music on the international stage – AT LAST? REPRESENT! PS: SO UJU when is the rest of the music world finally going to get to listen to you??? We still have our money on you. *kisses from...
A taste of what’s to come. Cassette.
Represents good friend, Andrew Wessels and his group South African pop/rock band Cassette have been hard at it putting together their latest album together for their adoring fans. We’re delighted and wish them all the best – come on dudes, let’s blow it up. Watch the video below that gives a taste of what’s to come… Look out for the new single, “Who Do You Trust” on radio’s everywhere! Look out for a huge South African tour coming March. Look out for the huge international tour coming in April/May In the meantime, here is some...
PTA/STB: Tassenberg Legends Live Series in March 2009
Tassies is getting it’s shoulder firmly behind South African music with a major sponsorship in March as part of their Tassenberg Legends Live Series in Stellenbosch and Pretoria. Largely featuring popular Afrikaans musicians, the Tassenberg series showcases exclusive acoustic performances by celebrated South African musical artists. We can just imagine the rooiwyn baabelaases. Geniet julle! Audiences can look forward to thrilling live stage acts from Van Coke Kartel on the 10th March at Aandklas in Stellenbosch, and a whole week of performances by renowned artists at the Dorpstraat Theatre for the annual Stellenbosch’ Woordfees. Gauteng crowds can also anticipate two superb musical acts from Ashtray Electric on the 19th March at Ting an’ Times, Pretoria and Karen Zoid on the 27th March at the Steak ‘n Ale in Pretoria. Join in on the mind-blowing and high energy live show of Van Coke Kartel on the 10th of March at Aandklas, Stellenbosch. Van Coke Kartel will be toning it down a bit by performing an acoustic show with Francois van Coke on acoustic guitar and vocals, Wynand Myburgh playing an upright bass and Justin Kruger on drums and percussion. Going slow definitely does not mean slowing down for this South African band. Cape Town based indie/rock band Ashtray Electric brings you a fresh new sound that is a tantalizing mixture of foot-tapping beats and a dynamic blend of musical style. Ashtray Electric, with its very unique look and sound, will bring something new and exciting to the Pretoria music scene. Be sure to catch this band on the 19th of March at Tings an’ Times in Pretoria. Winner of the South African Music Award for Best Female Artist in 2008 and acclaimed songwriter, Karen Zoid will be performing an unplugged set on the 27th March at the Steak ‘n Ale in Pretoria. The award-winning national icon, will definitely entertain all, with her and truly South African style music and melodic guitar riffs. The popular “Doppies” system promotion will be taking place during all the events so be sure to bring all your Tassenberg bottle tops along to claim some exclusive and limited prizes. So launch your musical year with a big bang and come and join in on an unforgettable “Tassies” musical experience. Tings ‘an Times, Pretoria Show: Tickets, can be bought at the show 19th March: Ashtray Electric (R30) Steak ‘n Ale, Pretoria Show: Tickets, which can be bought at the show 27th March: Karen Zoid (R80) Aandklas, Stellenbosch Show: Tickets can be bought before and at the show: 10th March: Van Coke Kartel (R30) For more information on the Van Coke Kartel gig at Aandklas in Stellenbosch, please...
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