We Are The Champions, My Friend!
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Concert
Concerts, Competitions, Celebrations, Collaborations…What an exciting time for South African music lovers!
Author: Estelle Venter (estelle.vent@gmail.com)
World Cup Celebration
Only the biggest superstars from across the globe could match the buzz of an international sporting event such as The 2010 FIFA World Cup. The result is a breathtaking line-up of A-listers including John Legend, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas and Shakira slated to perform at the opening ceremony of The World Cup on 10 June 2010 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The FIFA World Cup football tournament is the world’s most watched sporting event, with the previous World Cup (in Germany) attracting a global audience of a whopping 26 billion viewers. This year is the first time the FIFA World Cup will be hosted by an African country, and 32 national teams from all over the world will take part on South African soil in the hope of being crowned the world champions.
Some more info on the artists:
Alicia Keys
This American singer and accomplished classical pianist have released 4 studio albums to date. Her debut album: “Songs In A Minor” was released in 2001 and has sold in excess of 12 million copies, rocketing her to stardom with soulful R&B tracks such as “Fallin’” and “A Woman’s Worth”.
Angelique Kidjo
The singer/songwriter from the Republic of Benin is noted for her diverse musical influences. She has bagged many awards including a Kora and a Grammy. She has performed alongside U2, Alicia Keys, and Joan Baez to name only a few, and is actively involved in various charity efforts and organizations including UNICEF, Oxfam and LiveEarth.
Black Eyed Peas
The multi Grammy award winning outfit consists of Fergie, Will.i.am, Taboo and Apl.de.ap. Originally the band wanted Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls) to front them but she declined due to commitments with another band. Today they are surely thanking their lucky stars. The public instantly fell in love with Fergie and along with a slight change in musical direction – from bad-ass rappers to dance/electro rap – the rest was history. The band will be releasing their next album later this year.
BLK JKS
Rock, African style! This band was established in 2000 and has made such an impression that they were soon signed by indie rock label Secretly Canadian. They have also performed at the SXSW and Big Chill Festivals.
John Legend
R&B/Soul singer John Legend needs no introduction. This son of a seamstress and factory worker rocketed to stardom with his December 2004 debut release: “Get Lifted” and has since wowed with 2 more albums: “Once Again” and “Evolver”.
Juanes
He is called Juanes as his full name is impossible to pronounce! His genre is Latin rock/pop and he serves this up with a good portion of African and Hispanic rhythms. Not sure where he gets the African influence from: He is a Columbian from Basque decent. Good music!
Shakira
Even though her first two albums were commercial flops, her third attempt: Laundry Service gained her the recognition she so rightfully deserves. The belly dancing singer is hails from Columbia but currently resides in The Bahamas.
The Parlotones
If you don’t know who they are, you deserve to be stoned! We loved their latest offering: Stardust Galaxies as much as previous releases – this band is the reason we believe South African rock is on par with the best international acts. Catch the band for a Mother’s Day celebration on 9 May at the Menlyn Events Arena. Tickets at Computicket.
Tinariwen
This band consists of various musicians from the SaharaDesert region of Northern Mali. The band was formed in 1979 but never had a set line-up due to the Tuareg nomadic lifestyle and the difficulties of transportation and communication in the Sahara region. Therefore many of their performances and recordings feature different artists with only a few regulars. Their style is mostly guitar-driven and also features the shepherd’s flute (a man’s instrument) and a one-string fiddle (the woman’s instrument).
Vusi Mahlasela
This Sotho african folk singer is as much part of South African households as Mrs. Balls is. Mahlasela have performed on various stages internationally and have recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambaza. The general themes in his songs are struggle for freedom, forgiveness, and reconciliation with enemies.
Vieux Farka Touré
This Malian singer and guitarist is the son of a musician and credit much of his musical ability to the exposure to arts from an early age. His released his debut album in 2006 and has since signed to Six Degrees Records in San Francisco.
Amadou & Mariam
Amadou & Mariam met at the Mali's Institute for the Young Blind and soon discovered their shared passion for music. The now-married blind performers have supported Coldplay, Blur & Scissor Sisters in the past and also recorded the official 2006 World Cup anthem together with Herbert Grönemeyer.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.computicket.com or via phone on 083 915 8000 and range from R450 – R1400. All proceeds from this 3 hour extravaganza will be donated to “20 Centers for 2010”: the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which aims to build 20 centers across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.
Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
In celebration of their biffday, Old Mutual has organized two very exclusive and very free concerts! These Encounters concerts will be take place on Sunday 9 May 2010 at Backsberg wine estate, Stellenbosch and on Sunday 16 May 2010 at Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia Dam. The line-up include: Johnny Clegg, Freshlyground, Lira, Goldfish, Gang of Instrumentals, Arno Carstens and Malaika.
The aim of this concert is to reward Old Mutual’s loyal clients: To apply for tickets simply register with your ID and policy number at www.omday.co.za. Don’t fret if you don’t have an Old Mutual policy: If you have a connection or a couzie who is an OM client, they can get you a ticket through “gifting”. Bring along your picnic basket, ID book and your party hats! For more info visit www.omday.co.za.
Solo Slash
Even though Slash has always performed in a band he is well-known for his personal musical ability. But it was only recently that he decided to further the Slash brand and release a solo album. After 3 decades in the industry, his debut self-titled album has hit the shelves to widespread positive reviews. This 13-track album features artists across the board, from the bat-biter Ozzy to the very pop-licious Fergie and the melodic Adam Levine. Very interesting, indeed! Says Slash: “I thought: ‘You know, that would be a fun thing to do, where I get a bunch of different people to guest on my record as opposed to me appearing on everybody else’s records” If you’re worried about a pop or emo feel, don’t be: “It’s all pretty much in the spirit of rock 'n' roll, even the slower songs, even the ballads.”
Interestingly enough: this album features four of the five members of GnR from the “Appetite for Destruction” era, with the fifth one who is not featured, being Axl Rose. It has long been known that the guitarist and Rose do not exactly go on boys’ night out together. This breakdown in their relationship climaxed in approximately 1996 when Axl’s attitude problems – and also his paranoia – were at a peak. Axl edited the “Sympathy For The Devil” track without any permission or any input from the band mates, and this act of defiance was the last straw for Slash who promptly quit the band. Through the years Slash has been open to a possible reunion, but Rose has been less so, calling Slash a cancer and some other nasties. Only rockers bitch more than woman!
However, the break from Guns n Roses did not hurt Slash’s career as the guitarist formed part of many other successful projects including Velvet Revolver and now his solo career. For a feel of the album check out: Beautiful Dangerous, Gotten, I Hold On and We're All Gonna Die. Love It!
Bits!
- Legendary Yvonne Chaka Chaka has just recorded a track with the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am. This collaboration comes ahead of her much anticipated Homeland tour which will see her sharing stages with top South African musicians such as Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and Lira. The track will soon be available on www.massivegood.org.
- Another (very unlikely) collaboration: R&B singer Kelly Rowland teamed up with crooner Michael Buble to remix The Bee Gees’ 1977 single: “How Deep Is Your Love”. The track was originally written for the movie: Saturday Night Fever. Check it out!
- News for the culturally refined: You read the book; you saw the movie, now Ian McEwan’s Atonement is set to become an opera. McEwan is currently working on an adaption with composer Michael Berkeley and poet Craig Raine. “Atonement” is set in World War II and centres on a love affair doomed by a child’s misunderstanding. Not only was the novel nominated for a Booker Prize, but the film adaption was nominated for 7 Oscars. Unfortunately the wait will be long: the production is scheduled for a 2013 premiere.
- Too bad when a musician’s name becomes familiar not for the tunes he makes but rather for his (unwanted?) affection in a tent at KKNK. No matter what he does his career is now over. Not a big loss though…I don’t know anyone who knew who Wynand “Windpomp” Burger was to begin with. Yawn.
- After the huge lip-syncing hoo-ha during the 2008’s Beijing Olympics, China passed legislation that lip syncing – or fake singing, as it is known in China – is illegal. Now, nearly two years later, the very first transgressors have been fined a hefty 50 000 Yuan (about R51 000) each. I take it, ole Brit won’t be visiting China very soon.
- English alternative rock band, Supergrass, have announced their split. After nearly 2 decades and 6 albums, the band is calling it quits due to “…artistic differences…”Another yawn. We suspect the actual reason is that Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey doesn’t have much time for the band anymore now that their side project: The Hotrats is coming off the ground.
You Said It, Baby!
“I’m just a musical prostitute, dear!”
Freddie Mercury
“I don’t deserve a Songwriters Hall of Fame Award. But fifteen years ago, I had a brain operation and I didn’t deserve that, either. So I’ll keep it.”
Quincy Jones
Sources
www.tonight.co.za; www.mtv.com; www.goodhopefm.co.za; www.fifa.com; www.nymag.com; www.news24.com; www.iol.com; www.wikipedia.org; www.computicket.com; www.kidjo.com; www.amadou-mariam.com; www.mio.co.za; www.grinningplanet.com; www.bizcommunity.com; www.basa.co.za; www.oldmutual.co.za;