Freshlyground mesmerises IPA audience
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday June 27, 2016 18:00
The band’s musical style, which has elements of traditional South African music such as kwela, African folk music, blues, jazz and features of Indie rock kept the crowd on their toes as they sang along to their songs.
Other songs they perfomed included hits from their 2013 album The Legend, and songs from Nomvula, I’d like, and the crowd’s favourite Doo Be Doo, which helped the band achieve double platinum status.
The crowd could not hold back as they joined the group on stage when they perfomed their song Waka Waka (This time for Africa), which features Columbian pop star Shakira. Freshlyground kick-started their career in 2003 when they released their debut album Jika Jika. The commercial success of the album kick-started their career and reaffirmed their reputation as a fresh and vibrant young face in South African music. Nomvula album followed the following year, which achieved double platinum status in South Africa. The album included songs like, Doo Be Doo, I’d Like, and Mowbray Kaap. In 2007 they released another album Macheri, which had tracks; Pot Belly, Fired Up and Desire. In 2010 the band released an album called Radio Africa followed by The Legend in 2013, which they said captures the emotion, passion and the energy of their live performances.
Other acts of the night included one of Botswana’s talented poets, Benson Phuthego, with his deep, resonant voice, as well as the celebrated Mophato Dance Theatre. The acts put up sterling performances.