A shaking floor, flashing lights, smoke-filled air and dancing crowd was the scene at the Rhodes Union on the night of Wednesday 17 August. Local rock bands, Zebra and Giraffe and Van Coke Kartel brought rock music to Grahamstown on their Haal Asem Kwagga Tour around South Africa.
Fans could hardly control their excitement, and there was an electrifying presence as the first band stepped onto stage. The message was clear: Zebra and Giraffe was there to entertain.
A shaking floor, flashing lights, smoke-filled air and dancing crowd was the scene at the Rhodes Union on the night of Wednesday 17 August. Local rock bands, Zebra and Giraffe and Van Coke Kartel brought rock music to Grahamstown on their Haal Asem Kwagga Tour around South Africa.
Fans could hardly control their excitement, and there was an electrifying presence as the first band stepped onto stage. The message was clear: Zebra and Giraffe was there to entertain.
The MTV Africa Music Award-winning band opened the concert with a bang and had the crowd singing and springing to their song, “In my eyes”.
The five-man piece continued to feed the hungry ears in front of them with a combination of old and new songs. T
hey rocked their way through each song, although they hardly interacted with the crowd.
The quality of the music was superb, however, and it was no surprise that the crowd was asking for more at the end of the set.
Called back onto stage for an encore, Zebra and Giraffe then spoiled the crowd with their hit song, The Knife.
Next up, Afrikaans band Van Coke Kartel took to the stage, and, true to rock music expectations of good musicianship and enthralling live performances, they did dissapoint.
Lead guitarist, Jedd Kossew, performed outstanding solos and lead singer, Francios van Coke connected with the crowd, entertaining fans with his amusing facial expressions and body language.
The band brought the concert to close with the ballad, Voor ons stof word (Before we turn to dust), bringing the jumping crowd to a gentle sway.
Van Coke Kartel proved its music is not just about being the loudest and foulest, but that each artist brings his own remarkable talent to the group and this it is what makes the band’s live performances so brilliant to behold. Both bands’ concerts are highly recommended.
