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Jozifest Burns Down the Highway Skyline

one small seed — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:34:21 +0000

©Tomorrow Never Happened

Picture this, directly underneath the M1 Highway is a stage blaring the most potent of dub-step; non-stop. A sea of possessed bodies going crazy giving way to sound at the speed of 140bpm – repetitively. It’s a powerful sound that gives impetus to move like possessed junkies.

Its high energy, charged with the kind of electric feel MGMT sing of and just simply the stuff an epic party is made of. Just a few feet away is another crowd, with a low hanging cloud of smoke and the smell of Mary Jane in the air, bopping to the sounds of the reggae soul of Tidal Wave. Around the corner in a little nook is some hardcore drum ’n bass enough to break ya’ fucking neck. Jozifest boasted three stages; The Mash stage, The Monster Energy stage and the KillCool Stage. The Mash stage was truly pumping!

In the heart of Newtown, the alternative capital, The Mills complex provided the platform for one of the most fervent celebrations of live music in the city of Johannesburg. Jozifest emphatically brought back live music festival culture to the very pulse of Joburg living. Too often, one has to slum it out in the ‘bundus’ to get a fix of raw live performances and a taste of live music festivals. In a different strand, Jozifest unlike Oppikopi, Synergy or Rocking the Daises, ditches the veld to bring a Live Music Festival to the fabric of the city of Johannesburg.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

The poster reads: ‘One Weekend, 11 International Acts and over 40 of South Africa’s most renowned artists!’ The organisers delivered on that promise, though there were some bands missing in action due to last minute cancellations or for whatever reasons. I could have sworn there were more and more artists as the line up just kept getting better. Big-ups has to go to the organisers (Cool Runnings, Fourways; Killcool; Hilltop Live; Monster Energy ) for plugging in some of South Africa’s biggest live acts. The programme featured aKing, Zebra and Giraffe, Fokofpolisiekar, Double Adapter, Taxi Violence, Tasha Baxter, Popskaar, Foto Na Dans, Lark and Josie Field to name but a few local smashing acts. Never mind the fact that crowd puller – Die Antwoord - snubbed the fest last minute to make an appearance at the David Letterman show, the turnout was beyond massive. It really shows the hunger for live music in Jozi.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

I guess my only side eye was the frantic shuffle in programme, which meant I missed some of my favoured acts. Lark was scheduled to perform in the afternoon on Sat, but while spinning in the vortex of dubstep; heard I missed them in the evening. What the fuck.

On the main stage, Tidal Waves murdered everyone with some reggae blues. ‘Original music for original people’ is their mantra and boy do they deliver. These guys are so talented they had me wondering where the hell they have been considering they have been in this game for 10 years. Tasha Baxter was lively on stage. I charge the organisers with a crime, a good crime: there was just so much variety to choose from. Good quality music is rare nowadays and to be spoilt with an awesome line up like this is a treat.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

I set out to achieve three things at Jozifest.

1) Get a long overdue education on dub-step; its music I dig, but constantly get twisted. My ignorance comes to mind, when I once chirpily Tweeted that Spoek Mathambo had some sort of dub-step vibe and being met with a strong disapproving ‘I hate that shit’ response from Spoek. So you can understand just how essential dub-step 101 is.

2) Interview as many bands and get them to say something quirky but secretly stupid for one small seed.

3) To document the weirdest encounters, that so often transpires at music fests.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

First objective, well it kind of happened randomly. I spotted a lonesome tired looking chicky seated on a dilapidated couch in the VIP room. In an attempt to be funny, I quipped to my friend: ‘she looks like she would know a thing or two about dub-step.’ Hang on, so it turns out it’s Dj Sideshow post her crazy set, which I missed but heard some awesome reviews. I had no cooking clue that the figure behind Sideshow is a female. ‘I made it rain’ she says, she is not joking. It had literally started raining. As her set unfolded, the heavens had poured down.

So Dj Sideshow explains that they are different types of dub-step. That much I get. ‘Dub-step is about different levels and raising basslines.’ She says she is more gangster. I laugh, and then revert back to a straight face. She explains that she infuses hip-hop sounds into the bass and reverberant drum patterns that are classically dub-step. It’s quite a deep sound. Another Dj that impressed was Kennedy, who for a moment looked ready to launch himself into the crowd. I have never in my life moved with such imprecision and lack of rhythm, but oh so content with it. Those are the makings of a solid Dj.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

With my all access pass, I really had the freedom to interview any band. But in a frustrating turn, I ended playing an annoying game: ‘hunt-the-band’. Who knew that spotting bands and artists, in a sea of mass produced hipsters of the same ilk would be so hard? aKing, Zebra and Giraffe, Grooverider, Sub-Zero; I have only this to say, ‘where the fuck were you guys?’ Granted I don’t know what half of you folk look like anyway.

Spotted Tamara Dey all chilled out supporting local talent which leads to the begging question: ‘how the hell was Flash Republic not invited to perform?’ Organisers, please note that the flash generation is anticipating a Flash republic appearance next year. I love those guys, but let me rather take this rant to Twitter instead. She whispered in my ear that she is working on a solo project that feeds off her interest in fashion and music. Watch that space.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

I hijacked Paulo and Rui from 340ml just before they were going to go rock on. I ask them what they are about to serve up with their set? ‘Short and powerful’ says Rui. I dig these guys muchly. Paulo was quite chuffed that the Festival has found a new home in Newtown as this place is their ‘first love.’ Did I mention how laid back and cool these guys? Cooler than a Maputo sun downer.

In all honesty, there is no rosy way to say this: shit got real and then hit the fan. Just the way I like it; crazy, more crazy, throw in a bit of debauchery, some cotch on the shoes and you know a music fest has delivered the goods.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

Also managed to have a fleeting moment with Josie Field while chilling with her posie in the VIP lounge. I make fun of the fact that did she get an invite coz her name phonetically resembles Jozi? Ok, lame joke but an ice-breaker nonetheless. In actual fact, we had chatted before but was cool seeing her in her true element; in a live music environment. What we both observe is the diversity on display. There was everything for everyone; dub-step, electro, rock, alternative rock, acoustic sounds and reggae. There were stalls, beer chugging, the distinct boerie on the sizzle, the occasional slip in the gutter. There were all kinds of hipsters, conscious afro dread brothers, the jock, vintage gays, mini-skirt girls and more.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

Words: Saint-Francis Tohlang

Images: Tomorrow Never Happened

UPDATE: Please note changes have been made to this article. The original full-length version has been uploaded. There were some critical errors that have been amended, and we apologize for the misinterpretations made, particularly around the dub-step genre. Big-ups to Steve aka Audiophile for filling us in on the comments he’s been getting.

Thanks for all those who read the piece and have been commenting on it.

DIALOGUES WITH SPOEK MATHAMBO

one small seed — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:17:25 +0000

An interview conducted a while back. Enjoy…

Sarah Claire: So Spoek, tell me a bit about yourself.

Spoek Mathambo: I’m an Ndebele prince, rapper, dancer, DJ, dreamer, illustrator and graphic artist. I live between Johannesburg and Malmö Sweden. I work as various art/music collectives… Namely: MSHINI WAM, SWEAT X, PLAYDOE and DJ as HIVIV. You can get my township-tech sothocore world bass mixes on the net. My favourite one is called ‘Devil House Mafias 2.’

What are you all about?

I am about absolutely nothing specific. More than being an identity based on content, I am interested in the world.

What inspires you?

Everything. The latest thing that has inspired me is Red, the homeless G-funk beat box and Gou Miyagi the Japanese skateboarder. I usually document everything that inspires me on my blog ZOMBO (http://2faced1.com/zombo). For a long time I made a specific point of making Africa my central inspiration…but I think I am trying to transcend petty nationalism and ‘isms.’

What’s the first album you ever bought?

The ‘Above The Rim’ original soundtrack featuring H-Town, Lady of Rage and Tupac.

Do you even bother buying albums?

Yes… It’s f%*king important to my life! I spent my entire teenage period developing my concept of ownership based on my records and CDs.

What’s your all-time favourite track?

Tough to say… changes ever day…today it’s Doneao – Be Mine.

Describe Sweat X in a sentence.

Markus and Spoek having fun.

What’s next… ?

More world tours, more boobs…onward and up.

Your partner-in-beats, Markus – what three things come to mind?

Literary genius, Musical genius, lying son of a bitch!

Favourite festival?

Valtifest in Amsterdam…Oslo live in Norway. Sibot and I played a great festival in Metz in France. Le Printemps de Bourges in France was great… It was amazing to watch The Brian Jonestown Massacre. They also had a huge SA contingent with BLK JKS , Gazelle, 340ml, Die Antwoord and PLAYDOE.

Is improvisation important to you?

A show with no improvisation is a schitt show for us. Routine is schitt.

Why do you dress so funny?

Your mother dresses funny.

What about bringing out a clothing label? What would you call it?

I am currently doing some collaboration designs with label called Doe out of Cape Town. I work on prints under the name Zombo and am working on some knitwear pieces at present.

If you could MC alongside someone – anyone – who would it be?

Iggy Pop, Sun Ra, Prince, Fela Kuti.

What’s the most insane thing you’ve ever done?

Eaten a box of cigarettes.

What’s next for Spoek?

“%^&%@$”And I will be breeding…little Spoeks.

So from myself and Spoek, “don’t be a f#*king dinosaur…use the Internet and talk to your counterparts all over the world.”

Check out the latest album review of Spoek Mathambo’s Mshini Wam in the latest issue of one small seed, issue 22 – the “Hi, my name is Joburg” edition – or right HERE on onesmallseed.com!