Oh dear. Unfortunately, the first performer of the night, Lousie Day, was one of those artists. She has a pretty voice (and face), but she's really really really really boring. I guess she's okay if you like that type of non-offensive floppy pop background sound, but I struggled to stay awake and I don't think it was even eight o'clock yet. The next band, Jack Mantis, were better with their brand of acoustic, socially-conscious music. They also invited some of the individuals who will benefit greatly from support to the My LifE Foundation to guest sing on their last track.
Plush were next. Wow, I thought these guys had pretty much called it a day and, even though they are pretty nondescript, I can't really be mean about them because of Rory's obvious enthusiasm and the enjoyment that he gets from performing. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so happy and smiley; it's infectious.
I Scream and the Chocolate Stix were announced next and, never having heard of them before, I got all excited for a moment and thought they were actually going to bring out ice scream on chocolate sticks (yum). But, alas, it was four-piece funk hip hop band. I was kinda feeling them for the first song, Cape Town, but they then lost all my respect when the next song they sang was dedicated to, and about, Mr 2Oceansvibe blogger Seth Rotherham. Ugh. Gag, giant deep throat fest of note. If you have a strong stomach you can listen to it below.
Seth Rotherham 2oceansvibe by BandManager
Ok now I'll stop being nasty. On to the better half of the night. The very talented and diminutive Zolani, from Freshly Ground, honoured us with a beautiful acapella rendition of a few songs, including an amazing and spine-tingling rendition of a Bob Dylan song (the title of which I can't remember today and Google has failed me).
This was followed by the equally amazing, if not more so, Vusi Mahlasela who with just his soulful voice and acoustic guitar played some truly beautiful and stirring songs. This man has a true deep-seated passion and it's impossible not to feel it radiating from the stage and making your own heart sing just a little.
Ard Matthews, global ambassador for MyLifE, and Theo Crous were next and played Springbok's Blue Eyes and, even though Ard had to read the lyrics, it was a pretty good rendition. They followed it with the ever-popular What He Means.
Then the auction began. Sindy and I had joked earlier that they might fling the dreads of the recently shorn Ard into the crowd, and we wondered if it would be considered a good thing if you took one in the face. Obviously, so it seems, by the amount one dread made at the auction: a whopping total of R11 000 was bid (Now imagine if he had auctioned all of them). Next, an acoustic guitar signed by all the artists showcased that night managed to raise R40 000 for the worthy MyLifE Foundation.
For more info on MyLife, go to www.mylife.org.za.
