These days most jobs come with some type of perk, whether it’s a shiny company car, a blackberry, or even a fat expense account. So what are the perks of working behind a bar? Well the answer is simple, free gigs, yes people ‘FREE’ gigs. As many as a person could want. And if you’re a music slut like me, then there’s no better perk to be had. So keep your company car, cell phone or expense account, I want live music and I want it free!

Friday and Saturday nights behind the bar of one of Cape Town’s premier clubs, Assembly, is where you’ll find me. Chances are if you’re a band worth your salt in South Africa, you would have graced the Assembly stage and I was probably watching whilst feeding liquor to the seething masses. Mind you, not all bands are a pleasure to watch, I’ve seen (on rare occasions) performances that sounded like a sadist was swinging a bag of cats against a wall. But that wasn’t the case for one recent Saturday night. This particular night was indeed a treat – a triple bill of awesomeness – three bands, three genre’s, three headliners and a packed club.

As the punters flocked through the doors, the anticipation of the bender to follow was palpable. Like parched animals to water they wandered over to the bar as if on autopilot and kicked off proceedings with some social lubrication (booze – for those still not following). Their eyes glistened in anticipation like excited children.

The first band on stage was a young trio by the name of ‘The Plastics’, and by the time they’d come on, the club had become a primordial beast with a single consciousness that must be fed. And it was The Plastics who would deliver. South Africa’s answer to The Kooks, The Plastics rocked out with their own brand of up-beat indie that had the crowd bouncing in unison. The end of their set was met with rowdy cheers and shouts for ‘encore’!

The interlude saw patrons rush the bar before the next act. Guys bought several drinks at a time to avoid a return trip, a well planned tactic because you wouldn’t want to miss the second act, Jack Parow. Parow is a member of the new wave Afrikaans music scene in South Africa. A wave that has pretty much been a raucous saving grace to Afrikaans music…transforming it from obscurity and amplifying it into the lime light. His music can be described as phat hip-hop electro beats, accompanied by some classic uncensored Afrikaan’s lyrics.

His music will have you jamming like a seasoned B-Boy, even if you don’t understand a word he’s saying. Jack Parow proves that music can transcend all language barriers. By the end of his set the crowd was shouting “Parow, Parow, Parow” and first time listeners were hooked on his unique South African flavour.

Saving the best for last, Gazelle, the third and final took the stage. After recently returning from their world tour, this was Gazzelle’s first appearance on home soil since 2009. Described as ‘Afro Pop’; a fusion between reggae, ska and a bit of good old jazz funk, this unique blend combines to create music that will have you smiling ear to ear for their entire set.

Unfortunately, as with all good things, must come to an end and people don’t want to leave. Eventually we’d switch the lights on and turn the music off to convince the stragglers the night is in-fact over and while you don’t have to go home, you cant stay here…





Tags: , , , , , , , ,