Post Malone x Nirvana Tribute

Normally singer-songwriter, rapper, producer and actor Post Malone wouldn't be in my musical radar, but he recently hosted a live concert in tribute to Nirvana. I knew Post Malone had previously played in various metal/rock bands, so my interest was slightly piqued at him tackling one of my favourite bands during high school. The final bit information that finally go me to click on the link and watch the video - Travis Barker of Blink-182 would be filling in as the drummer...

I never really disliked Post Malone, it was more indifference, but after watching the above video I am definitely a fan. I'm not yet sure if that fandom extends to his regular musical output. I'll have to spend an afternoon or two giving his albums a proper listen before I can make that decision.

Kahn live: An anti-review

Last night I got roped into attending the début solo performance of local musician, Kahn Morbee (The Parlotones). Following Kahn's advice of, 'not writing about what I don't like,' I'll simply tell you about my favourite part of the evening, and that I like the project's logo.

After playing a few new songs, Kahn asked if the audience wanted to hear a Parlotones song, which was met with several people in the audience cheering. Kahn asked for suggestions, at which point someone shouted "Shallow waters."

The irony is probably lost on foreign readers here, so I'll explain; Shallow waters is a song written and performed by another local band, Just Jinjer.

If you wish to hear what Kahn's solo effort sounds like, The candle is available on his website as a free download. It's not my cup of tea, but I'm sharing it anyway.

I'm going to Optimius Alive, Lisbon

I'm in the process of planning a work trip to Portugal, and it turns out that the Optimus Alive 2013 music festival is taking place in Lisbon the weekend I arrive. I'm pretty stoked about this, but at the same time I'm not sure whether I went to spend two days at a festival on my own. That said I'm sure to meet fellow festival goers at my hostel, etc., but I'm still a little hesitant.

Friday is out entirely as I'll still be making my way to Lisbon. That said, I am almost certainly going to attend Saturday. I arrive nice and early in the morning, so depending on the schedule I should be able to catch the entire day's line-up. If not, I'm really hoping to at least catch Crystal Castles, Editors and Jurassic5. I'm fairly certain Depeche Mode will perform towards the end of the day as they are Saturday's headliners.

Sunday looks like a good line-up too, with The Bloody Beetroots, Phoenix, Alt-J, and Kings of Leon. Both The Bloody Beetroots and Kings of Leon have previously toured South Africa, although I didn't attend either. From what I've heard from friends, or friends-of-friends, The Bloody Beetroots put on an incredible show, while Kings of Leon left many feeling quite disappointed. It was recently announced that Alt-J (∆) would be the international act at this years In the City (Johannesburg), and Rocking the Daisies (Cape Town). I'd never heard of them before that, so I wont feel to bad if I don't see them in either Portugal or South Africa.

So I've settled on only attending Saturday for now. I also have lectures to attend all day Monday, so attending the festival is probably ill advised, but it'd be very rock 'n roll to arrive at 9:00 AM Monday morning, to meet a bunch of strangers smelling like the burning ruins of a brewery.

I'll still keep an eye as additional artists are announced, but it'll take a massive act like Queens of the Stone Age or How to Destroy Angels to irreversibly convince me to attend Sunday too.

Kidofdoom awakens to release music for free

Kidofdoom is a local band, that has been largely off the radar for the last few years. They describe their music as 'deep space champion pop,' which pretty much sums up their sound. I last saw them perform in 2009 for the launch of their album 'My Faith in War' at a venue that has subsequently closed down.

I have fond memories of that night. I couldn't convince any of my friends to come with me. They were all put off by the fact that the band had 'doom,' and didn't think they would enjoy the music. After a little deliberation, I decided to go alone. I forget who the opening band was, or if there even was one. I was too busy indulging in double brandy and cokes. While standing on my own a fellow student approached me asking for 10c so that he could make up a Rand to put into the foosball table. I didn't have 10c, but I saw what he was up to and gave him R2 and said have a game on me. He said thanks, and then invited me to play as there were three of them, and if I joined we could have a game of doubles.

Several games later, and after a few more double brandies, Kidofdoom started to play. I moved closer to the stage and watched spell bound for the duration of their set. Kidofdoom tore through renditions of various tracks from both their albums. I was so engulfed in the music that I can't tell you how long they played for, but what I do remember is that the band was sweating from the excursion they had put into their performance. The effort was reciprocated by the crowd, as we were all drenched in sweat too.

Kidofdoom played their last song, put down their instruments, and to my disappointment went off stage. My disappointment was short lived however, as after a short interval the air was once again filled with music, this time by Haezer, who at the time was still a largely unknown act.

I remember jamming with my foosball colleagues for a bit, and then on my own. It was then that I was approached by Kidofdoom's drummer, who had smile on his face, and an outstretched arm. In his hand he had a copy of Kidofdoom's new album. He gave it to me. I was too taken aback, and or drunk, at the time to think of asking the band to sign the album. That's probably enough reminiscing for today.

What spurred on those fantastic memories was a post on Kidofdoom's Facebook page announcing that all of their music is available for free download. These will be limited to 100 downloads per track, so be quick. I'm really hoping that the recent increase of activity means that there are some future performances by the group on the cards, although a new track or two would be just as exciting.

Here's a neat remix of Kidofdoom's Gotham City by Haezer:

First song from the album Sound City: Real to reel

Credited as being written by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, an 18 second video snippet of Cut me some slack has been uploaded to cutmesomeslack.net. 

The site also contains a link to the 121212 Benefit Concert, at which the song was performed, and another link to pre-order a DRM-free download of the Sound City Movie for US$ 12.99 10 (for a limited time only).

Woman dies at Linkin Park concert

Following yesterday's tragedy, both Big Concerts and Linkin Park have confirmed that at a woman has passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained when an advertising tower collapsed outside of the Cape Town Stadium last night.

Big Concerts wrote the following Facebook update in the early hours of this morning:

Following the regrettable incident at Cape Town Stadium this evening, Big Concerts would like to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the injured persons and in particular the family of the fan who tragically passed away from injuries sustained when an advertising tower collapsed outside the stadium from gusting gale force winds. We would like to thank the City of Cape Town, the South African Police Services, and all the medics, doctors, and disaster risk personnel for their swift and professional response to this accident.

Soon after, Big Concerts reposted the sentiments that Linkin Park expressed through their website and Facebook page:

Following our performance tonight at Cape Town Stadium, we were advised that several people were injured as a result of the collapse of an advertising tower erected by Lucozade in the parking area outside the venue.

We wish to express our deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died as a result of her injuries.

Though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy.

After posting their initial, nonchalant Twitter update, "The CT wind got the better of some scaffolding, but no-one has been severely injured. Those affected have been attended to. Show goes on!" 

5FM finally acknowledged the severity of the incident, and apologised this morning, several hours after both Big Concerts and Linkin Park had already expressed their condolences. 

The radio station issued this short apology through their Twitter account, linking to an official statement (below), "Our thoughts & heartfelt condolences are with those affected by last night's tragic accident outside CT Stadium"

5FM's official statement, which also had the band's statement appended to the end:

We are deeply saddened to learn of last night's tragic accident, in which several people were injured when, due to strong winds, an advertising tower collapsed ouside [sic] the stadium. 

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family of the fan who passed away as a result of her injuries, as well as with those who were injured.

In my opinion this is far too little, too late from 5FM, especially considering they couldn't even bother to proof read the statement dealing with the death of a concert goer.

From what I've seen, Lucozade and the contractors responsible for setting up the advertising rig have yet to release any statements.

I wish a speedy, and full recovery to those injured in the incident, and offer my sympathies to the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life.

--Update 09/11/2012--

Lucozade have released the following statement.

Official Response

We are deeply saddened by these events and extend our sincere condolences to the family of the bereaved.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and those who witnessed the tragedy.

As tour sponsors of the concert, we are in close contact with the concert organizers and investigating authorities and will cooperate fully with them in their investigations.

Lucozade later updated their statement, saying that, "Out of respect for victims of this accident [they] will be not be actively promoting [their] tour sponsorship up to and at the final event."

Linkin Park concert accident (Cape Town)

According to two recent posts about the Linkin Park show happening in Cape Town. Part of the stage a Lucozade advertising structure collapsed blew over outside of the Cape Town Stadium. The following picture surfaced on Twitter, confirming that it was an advertising instalment, and not the stage.

Initial reports claimed that at least two people were critically injured. ER24, the responding emergency medical service, have said that approximately 20 people were injured with "Multiple injuries ranging from broken bones to cuts and bruises."

5FM callously tweeted, "The CT wind got the better of some scaffolding, but no-one has been severely injured. Those affected have been attended to. Show goes on!"

While ER24 posted the following three updates via Twitter:

"Multiple serious injuries at Green Point Stadium #Rock-concert following structural collapse"

"20 people injured in scaffolding collapse at Green Point Stadium, strong winds" 

"Multiple injuries ranging from broken bones to cuts and bruises"

Big Concerts however continued to post pictures on their Facebook page of happy concert-goers already inside the venue, before issuing the following statement:

MEDIA RELEASE

Update on scaffolding collapse at Linkin Park concert at Cape Town Stadium

The City of Cape Town and Big Concerts confirm that twenty concert attendees were injured at the Cape Town Stadium this evening when a temporary scaffolding structure in the Stadium precinct collapsed due to high winds.

The City’s Emergency Services, including doctors, paramedics and Disaster Risk Management staff assisted immediately. The injured were treated on scene and have been taken to nearby hospitals for further medical attention.

The incident occurred at approximately 18h55 when high wind speeds caused the collapse of a temporary scaffolding structure. The temporary structure was a branding activation, located adjacent to the Stadium forecourt on the Cape Town CBD side of the venue.

The structure had been pre-approved and certified safe, by structural engineers prior to the event.

The remainder of the structure was dismantled and the commanding officer at the Venue Operations Centre declared the event site safe shortly afterwards.

The Stadium gates were re-opened to concert attendees. The concert is going ahead as planned.

All necessary support is being provided to those injured.

End

Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Thankfully it sounds as if no lives were lost as a result of this tragic incident.

--Update 08/11/2012--

It has been confirmed that a woman has passed away as result of the injuries sustained form last night's accident.

My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

The Prodigy are coming to South Africa.

The Prodigy are returning to South Africa in November/ December for Synergy Live 2012. They'll be playing in Cape Town on 30 November and Johannesburg on 1 December. Too bad I'll be in Bangkok.