Reminiscing music

“So Pete, I’m going to the UB40 show on 17 December.”

“UB40? Really? Suppose one can never hear Red Red Wine enough...just kidding!” Pete replied, sarcasm oozing from his text.

“Well, Goldfish and other local acts are performing as well.”

“Goldfish! Now we’re talking...might even get there myself! That’ll be a big jam,” came the swift reply from Pete’s phone.

    

I never saw Pete at Mbombela Stadium, but a colossal, regretting-it-until-Monday-morning, blog worthy jam in Nelspruit it was indeed (despite the meagre turnout). Well, for a certain senseless few at least.
  

From left to right: Joubert Geyer, Theuns Joubert, me and Robert Spruyt chilling on the golden circle's floor. Photo by Theuns Joubert.

While testing unknown alcohol like Hard Rock Brandy and Noble Eagle Whisky, ‘classily’ packaged in sachets, and dancing frantically to the feel good funk of No One’s Arc, I could notice the blank stares from far more passive fans. Tousled hair and a pair of torn floral pants was my doom; the bum-revealing rip due to an attempt at imitating a black girl’s moves. 

From left to right: Bongani Mavundla and Goofy from No One's Arc at the Mbombela Stadium. Photo by Theuns Joubert.

From left to right: No One's Arc's Dylan Bolton, Mimi Gabi Law and Lee Nicholls slapping the bass. Photo by Theuns Joubert.

It was not only the sweet soulfulness of their Jazzy African roots, but also the Reggae, Rock and Blues beats of No One’s Arc which pumped adrenaline through their hometown’s veins. Other musicians like Big Nuz, DJ Tira, Jamali, Idols winner Dave van Vuuren and Goldfish also performed as opening acts.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but if I were, seeing Goldfish live would have been on my 2011 list. Finally ticked off and totally satisfying, the Capetonian trio maintained their reputation with their unique sound of slick Acid Jazz; so much so, that they made it back onto my list for 2012.

After making corny introductory jokes about certain smokable substances, the presenters eventually welcomed UB40’s Ali Campbell and his band on stage, which included two members of the original group. Despite my friend’s sarcasm, I believe one can never hear Red Red Wine or Kingston Town enough, but one can also only sway to the exact same beat for as long as your drink allows. 

Let’s face it, no matter how monotonous the sound, it’s UB40, in South Africa, in Nelspruit for that matter. It’s like that unforgettable 2003 show at the concert venue Blue Moon, just out of town: Amy Lee from the American band Evanescence featured with Seether during the song Broken. Even till this day, 'Nelspruiters' talk about having experienced that show. Another couple of years down the line we’ll probably think back and say: “Hey, remember that UB40 show?” We’ll reminisce about the British group and their Reggae tunes for days to come, because that’s how we are. We love the well-known and we thrive on the international, no matter how much more lekker the local may be.