Freshlyground. Photo: Sean Wilson
FRESHLY-
GROUND
City Hall Square, Main Stage
August 14-16
TBA
- A unifying musical force
After a five-year hiatus, the iconic group Freshlyground returns with new vocalist, Mbali Makhoba, and a musical menu of Afro-jazz, pop, indie rock and soul served with both precision and energy.
Freshlyground's members have backgrounds in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and their musical message of joy and community played a unifying role in South Africa's post-apartheid years. They are known for songs like "Doo Be Doo" and their collaboration with Shaikra on the World Cup song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", and for their dynamic live performances that feature marabi-inspired piano, catchy Afro-pop melodies and jazz that weave together with flutes and guitars into a rhythmic picture that is always in motion.
In April, they released the album "Take Me Home", the first with Mbali Makhoba as vocalist, and here they show that they are both able to maintain their signature sound and unifying power, while also paving the way for new musical visions and Mbali's soulful voice and insistent stage presence.
