It was special to be at Freshyground’s concert at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts on January 5, 2025. The opening act was The Congo Cowboys. Radio presenter, MC Guy McDonald was the MC and told us that this was the celebrated band’s first major gig with its new lead singer, Mbali Makhoba. Freshlyground was a Kirstenbosch summer concert institution from January 10, 2003 when Kirstenbosch hosted the band’s first major concert. The band was established in early 2002. The band was a hit and went on to sold-out concerts at Kirstenbosch. The band last performed at Kirstenbosch on New Year’s Eve 2019 – Dec 31, 2019. Around about that time, the band members went their separate ways and pursued other avenues and projects.
The concert on January 5, 2025 at Kirstenbosch was highly anticipated by fans – in the sublime garden setting which is geared for families and younger audiences, gathering picnic style on the lawns. The joy from the audience was palpable: Ahh – Freshlyground- we have missed you.
The band’s new lead singer, Mbali Makhoba is effervescent – sassy, energetic and vibey. The appreciative crowd went wild for Freshground hits and a new song, Take Me Home. The poignant Freshlyground hit, Doo Be Doo (2004) met with peals of delight. In an interview in 2006, the band’s Simon Atwell told me that Doo Be Doo was somewhat of a “throwaway song”. We “thought it was cheesy – not our style. Most of us didn’t want it to go on to the album”. It made the cut on the album Nomvula and it became part of the Freshlyground soundtrack of our lives. See clip: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMkyKn3AE/ The concert was testament to the band’s musicality and creativity and was a wonderful showcase of its body of music.
The opening act, Congo Cowboys rocked the audience. The band was formed by Freshlyground’s members Simon Attwell, Julio Sigauque and Congolese lead singer Chris Bakalanga, with South African drummer Unity Mzi. Congo Cowboys enchanted us with their Afro-pop version of Dolly Parton’s hit, Jolene. Fabulous concert all round as always with excellent sound, lighting and audio visuals. I have mentioned this before, but I will do so again. I am impressed with the level of security, the presence of medical personnel and the general vigilance by the marshals who stop people from smoking or vaping. Bravo to Kirstenbosch Sunset Concerts. It is advisable to book and please note that Webtickets is the official and only ticket seller. Don’t be duped by secondary ticket sellers. See . https://thecaperobyn.co.za/insight-the-perils-of-booking-through-secondary-ticket-platforms/
For the full lineup Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts 2024/2025, see https://thecaperobyn.co.za/concert-news-full-lineup-kirstenbosch-summer-sunset-concerts-2024-2025/
✳ Freshlyground concert at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, January 5, 2025. Images TheCape/Robyn/Robyn Cohen.
