Durban virtuosos hit the right notes

HAVING shared the stage together for more than 15 years, the opportunity of catching Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery performing as a duo in South Africa has become increasingly rare these days. With their demanding schedules as solo artists and with Nibs being based six months of the year in Portugal, the duo only manages a handful of shows together a year.

This however all changes this January and February as Guy and Nibs kick off the year with a series of concerts around their home province of KwaZulu-Natal with stops in Westville, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Dargle and Mtunzini. These two internationally renowned musicians have toured many major festivals and venues throughout Europe and the UK in promotion of their SAMA nominated album, In the Shade of the Wild Fig.

These two virtuosos collaborated on a series of shows in the early and mid-2000’s before their respective solo careers took off with whirlwind individual touring schedules across the globe. Their performing paths crossed at a major festival in Toulouse, France, and this inspired a new combination of performances and sowed the seeds for recording a full length album together. In The Shade of the Wild Fig showcases their mutual interest and deep love for world music and different folk movements featuring numerous instruments such as the cuatro, mbira, tampura, sitar and various acoustic guitars.

Their upcoming live performances will showcase their numerous recordings as well as the collected live work which is unique to every concert. They capture the spirit of an exciting New South Africa, with its vast melting pot of influences and colour. The Durban leg of the tour takes place at ArtSpace Gallery, 3 Millar Road on Thursday, 2 February at 7.30pm.

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