Buskaid returns to the stage with a bang
The Diepkloof based musical group is set to have a concert at the Wits' Linder Auditorium on Sunday.
After 2 years of being concert starved, Buskaid musicians return to stage with a bang. On March 27 they are set to have a concert at Wits’ Linder Auditorium to celebrate 25 years of extraordinary music-making.
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This once-off concert which was cancelled twice last year, also marks the anniversary of Buskaid’s very first appearance at the Linder in 1997.
Rosemary Nalden, Buskaid’s Founder and Director says: “This concert is a huge milestone for Buskaid! For a start, it’s the first in a series of concerts celebrating our 25th anniversary (1997 – 2022). Our young musicians are bursting with excitement at the prospect of finally playing in front of a live audience after more than two years of silence. And it’s a really fun pop programme, which is just what we all need right now to lift our spirits!”
Just to give a teaser on what to expect, the playlist includes songs by Michael Jackson, Sting, Queen, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams and many more. Also featured are Buskaid vocalists, Mathapelo Matabane and Cecelia Manyama, and a new star on the block, Rungi Ngobeni. And of course they have been working on new Kwela arrangements, some inspired by Hugh Masekela.
Manyama, who is also a first violin player said that they have been yearning for this.
“I don’t want lie, the global pandemic really frustrated us as musicians, we missed this so much that we have attempted organising something virtual, but it failed. We kept on practicing hoping that concerts will return soon but that did not happen for two years. So, I am really excited and looking foward to also seeing the reaction of our audience as they also missed this, ” she said.
The 19- year-old Tshediso Boikanyo who is also one of the youngest players who will be playing at Sunday’s concert, said that Buskaid has been a great platform to live his musical dream but the global pandemic had partially paused his musical journey. He also shared that Nalden has also attempted to give them virtual lessons during lockdown but it wasn’t the same.
Due to the fact that Wits University has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy, all persons accessing the campus will have to show a vaccination certificate or a negative Antigen COVID Test, not older than seven days.
