The slopes of Table Mountain can be alive with Mango Groove’s distinctive massive band Marabi-Pop sound because the group is set to carry out on the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts on Sunday 15 January.
Mango Groove: Power to the music
Mango Groove have been fusing pop and township rhythms for greater than 35 years, carrying our nation by way of a few of South Africa’s most turbulent occasions with smash hits corresponding to like Special Star, Dance Some More, Hellfire and Move Up.
The band additionally created the music which accompanied the printed of late president Nelson Mandela’s launch from jail in 1994.
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- Forming on the cusp of a game-changing period for South Africa, the group made headlines across the world for turning into one of many first acts to combine black and white musicians collectively, celebrating what it means to be South African as a substitute of letting politics divide them.
- Since their basis in 1984, Mango Groove have launched six studio albums and quite a few singles.
- The band acquired the Lifetime Achievement Award on the 2019 South African Music Awards (Samas) and has 30 platinum gross sales in South Africa alone.
- Other notable achievements embrace taking part in on the SOS Racism live performance in Paris and performing by way of satellite tv for pc recording within the international Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert.
- Their most up-to-date album, 2016’s Faces to the Sun, was greater than 4 years within the making.
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Q&A with Mango Groove darling Claire Johnston
The group’s lead singer Claire Johnston — now 55 — was solely 17 when she joined the favored fusion band as their frontwoman in 1984. The blonde music powerhouse rapidly turned the distinctive voice and face of Mango Groove’s eclectic picture and performances.
Despite her elegant music expertise, the singer songwriter who has carried out carried out in London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Sydney with Mango Groove, additionally boasts a level in English, Philosophy, and Politics, in accordance with Ghanadmission.
The South African chatted to Johnston concerning the lasting influence Mango Groove has had on South Africa, their most emotional on-stage second and THAT Madiba energy…
Mango Groove has been round for a few years now and stays a top-class stay act, what is the key to fixed success and remaining related in such a fast-paced trade?
Thank you! I can solely assume that it has one thing to do with the truth that we love performing stay as a lot as we do. All 11 of us actually take pleasure in being collectively on stage and fling ourselves into every efficiency, so hopefully that mad energy is infectious.
We have all the time been astonished by the help we get from audiences throughout the generations and it tells you a story concerning the energy of music.
What is your fondest reminiscence of being on stage?
Where to start?! There are unimaginable reminiscences from the early days in smoky golf equipment adopted by larger and barely extra intimidating gigs in stadiums and in international nations.
But, presumably the stand-out on an emotional stage is nonetheless the inauguration of Nelson Mandela again in 1994. A time of big hope and a way of what it is to be South African, alongside with being welcomed again into the world. It was a time when something was potential. We want a few of that energy again now. It’s there.
Why do you assume the music of Mango Groove has turn into so iconic amongst South Africans?
Mango Groove was born out of the darkish days of the mid-Nineteen Eighties when music meant a lot with its energy to change hearts and minds.
Our first album was launched through the transition to democracy and was performed on fairly a lot each radio and TV station. So, we have been fortunate sufficient to achieve just about all South Africans at a time of huge hope. This has made us one thing of a soundtrack to folks’s lives, which makes us very joyful.
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You share the stage with many fashionable South African acts (younger and outdated), whose music and musical type are you loving for the time being?
We’ve been lucky to work with so many elegant artists lately, and have been reminded how a lot we love Mafikizolo, Matthew Mole, Goodluck, Wonderboom and John Ellis, as properly being blown away by Verandah Panda and Simmy. There is a lot exceptional expertise in South Africa that we may go on and on…
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What is your message of recommendation for future musicians or these desirous to comply with a profession in music?
Dream BIG but additionally ensure you have your ft on the floor, because it is not a straightforward profession selection. Be ready for big highs doubtlessly adopted by crushing lows so ensure you take care of your psychological and bodily well being.
It’s very vital to be authentic: Find your personal type after which actually excellent it. Also, encompass your self with individuals who imagine in you and care sufficient about you to be genuinely sincere with you.
These days, of course, a lot depends on being social media savvy, so get snug with discovering your voice on the assorted platforms, however don’t let the haters get into your head.
Mango Groove Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts – Details:
- Book: Tickets for all performances may be bought on Webtickets
- Location: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden | Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
- Date: Sunday 15 January
- Time: Gates open at 4pm | Performance begins at 5.30pm
- Contact: 021 799 8783 | kirstenboschinfo@sanbi.org.za
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TELL US WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE MANGO GROOVE SONG IS OR SHARE SOME OF YOUR MANGO GROOVE MUSIC MEMORIES.