Watching live music often involves sitting down and listening seriously. Watching Gareth Gale is like looking into a mirror, because he seems to be listening even more intently than you, trying to suck in the sounds of the other musicians and add to the conversation with the drums.The Durban musician is an in-demand sideman for artists such as Nibs van der Spuy and Farryl Purkiss, who he joined for both local and international tours.His favourite place to perform is France, a particular highlight being the 2010 Rio Loco festival in Toulouse."There were lots of South African artists doing collaborations with French artists," he says. "It was phenomenal. Backstage, there was Freshly Ground, Johnny Clegg, and Tumi and the Volume. The value that the French place on different cultural activity is amazing and we've always been treated in the highest regard."That's good to know, but what about the multicultural vibe of Durban - does that influence his drumming?"When I studied here I was exposed to a variety of cultures and it changed the way I play. In my second year I started studying the tabla (Indian percussion) and being able to access that experience is really unique to Durban."I like to believe the cultural diversity and crossover has produced something unique in the artists who live here."He doesn't seem particularly precious about playing on a drum kit and has performed rhythm pieces on plastic buckets, among other things. This was informed by street musicians in Europe, who can conjure up exciting drumming performances from a variety of everyday containers.Nowadays you tend to find Gale in a fairly chilled musical environment, but a few years back he was fully immersed in funk and hip-hop while playing drums for Durban band Big Idea. He has since taken to posting his favourite drum grooves on YouTube, one of which has received over 240000 views.That kind of exposure would delight most bands in South Africa, but it took him by surprise. "I decided to try it and it just seemed to connect with lots of people. I'm excited about the mounting views - you get all those comments and you're able to engage with a global audience."Gale has just completed a countrywide tour with virtuoso guitarist Guy Buttery..