Music scene divide is disappearing
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Predicting a tipping point in the local music scene might be premature but the weekend's Symphonic Rocks concert was another sign of the disappearing divide between black and white music lovers.
Despite the cringeworthy bopping of white Capetonians, miming horribly to Zahara's Loliwe, and to Tumi and the Volume's Asinamali (and blacks staring around blankly during Fokofpolisiekar's set), the performances never got stale.
The familiarity of the Grand West arena in Goodwood, Cape Town, and of some of the artists who played the same concert last year, would have helped.
Ard Matthews, of Just Jinger, returned, as did Tumi and the Volume, MacStanley and Mahola.
Backed by a 65-piece orchestra, the sassy ChianoSky - but especially Freshlyground's Zolani Mahola - impressed most early on with the latter garnering a raucous standing ovation.
Just like musicians including HHP, AKA, 2Lani the Warrior, BLK JKS, Oskido, Vusi Mahlasela and The Muffinz all playing at this year's Oppikoppi festival - mainly a bastion for white alternative rock fanatics - the fans displayed refreshing open-mindedness.
The Symphonic Rocks series moves to Carnival City, in Brakpan, on the East Rand, on Saturday, with tickets at between R225 and R250 at Computicket.
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