Young Fathers set to tour South Africa

19 Feb 2015 - 14:29

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

In partnership with British Council Connect ZA and Okayafrica, Weheartbeat and Assembly Radio are organising a two-city tour for Scottish alt-rap heavyweights and 2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers. The tour will also feature free meet-and-greet sessions hosted by Live SA and Weheartbeart.

Young Fathers. Photo: okayafrica.com

Young Fathers will play live shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town on the 27 and 28 February alongside some of South Africa’s best in live music, including SAMA-winner Card On Spokes, 'digital maskandi' artist Mashayabhuqe Kamamba and future-sound high-rollers Okmalumkoolkat, Zaki Ibrahim featuring Mr Sakitumi, BIG FKN GUN and A Million Things (Tiago Correia-Paulo of 340ml and Tumi & The Volume).

Young Fathers member Alloysious Massaquoi says: “I get the sense that SA is way ahead of the rest of the world and making much more exciting music than anywhere else. I’m still in disbelief that the music isn’t taking over everywhere. But I believe it should have the opportunity to do that."

“People in the West often see Africa as a place where only bad things happen, you know, ‘the dark depths of Africa’, when, in fact, people’s lives are as mundane or as joyful as anywhere,” adds fellow member G Hastings. “I’m hoping to embrace the music, take some inspiration, because from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a dream musically... We try and do this everywhere we go but I’ve got a feeling that South Africa might be a special place.”

The meet and greets will take place in Johannesburg on Thursday 26 February from 6pm to 9pm at Live SA’s Braamfontein offices and in Cape Town on Monday 2 March from 6.30pm till late at Yours Truly. It is free to attend, however you must reserve your place with Live SA here. According to Weheartbeat's Dominique Soma, “The couch sessions are free to attend and will give you the chance to sit down with these groundbreaking artists. Set in a relaxed, intimate setting, the meet and greets will be facilitated by Live SA and Livity Africa founder Gavin Weale. For Weheartbeat this undertaking is the first of its kind, so collaborating with an alternative hip-hop act and juxtaposing their grimy UK sound with the Afro-futuristic elements of South Africa is going to be very exciting."

More details on the live shows, visit the Johannesburg Event Page and the Cape Town Event Page.

Young Fathers