Tidal Waves

BIO

After 12 years and 5 albums, Tidal Waves are considered the hardest working reggae band in South Africa, often playing over 100 shows a year. The band consists of Jacob ‘Jakes’ Wulana (guitar & vocals), Samuel 'Drumbo' Shoai (drums), Shadrack Mathopa (bass), Jaco ‘Mr’ Mans (lead guitar) and Johannes Papasha (keyboard). The band write and perform original reggae music with blues, mbaqanga and rock influences. They are renowned for performing in English, Afrikaans, Setswana and Tshivhenda. Their albums include Hard Work (1999), Harmonijah (2002), Muzik an da Method (2005) and Afrika (2007).

To mark their 10-year anniversary in 2009, they recorded their fifth album, Manifesto, and completed a nationwide tour. 2010 saw the band tour the world, with performances in France, Germany and China. That year they were selected as the house band for Samas, the backing band for Ziggy Marley in Soweto and the opening act for international dub band The Easy Star All Stars. In 2011 they showcased their skills at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas and embarked on a month-long tour of the USA. They have also graced stages in New Zealand, Mozambique and Swaziland and remain a crowd favourite at Oppikoppi in South Africa.