MIALive: ANDYMKOSI to host Bedroom Tour gig

The event, which will take the form of a music documentary/live show, is supported by the Music In Africa Live (MIALive) project in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institute.

ANDYMKOSI started the Bedroom Tour in 2017 due to concerns over safety at live shows and to find creative ways to utilise different spaces.

“It has to do with intimacy,” AndyMkosi told Music In Africa. “I want people to feel embraced. The bedroom has birthed a lot of ideas. I started off as a bedroom recording artist and this is where I have explored myself as an artist. So it feels fitting.

“The inspiration comes from wanting to reimagine what a performance space could look like, and it made sense as I was transitioning into live music. I figured that the best place for my parents to watch me perform needed to be one that is not dictated by how full a club is or when the peak of the night is.”

ANDYMKOSI will perform with a full band comprising Tiana Amari (bass), Nkosinathi Matomela (piano), Fernando Damon (drums), Da Drummer SA (percussion) and vocalists Tatenda wekwaTenzi, Owethu Ndwande, Francesca Biancoli, Chosi, Amarafleur, Deslynn Malotana and Sanele Blaai.

“Since I began curating events, I have always aimed to have inclusive line-ups – across genre, race, class and so on – especially in Cape Town, where the landscape separates us. I have used art as a tool to unite without being preachy. Luckily for me, I have been opened up to the different worlds of Cape Town and I guess my magic is mixing it all together. This tour is no different.”

ANDYMKOSI says the tour will develop her career by cementing her skills as a cultural practitioner. “It feels like a long business lesson alongside the things and people I love and admire. I have never worked with a budget before when it comes to events, so the admin side of this tour excites me.”

She added that the MIALive grant gave her an opportunity to put into action the ideas she had for the past three years.

“Niche artists need this boost because we have some of the most innovative ideas. The only thing standing between us and those ideas are access to money. I am forever grateful for this fund and so is everyone on this line-up and production.”

The concert will start at 6pm and will be available for streaming on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.