Concert: Johnny Clegg - South African music

Anyone interested in South African culture and excellent music is well advised not to miss out on Johnny Clegg, an icon of the South African rock scene, who will be appearing in the Muffathalle on the 22nd of this month. The music itself is great, the man has been going for over 20 years and he boasts some of the best musicians SA has on offer. Added to that is his close affinity to the Zulu culture - he speaks it as well as any native Zulu - which comes over in his unique sound and his little anecdotes between songs.

Well I've said enough. Don't come crying to me when you hear how great he was!

Tickets are EUR 20 over the Internet or in Vorverkauf. At the Abendkasse, they are EUR 24. Show starts at 20.30.

am totally looking forward to it

Have the DAMN fu...king Company Party on Friday !!
Dammit was so looking forward to going to see the concert.

Have the company party at the concert! You'll be CEO the week after...Entertainment portfolio of course!

*ahem*

South African culture? Johnny Clegg? Icon of South African rock scene?

Come on guys - there were lots of better local bands than him. I don't think he defines SA rock anymore than someone like Wet Wet Wet defines Brit pop. In concert he was a disappointment - the beer belly t-shirt wearing thing just looked completely wrong and to be honest he just isn't that good a singer. Highly not recommended.

Just my opinion of course

What happened to my post? It was there earlier and now it's gone.

Anyway, just said that I'll be there - got the tickets a long time ago(winter) and am so looking forward to it.

Bugs, you missed the point. None of those other bands ever sought to reflect a facet of SA culture in their music. Sure, Just Jinger and the Springbok Nude Girls to mention two bands from our generation were great, but their music was aimed for the international stage. Clegg, in contrast, has always remained true to his roots. His lyrics are excellent and heartfelt and he engages his audience. And his singing, not maybe being on the level of Freddie Mercury, is fine. I don't know how you could possibly compare him to Wet Wet Wet as far as contribution to SA music is concerned. You must be a total music ignoramus! As a fellow South African, I'm also a bit disappointed that you don't encourage the rest of the international community here to go and give it a listen. People like you, I hope, will stay in Germany far away from SA!

For those interested, you can read more about it and perhaps even win a ticket (please note it's in German) at the following link. Please note it's in German. Alternatively, check out www.johnnyclegg.com and decide for yourself!

http://www.werbe-spiegel.de/content/005465...=g&id=400000154

@Ulysses Agree 110%
Its not about how good he is or was, but the fact that over the years he has always maintained that image and is therefore considered an icon of SA culture. When you listen to Johnny you are immediately reminded of home and want to catch the first plane to Joburg. However as cheesy as this may sound I guess as scatterlings of Africa in this cool crazy beautiful world we all need a little Johnny to remind us of the spirit of the great heart.

Now that you've said 'scatterlings of Africa' I'm wondering about the title of the song that I'd always thought to be 'Schmetterlings of Africa'. Which one is it? Loved that song, btw. People do know Johnny Clegg outside of ZA.

@Kat

check this out.

Lyrics here.

Cheers

max

Yes, he was very popular in France. All of my French friends had already heard of him.

Quick to pass judgement, eh? I didn't realise that not being a Johnny Clegg fan made me un-South African. I also don't like Castle beer, so I guess I am a beer ignoramus as well.

I urge the international community here to go and visit SA, spend some time in Joburg, Cape Town, go to the Oppikoppi Fest and sample the culture, or spend some time with South Africans in Munich, rather than judge the place/people/culture on the strength of one pop star's performance out of context.

Ha! Post another one up for misheard lyrics! Thanks!

Well, I'm not from S.A. and I like Johnny Clegg and so does my German boyfriend(who turned me onto JC about 4 years ago when we met).

Bugs, that's a bit better. You can't be a beer ignoramus if you live in Munich! You're allowed to not like Clegg, but there's a time and place for everything. I was trying to promote him & your comments were anything but welcome. Over a beer with other South Africans would've been a better time. Anyhow, I didn't say he was SA music, I meant he was an integral part. He's been around a lot longer than anyone else. Either way, your second posting impressed me a lot more than your first. Pity, we can't bring Oppikoppi to Munich...

Haven't heard much of Johnny Clegg for years. I also got to like his music during my year out in France many moons ago! Could be a trip down memory lane to go to the concert on Fri.

When I used to live in Switzerland a few years ago his concerts were sold out in Zurich, Montreux and Bern. I have seen him before and enjoyed it and I'll be going to see him again on Friday. Can't wait to hear "Impi"!

@Ulysses

I would say that he is entitled to his opinion and he clearly doesn't like it. Stop seeing things as black and white. I am sure people would be more willing to listen to this music if some users here have a different opinion - comes across as more plausible, don't you think? Wouldn't it be weird if all South Africans liked Johnny Clegg? If you were to stumble across a thread on a music recommendation and all users - all being from the same country - were to post that a band is really good, wouldn't you also think that you must be local or something to appreciate it?
Cheers,
MajorB

Point taken MB. I suppose I have Bugs to thank for you being there on Friday then? Thanks Bugs, you can set foot in SA again!

I actually am not such a big fan of their music either. Sorry! I can listen to it but it just doesn't touch me.

Fair enough. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

i thought the concert was great. even though he is not as young and lekker looking as he was in 1992 when i first saw him in hamburg. was really disappointed that he didn't play "impi", but felt like i wanted to get on the first plane home.

as to ulysses and bugs... speel mooi maatjies :-)

He was great. His voice is great. The way he jumped around on stage reminded me of Peter Gabriel.

Although, I insisted to my boyfriend, that he had backing music, etc., in the last few songs (it was obvious to me, as a musician - I heard, quite clearly, more brass(trumpets) than just one saxophone and additional percussion going on.

He was awesome. Actually felt homesick all of a sudden. My friends who saw him for the first time were very impressed especially with the more African-sounding songs. As for the background music, not quite sure, was too busy enjoying myself. As long as there's no lip and/or guitar synching I'm happy! All in all an excellent show in it's own right, which only further shows why South Africans can be proud of Johnny and everything he has done for South Africa.

No, they were definitely not lip syncing and were definitely playing their instruments but I did hear a lot more than I saw (and which was why there was no talking in between songs on the last 4 or 5 songs) But, whatever, it's OK by me!!