Table Mountain and a clear starry sky played a perfect backdrop to the concert proving once again that Kirstenbosch really is one of the best concert venues around. While support band Valve State with their laid-back instrumental electronica was a perfect mood setter, as the sun slowly dipped behind the mountain and the night settled in.
It’s been over 20 years since Sky Edwards and Ross Godfrey formed Morcheeba and broke out with smash hit Trigger Hippie off their debut album Who Can You Trust, since then releasing over eight albums and many memorable hits.
Their arrival on SA soil may be long awaited, but it was definitely worth the wait. Vocalist Sky Edwards was on absolute point, her signature husky smooth voice never missing a beat while Ross Godfrey supported her excellently on lead guitar; a comfortable chemistry throughout. The fact that she was an absolute sweetheart, entertaining the crowd with interesting anecdotes and antics in between songs was an added bonus. Even including a cheeky rendition of the chorus from one hit wonder Whigfield’s Saturday Night, which apparently beat debut hit Trigger Hippie in the SA charts back in the 90s. FYI her version elevated that song from the depths of audio harassment to actually something quite pleasant.
Dressed in a dramatic bright red tasselled gown paired with some serious black stilettos (which she proudly presented to the audience in a brave ballet like leg hoist) it looked like she hadn’t aged a day since their mid-90s heyday and those biceps (!), man I’ve got some serious arm envy. Impressive even from waaay at the back. What a queen!
Treating us to a mix of hits spanning their two decade career such as The Sea, Blindfold plus a cover of David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, and ending with the crowd's demand for an encore with hit Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day and Part of The Process, they were captivating throughout; reaffirming much love for the band as well as creating a host of new fans.
Morcheeba, I hope you don’t wait so long before visiting us again!
Photography by Charlie Sperring | View full gallery
