Joe's Pub (Venue Partner)
425 Lafayette St
212.967.7555 for tickets
212.539.8778 for table reservations
This event has passed.
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Freshlyground
- When
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Friday July 24, 2009 (9:30–11pm)
- Where
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- Price
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$15
- Links
Everywhere they go, Freshlyground are a sensation. In South Africa audiences of every race cram in to see them. Old people get up and dance. Hip black teenagers sing to their lyrics. White kids emulate their moves. The very presence of this band in South Africa is the promise of a harmonious future. But they don't sit still for the picture.
Freshlyground adds violin and flute to the familiar band instrumentation of bass, drums, keys and guitar, and sometimes throws in the mbira, a traditional African “thumb piano” and sax. So typical of African groups, their dance routines are loosely choreographed to allow space for spontaneity, which comes with live-wire energy. “Forget about your destiny, get off your feet and live!” the lead singer Zolani sings, and she knows exactly how to make an audience go wild.
Freshlyground draws crowds as they go, making surprisingly good impressions, remarkably large impacts. That's what they've done all along. Bridged historical divides, defied musical stereotypes. And it's about time an Afro-pop band took some of Africa's magical music to the world. It's about time.
