Experimentation has always been the name of the game for Groove Armada.
The British duo’s debut album, Northern Star (1998), earned them a reputation as ambient electro architects of rare repute, but it was when Andy Cato and Tom Findlay stepped out of the chill zone and on to the dance floor that their sound went global. Expect an unpretentious set of arse-shakers that skips between infectious retro Eighties synth-pop, slow-cooked reggae skanks, garage-house grime, sultry trip-hop resurrections, progressive indie-breakbeat funk and yes, some of their signature chill-out classics. Ricardo da Costa, Dean Fuel, Mia Monroe and Sean Ox lubricate the homegrown clubbing cuts on support. VJ Mr Sweet also drops some eye-candy visuals into the mix.
Trinity Superclub, 15 Bennett Street, Green Point, May 14, 9pm. Entrance costs R175 to R350. Tickets through Computicket only.
Jazz legends Hugh Masekela (trumpet) and George Benson (vocals, guitar) share the spotlight with South African Music Award-nominated stadium rockers Prime Circle and electro-jazzy house hipsters Goldfish at the Nelson Mandela Bay International Music Festival this weekend. The supporting line-up features Eastern Cape talent that really brings the festival’s ‘distinct feel” into focus. Port Elizabeth-based jazz combo New Afro Teens and KwaNobuhle township Afro-pop group Fohloza warm up the stage for Uitenhage-born crooner Loyiso Bala to trade smooth R&B serenades with Sama-winning girl group Jamali. New Brighton-born jazz trumpeter Feya Faku then sits in with the Nelson Mandela Bay Big Band before a rare solo performance by Freshlyground’s diminutive Afro-pop diva, Zolani Mahola. Goldfish and Masekela also perform at the free community concert at the Vuyisile Mini Square (market square) on May 13.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, on May 13 and 14, 2pm. Entrance is R50 to R400. Tel: 021 422 5653. Book at Computicket. Website: www.nelsonmandelabayfestival.com.
For more listings go to mg.co.za/whatson