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January 10, 2013
The Parlotones‘ Final Curtain Call at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts in Cape Town
Fazielah Williams
Fazielah Williams has lived in and loved her Mother City since birth. Having lived all over the Peninsula during her childhood, she now calls the picturesque City Bowl home and likes nothing more than watching the sun set over Table Bay from the window of her apartment.
A lover of the arts and proud Cape Town fanatic, Fazielah began her writing career by spending many hours as a child conjuring fantastical stories that featured independent heroines from faraway lands who saved the Prince instead. This Capetonian princess has enjoyed stints as a magical arts PRO and TV publicist before finding her calling as a travel writer.
When not waxing lyrical about the Fairest Cape’s most loved attractions and activities and embarking on unexpected adventures, Fazielah can usually be found taking in a show at one of the City’s fabulous theatres.
Bid farewell to chart-topping local band The Parlotones as they perform for the final time at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts, at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Photo courtesy of Tickybox Media
It’s the moment many fans have anticipated with both excitement and dread … The Parlotones‘ last South African performance at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Sunday 13 January, 2013!
The multi award-winning band will soon jet off to the United States in pursuit of international fame and fortune. Renowned for hits like Push Me to the Floor, Beautiful, I’ll Be There and Honey, and four successful albums, our boys are sure to make an equally stellar impression on global audiences, too.
Frequent visitors to Cape Town, Africa’s wine capital, band members Kahn Morbee, Paul Hodgson, Glen Hodgson and Neil Pauw have produced their own line of vino, including Giant Mistake (a red), Push Me to the Floor (a white) and We Call This Dancing (a rosé). Good-looking, musical maestros and top winemakers ... these guys just seem to have it all!
Between packing up their possessions and instruments, The Parlotones answered a few of my burning questions:
You’ve performed at the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts often. What has been your favourite performance at this iconic venue and why?
Every time we play at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, it seems to outdo the previous time. Kirstenbosch is one of the first big shows we played, and the sight and sound of 6 000+ people singing along is one of the most amazing experiences.
What inspires you musically?
Life. Things that happen to us, things that we observe, things we imagine other people go through. We like to try and make our music and lyrics mean something to anyone who hears the song – any age, sex or race. And of course, we listen to all kinds of music, and you're always inspired by what you listen to, from Led Zeppelin to Mumford & Sons.
What do you hope to achieve, career-wise, from your relocation to the States?
We hope to take our band and music to the next level, and then the next and the next ... The American market is huge, and a band can grow to be enormous over there. We don't want to stop until we've gone as far as we can.
Which international artist would you most like to record a song with?
There's a long list, but we'd say the Top 5 would be: Radiohead, Coldplay, Bright Eyes, Manchester Orchestra and Biffy Clyro.
Which Capetonian meal are you most excited to taste whilst here?
Unfortunately we don't get much time to go out; we literally are only at the airport and Kirstenbosch. But if someone wants to send something delicious backstage, we won't say no!
Which one of your songs would best describe Cape Town?
We've just written a new song called Lazy Sunny Days. We'd go with that one.
Why do you love Cape Town?
It's beautiful, and has become as much of a home to us as Jo'burg. We've spent a lot of time in Cape Town, and really love the place.
We asked our Facebook fanpage fans to send us their farewell messages to The Parlotones, and these are a few of our favourites:
“What's left for a local band with 4 successful studio albums, a string of SAMA awards and the biggest fan base any SA band has ever seen? Well, as The Brain would answer Pinky's question: "Try and take over the world!" ... and so you guys will :)” – Neil Basson
“To Kahn, Glen, Paul and Neil ... here's to wishing you great success abroad. May your new fans appreciate your music just as much as your loyal ones back HOME. Remember, HOME is where the heart is and we'll always love and adore you for your contribution towards South African music.” – Megan May
“The Parlotones flipped rock music on its head and redefined it with their unique South African flavour! Thanks for making me fall in love with our local music all over again. I wish you all of the best as you flee to Hollywood just like Trevor Noah haha!” – Shanon Thomas
Online tickets for The Parlotones’ Summer Sunset Concert are sold out but you may be lucky to get a few last-minute ones at Kirstenbosch on Sunday.
Break out the tissues and flick your lighters on for The Parlotones’ final curtain call, with their chart-topper Goodbyes:
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