Bongo Maffin and Mafikizolo live in the UK
Kwaito's finest groups from South Africa to visit UK for two shows.
South Africa's Bongo Maffin and Mafikizolo will be visiting the UK for two shows - on 22 June they will be at Shepherds Bush Empire and on 23 June 2007 there will be an open air show at Coventry Coombe Country Park for the whole family complete with free fun fair rides for children and braai (South African barbeque). At both of these shows the groups will be performing live with a full band and dancers.
Bongo Maffin, one of South Africa's biggest band, formed in 1996 and have since released six albums and shown real longevity. Whilst they fall into the Kwaito genre there is so much more to them with all three members - Thandiswa Mazwai, Appleseed and Stoa - contributing their unique talents and different influences - not forgetting lyrics in five languages (Xhosa, Tswana, Sotho, Shona and English) which shun the usual content of kwaito lyrics. Their last album 'New Construction' has seen them being nominated for Best African Act at the 2007 BBC Awards for World Music. Two years earlier Thandiswa was also nominated at the BBC Radio Award for World Music with her solo album 'Zabalaza'. Bongo Maffin's music is uplifting, danceable and these guys these guys certainly deserve a world-wide audience.
Bongo Maffin will share the bill with South African duo Mafikizolo consisting of Nhlanhla and Theo. Mafikizolo used to be a trio but third member Tebza was tragically shot dead in a road rage incident in Soweto in 2004. They blend South Africa classics of the 1950 and 60s with contemporary Kwaito rhythms and have contributed one of the stand-out tracks to last year's Tsotsi soundtrack.
Adding to the live performance by the bands wil be the UK-based DJs Welly Tee, Gqwetha and Kelvin Sifelani.
Bongo Maffin & Mafikizolo live in the UK:
Friday, 22 June 2007 at Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8TT, from 7pm until 2am, £25 in advance, more at the door
Saturday, 23 June 2007 at Coventry Coombe Country Park, Brinklow Road, Coventry CV3 2AB, from 2pm until late, £25 in advance, children £5 including free fun fair rides
For more info please contact Wellington on 079 4623 4251 or 079 5191 4683.