Synergy Live 2013 Johannesburg

<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjNwdmYi1nX-tBU9-2cQjKHQ2SjNk-dXHI-lZC1IDximwReDypaouQczqnrXab11r1DRyfcQPbZCWwdgeIePPvT80O30RwuIHOBWt7xs4jp_00Jf_zRjZ-9Pp0iN19pX9gYGoNlzJKgo/s1600/synergy+live.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjNwdmYi1nX-tBU9-2cQjKHQ2SjNk-dXHI-lZC1IDximwReDypaouQczqnrXab11r1DRyfcQPbZCWwdgeIePPvT80O30RwuIHOBWt7xs4jp_00Jf_zRjZ-9Pp0iN19pX9gYGoNlzJKgo/s640-rw/synergy+live.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Waking up with mixed emotions, the lingering smell of cigarette smoke and cologne, punctuated by the odd sore muscle spasm and the access band still on my arm, a memento of an evening spanning emotions as diverse as the multitude of genres that filled the Johannesburg air that night. Still, after much reflection I'm left unsure about how the Johannesburg leg of the mammoth music festival, Synergy Live, turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of 2013.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">A quick scroll through my Twitter feed reveals a somewhat polarised response, with 140 character praises from satisfied rockers and outcries from disappointed ravers, some calling out the organisers for poor marketing and management. Surely these are just typical social media exaggerations, taken to the extreme for the sake of invoking a response? Perhaps international headliner, Feed Me, playing graciously to a crowd of 60 people would prove otherwise? Or would DJ Nonames and MC, Illaman, of Foreign Beggars trying their best to uphold a sense of professionalism performing to a near empty venue drive the point home?</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't get me wrong, there were great moments at the Red Bull tent that doubled as the electronic stage where our very own local DJs held their own. From the almost comical and infectious charisma of David and Goliath, Das Kapital's stage antics during PH Phat's electrifying performance and even drum 'n bass overlord, RudeOne, laying out a beautifully curated set ranging from neurofunk to jungle. The small crowd of ravers navigated each set with enthusiasm, whether the moment called for grungy trap or big room electro. By <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_106253681" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12pm</span></span> with the final rock bands having finished their performances, the majority of the festival crowd left for home, weary of the workday ahead. That left only the last few ravers at the Red Bull tent to move over to the indoor stage that housed the bands throughout the day. Fans waited anxiously as the DJ equipment was moved and set up. About 60 people waited, some kicking around empty plastic cups in the nearly empty venue as the sound checks were done. It was hard to believe that just 20 minutes before this venue was packed to the rafters, atmosphere worked into such a frenzy that a mosh pit erupted at the call of the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus lead singer.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Feed Me played a great set consisting of mostly his own compositions, at some points even joined by Tasha Baxter who treated us to glorious live renditions of 'Cloudburn', 'Strange Behaviour' and more recently, 'Ebb and Flow' off of Feed Me's latest LP, 'Calamari <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_106253682" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>'. Those of Feed Me's more dedicated fan base who support his less-known drum 'n bass alter ego, Spor, were rewarded with classics such as 'Aztec'.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I couldn't shake the feeling that a producer of his calibre deserved better. The off-sounding sound system only served to deepen the disappointment we already felt, although throughout his performance the small crowd would cheer, clapping ever so often, acting as a kind of consoling gesture from those of us who were there, an apology for the poor turnout. And in response, as the closing love note to those of his fans who stayed to see him, leaving us with 'Love Is All I Got'.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">With the venue quite nearly empty after Feed Me's set, Foreign Beggars scraped together what they could given the circumstances, officially closing out the day long festival.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">This by no means dampens the fully fledged Cape Town leg of the festival which is being received by stellar reviews, being cited as the official opener of the summer season. With larger stages, bigger crowds and the DJ tent being graced with LED backdrops and taking place over 3 days as opposed to the 1 day festival in Johannesburg, the experience of the Capetonians cannot be disputed. The failure of the Johannesburg leg however, whether it was a misjudgement in placing it on a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_106253683" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>, poor marketing, exorbitant ticket prices or its close proximity to larger scale electronic events such as the 'I Am Hardwell' Tour or a combination of all, is yet to be determined. Either way, it failed to capture the hearts and minds of Johannesburg's thriving electronic fan base. Though the effort and planning required to bring the magic and atmosphere to Johannesburg doesn’t go unnoticed, the organisers still have a long way to go in bringing future Johannesburg festivals up to par with that of its Cape Town counterpart.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you to Dionne from PR Works for the press tickest.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Review done by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/G1NO" target="_blank">@G1NO</a></span></div>

Synergy Live 2013 Johannesburg

Waking up with mixed emotions, the lingering smell of cigarette smoke and cologne, punctuated by the odd sore muscle spasm and the acce...

The Chainsmokers - #Selfie (LIV at Midnight Edit)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h2 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>The Chainsmokers  give you 3 reasons why you should listen to #Selfies ...</b></span></h2> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvpsjPWQ5VQQnE6pNstq0JvkqoODotRaZABf5EzzEsQIToSf-IauBnK1axI7o1JAYr3ZSYF3JfE4ItSygUv4G4l3rUojrF1-aPnQA7x3Fe4N8MlX_Nu_KQtO4cCdAL5mGG1ANOBvSTaI/s1600/the+chainsmokers+%23selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvpsjPWQ5VQQnE6pNstq0JvkqoODotRaZABf5EzzEsQIToSf-IauBnK1axI7o1JAYr3ZSYF3JfE4ItSygUv4G4l3rUojrF1-aPnQA7x3Fe4N8MlX_Nu_KQtO4cCdAL5mGG1ANOBvSTaI/s320-rw/the+chainsmokers+%23selfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> 1) The track is original (but we aren considering it an original track, cause its just a fun track)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> 2) Its about Selfies, more to the point girls in the bathroom taking them, and everyone loves selfies...</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> 3) The track is Melbourne bounce influenced and its almost the weekend and nothing says party like the melbourne style ... </span><br /> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /> Words form the producers.</b></span><br /> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Now first let us say don't get all bent up about this, its just a fun song... Dont get all high and mighty on it music elitists, its a party tune, lets leave it at that.... Next let us tip our hats to a huge inspiration of ours @<a class="g-link-user" href="https://soundcloud.com/TJR" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">TJR</a> for inspiring the style of this track (production wise)...</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">That said, we know this is a departure from our usual indie progressive style, but DONT WORRY, this track is just a fun party track enjoy it or not, its just for fun... I mean if the title doesn't infer that, then we are at a loss of words... Anyway, the classic <a href="https://soundcloud.com/tags/Selfie" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none;">#Selfie</a>, well it pretty much defines 2013... when VH1 does remember the 90's the Selfie will deserve its own section... So enjoy this tune, play it loud, laugh at it, learn the words (shout out to Alexis Killacam for nailing it all in one take) </span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <b style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;">Now 3 reasons why they made it:</b></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">1) They were  playing LIV, Miami this past Friday it was a hugely important show for them and they wanted to celebrate it by making a song to commemorate the night...</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">2) They Love selfies, duh...</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">3) They love to party, also, duh...</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">So please don't get too caught up in the track, its just for fun, in no way are they abandoning or departing from the indie progressive style they love so much... so sideline the music elitist tude they fell in love with you for, just for the moment :)</span></div> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /> The Chainsmokers - #SELFIE (LIV at Midnight Edit)</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/121071826" width="100%"></iframe> </span></div>

The Chainsmokers - #Selfie (LIV at Midnight Edit)

The Chainsmokers  give you 3 reasons why you should listen to #Selfies ... 1) The track is original (but we aren considering it an ori...