ONLY about 250 tickets are left for foot-stomping “white Zulu” pop-folk star Johnny Clegg’s Best, Live and Unplugged show in East London later this month.
Despite costing R237 upwards, the tickets would “go like hot cakes”, said Hemingways marketing manager Neville Austin.
Austin said all 750 tickets for the first show on May 21 at The Venue@Hemingways were sold “before we could put up the street posters”.
The only date available for another show was a day earlier – May 20.
Clegg’s Unplugged tour of East London, Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay and George is backed by Algoa FM.
It takes place after the completion of his current run of 45 shows in the US, which are also sold out, his manager Roddy Quin said.
“After all these shows, he is completely fit. He still lifts his foot to the same height as before,” said Quin.
Austin said they had pulled out all the stops to market what will be the biggest act for their 18-month-old multipurpose venue.
Clegg was given the venue for free. Restaurants and bars will offer specials and the 109-room Hemingways hotel is offering a show-and-stay package.
Austin said: “It is an absolute privilege to have a world-class act to come to the Eastern Cape, and it’s great for our town to host an artist of this calibre. He is a legend!”
Quin said Clegg, with his crew of 15 including six musicians, was performing eight to 10 shows a week in the US.
“It has been so fantastic that we will be going back next year. He did small shows there a few years ago and it seemed to grow.
“He is an honest musician and people respect that. He appeals to the 15 to 60 age group.”
He described Clegg’s music as a mix of “Zulu, folk and Celtic pop”.
“We might even do a third show,” he said.
He described Clegg’s unplugged style as very intimate and personal.
“He plays all his hits and talks about what influenced the song; things happening around the world and incidents similar to Marikana.
“It is not rehearsed; it’s as if it is you and him in his lounge and he is playing his guitar.”
Jeanette Gombert Odgers of Real Concerts said Clegg had performed with Nelson Mandela alongside him, won national and international awards, and had spoken out against apartheid and the tough conditions faced by migrant workers.
He has released 25 albums, including his new Best, Live and Unplugged album.
Algoa FM operations director Alfie Jay said: “Johnny’s music has remained popular with our ever-changing audience who, like him, have evolved in this cruel, crazy beautiful world.”
Clegg, who is also an anthropologist, was recently awarded three honorary doctorates – by Dartmouth College, City University of New York and the University of the Witwatersrand.
On Freedom Day in 2013 he received the presidential Ikhamanga award as part of the National Orders ceremony – the highest honour a South African can receive. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
Clegg biggest draw for EL
Despite costing R237 upwards, the tickets would “go like hot cakes”, said Hemingways marketing manager Neville Austin.
Austin said all 750 tickets for the first show on May 21 at The Venue@Hemingways were sold “before we could put up the street posters”.
The only date available for another show was a day earlier – May 20.
Clegg’s Unplugged tour of East London, Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay and George is backed by Algoa FM.
It takes place after the completion of his current run of 45 shows in the US, which are also sold out, his manager Roddy Quin said.
“After all these shows, he is completely fit. He still lifts his foot to the same height as before,” said Quin.
Austin said they had pulled out all the stops to market what will be the biggest act for their 18-month-old multipurpose venue.
Clegg was given the venue for free. Restaurants and bars will offer specials and the 109-room Hemingways hotel is offering a show-and-stay package.
Austin said: “It is an absolute privilege to have a world-class act to come to the Eastern Cape, and it’s great for our town to host an artist of this calibre. He is a legend!”
Quin said Clegg, with his crew of 15 including six musicians, was performing eight to 10 shows a week in the US.
“It has been so fantastic that we will be going back next year. He did small shows there a few years ago and it seemed to grow.
“He is an honest musician and people respect that. He appeals to the 15 to 60 age group.”
He described Clegg’s music as a mix of “Zulu, folk and Celtic pop”.
“We might even do a third show,” he said.
He described Clegg’s unplugged style as very intimate and personal.
“He plays all his hits and talks about what influenced the song; things happening around the world and incidents similar to Marikana.
“It is not rehearsed; it’s as if it is you and him in his lounge and he is playing his guitar.”
Jeanette Gombert Odgers of Real Concerts said Clegg had performed with Nelson Mandela alongside him, won national and international awards, and had spoken out against apartheid and the tough conditions faced by migrant workers.
He has released 25 albums, including his new Best, Live and Unplugged album.
Algoa FM operations director Alfie Jay said: “Johnny’s music has remained popular with our ever-changing audience who, like him, have evolved in this cruel, crazy beautiful world.”
Clegg, who is also an anthropologist, was recently awarded three honorary doctorates – by Dartmouth College, City University of New York and the University of the Witwatersrand.
On Freedom Day in 2013 he received the presidential Ikhamanga award as part of the National Orders ceremony – the highest honour a South African can receive. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
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