I wasn't sure what to expect, apart from some superb acapela singing, and a couple of elements did surprise me. The main surprise was the amount that the performance featured dancing, often synchronised but not in a boy band way. There was much Zulu type stomping and high kicking and hand gestures. I also hadn't realised the band was all male. The nine vocalists featured four of the sons and two cousins of the band founder, Joseph Shabalala who formed it back in 1960.
The band started with acapela songs including their anthem 'Nomathemba'but about twenty minutes in brought on two guitarists also from Kwazulu- Natal, one of whom also sang and played a concertina and they then did a number of songs from the 'Graceland ' album starting with 'Diamonds on the soles of her shoes' with one of the guitarists singing the Paul Simon parts. They were both excellent guitarists hitting those complicated rhythms precisely. The second half proceeded along similar lines with acapela songs and then some songs including guitars/concertina backing. 'Homeless' hit the spot being the song that brought them global attention after 'Graceland' and they finished with 'You can call me Al'.
Very different to the usual run of gigs and very enjoyable.
