Mood Swings Unplugged

A metronome taps a beat the clock tick-tocks, seasons officially change. Nature follows suit. The harvest's in the bag, we charge our glasses with this season’s vintage.

It’s Earth hour at Davis' Pool and locals arrive in drips and drabs to set up their deck chairs and blankets while the musicians and technicians fine tune their instruments, lights and speakers. We were there for the Open Mic Lights off Concert. Children play.

One can see this is where older folk retire, locals make up the large groups, and they know each other so well. While the first act goes on stage their voices have a mellow timbre setting the tone while children run, play and roll on the lawns. The sun sets, the guitarist strums a tune and we’re enchanted by the mellow lyrics. Golden oldies tap their feet and sway to rhythms of David Bowie, Elvis, Laurika Rauch and Lisa se klavier (Lisa’s piano.)

On the Menu –Ryno Velvet, The Pencilmen, Mags and Miles and A&C. While the tides gently washed over the black rocks I had the chance to catch up with my little brother. A rare treat. I could also sing along to Ryno Velvet’s “Ai my lam, as die Hemel aan jou lippe hang, ai my lam waars jy nou?” You certainly had me hanging on to your every note. Had Clive Maasch’s tribute to David Bowie happened a little later I’m sure a few tears would’ve been shed!

The sun sets on a perfectly breathless evening.  Everyone was there, our Honourable Mayor, the clown who tells dirty jokes on stage and sings about unrequited love Jim Reeves style,  old geezers sing 60's balads, some dogs, playful kids, Grandmas and Grandpas visiting for the long weekend they're there too.  All the money raised will be used to  set up security cameras in Onrus.

We set ourselves up for a session at light painting. The photographers’ patience is remarkable. Imagine trying to get 10 people to write one syllable backwards while the shutters remains open for 4 seconds. We did it by the third take. Our letters “Onrus 16 M&C” were higgledy piggledy, but it was loads of fun.

That was the first act.

On Sunday we packed our fold-up chairs and another picnic basket and blanket and took a slow drive through Bonnievale to Montagu, this time we made ourselves comfortable on the 1st green of the Montagu golf club. Another brilliant day. While the stage was being set up we strolled past the food stalls while licking our rapidly melting soft serve ice creams, topping the deliciousness with a Flake for good measure.  We've not had a sugar rush like this in ages.

On the menu: for starters the 14 year old singer songwriter Tache Burger, so much talent. Before the main act Band of Hats entertained us. This dynamic duo from the Western Cape. Brothers Paul Q (short for Quentin) and Michael Dirksen have been performing together for over 15 years. Their extensive repertoire caters for both the young and older generation. On this night they wooed us with tributes to Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and David Bowie.

Of course we were all waiting for the main attraction: The Parlotones. The rock band from Johannesburg. The band known for the face make-up worn by lead singer Kahn Morbee was faithfully worn by many fans. I was surprised by the new salt and pepper flecked beard sported by Kahn, we all get older don’t we.

Their repertoire included: Push me to the floor, Lisa se klavier (heard this classic twice in one weekend), The Stars Fall Down, Should we fight back, Colourful and I’m only human. We left early by Montagu standards, I believe the party continued in the Club House until the last stragglers left at 3h30 after copious amounts of Jagermeister (that tipple they call "wine" in Johannesburg).

Glen Hodgson — bass guitar, piano, backing vocals
Paul Hodgson — lead guitar, keyboard
Kahn Morbee — lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Pauw – drums, percussion

We had a great time and as usual I asked myself, where are the fine people of Worcester? The audience was not that large by usual standards, approx. 1000 attendees I believe, and not one person did I recognise. Thank you girls from Barrydale, you did us all proud with your rhythmic sashaying on the dance floor. 

The other question is:

"Should We Fight Back - Parlotones

Sip it slowly sweetness sometimes tempts us into the silly
Choked by cherry chocolate charm in a chariot of phony
Have we been fooled?
What, oh what are we to do?
Should we fight back?
Or should we just swallow our pride?
We won't use violence, we'll try not to break too many hearts
We're idealistic but we're also afraid
Should we fight back?
Or should we just swallow our pride?

Follow through the snow, the glow, to the golden city
Swallow our frowns, we'll leave here proud from this island filled with pity
Have we been fooled?
What, oh what are we to do?
Should we fight back?
Or should we just swallow our pride?

We won't use violence, we'll try not to break too many hearts
We're idealistic but we're also afraid
Should we fight back?
Or should we just swallow our ...
Pride in who we are and this battle will be won

In dreams we're invincible, we taste victory in our tongues
The messiah from the Transkei, born to inspire
Should we fight back?

Or should we just swallow our pride?
We won't use violence, we'll try not to break too many hearts
We're idealistic but we're also afraid
Should we fight back?
Or should we just swallow our pride?"