Park Acoustics: My 2 cents on the August 2017 Edition

My favourite time of the month has arrived yet again – Park Acoustics. This month’s line-up has had me stoked since the last Park Acoustics when they announced it. With the weather heating up, it was only fitting to have acts such as Shortstraw, We Are Charlie, The Ceramics, Crimson House and Native Young.

Here’s my review of this edition of Park Acoustics

The day may have started out overcast, but soon enough the sun’s rays started peeking out from behind the clouds. First on the Southern Comfort stage was Johannesburg based band, The Ceramics.

I was super excited to finally see them live. I have heard a couple of their songs on the radio before, and I was instantly in love.

The Ceramics is a four piece indie rock band. The state that their main purpose is making music you can dance to and their sound makes you feel like you are getting a personal hug.

They clearly love being on stage and getting the crowd to move. They entertained us with songs like “Trying Again” and “Be Together”. They also played one mean cover of headliners Shortstraw’s “Couch Potato”.

Before the next band was set to take the stage, everyone’s favourite MC, King Nqoba, gave away two free bottles of Southern Comfort and lime to the first two ladies to get on stage.

Naturally, I was one of them. My fellow lady and I got to introduce the next band, although she needed some help with their name: We Are Charlie.

They are without a doubt one of my favourite bands at the moment, and seeing them at Park Acoustics was a real treat. The crowd danced along to their hits “Hey Friend”, “Starting to Stop”, and my favourite “Staring at the Sun”.

I must admit, I was not too familiar with the next band, but as soon as their set started, I was hooked. Native Young formed in a garage in Gugulethu (in Cape Town) in 2014. The fuse English, Xhosa, Sotho and Zulu lyrics to create an epic sound. It’s clear to see why they were winners at the 2017 SAMA awards in the category of Best Alternative Album. They wowed the crowd with their songs “Crystal Lion”, “Erase”, and “Islands”.

I’ve heard only great things from the next act set to grace the stage. My one friend could not stop gushing about Crimson House’s performance at STRAB, and if he loved them, I knew I would too. Crimson House describes themselves as “a high energy show band that delivers a potent set designed to make anyone jump dance and sing uncontrollably.” Their style is a mix of swing to rock ‘n roll, all with a bluesy undertone. They got the crowd swinging, and crouching to hits like “Howling At Your Door”, “Hoodoo Mask”, and “Ashes on the Highway”.

The headliners for the day need to introduction. When Shortstraw performs, you know you are in for one epic dance party – and this edition of Park Acoustics was no exception. And I was front and centre to the indie madness. The crowd went absolutely crazy for their hits “Bikini Weather”, “Couch Potato”, “Gimme My Fix”, and “Ignorance Is Bliss”.

In all honesty, for the entirety of their set, everyone was dancing and screaming along. Every Shortstraw song was a hit. For anyone who also saw Shortstraw at Oppikoppi 2016, we were treated to the reprisal of Crazy Jay and his sexy outfit, and killer dance moves. He kept the crowd entertained while Shortstraw supplied the epic soundtrack.

They were the perfect end to a sunny, warm Sunday in the Capital City. Hands down, August’s Park Acoustic’s was my favourite one for 2017 (so far). The next Park Acoustics on the first of October will bring the sounds of Dan Patlansky, Tidal Waves and Gerald Clark’s music to our ears. Maybe after that one, I might have a new favourite.

Watch this space for regular updates in the Music category on Running Wolf’s Rant.

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