Originally from South Africa and now based in the United Kingdom, popular band Stone Jets is a musical partnership between bassist and lead vocalist Given Nkanyane and guitarist Manfred Klose. Stone Jets is making its mark and winning fans while filling each engagement with its undeniable, distinctive musical prowess and talent.
Earlier this year, Stone Jets won the 4th heat of the Pilton Stage competition to gain the 7th finalist position from over 1300 entries. At the final on the 16th March, Stone Jets together with Sam Evans from Somerset, UK were announced the winners of the Pilton Stage 2024 which ultimately lead to a slot on one of the prestigious stages at Glastonbury 2024 that takes place from 26 to 30 June 2024.
Co-creator of Glastonbury, Sir Michael Eavies was on the judging panel, witnessing the heats and the final. Both judging rounds resulted in Stone Jets being favoured as his first choice.
Given Nkanyane was briefly interviewed by BBC Radio Presenter Andy Bennett who was also part of the judging panel. During the interview Mr Bennett described Stone Jets music as a mix of Funk, Soul and the heart of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
The Pilton Stage is an event associated with the Glastonbury Festival. Basically, it’s a platform within the festival dedicated to showcasing emerging talent, giving aspiring artists and bands like Stone Jets the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience.
The competition typically involves artists submitting their work for consideration, and a selection process determines who gets to perform on the Pilton Stage during the festival. It’s a great opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to gain exposure and experience performing at a renowned music festival.
“We are still reeling from that moment when we realised it’s real, it’s happening, we are going to perform at Glastonbury,” says Given Nkanyane. Even more gratifying, Stone Jets will be performing on at least four different Glastonbury stages.
Stone Jets are going places
After a highly successful showcase amongst many highly talented bands held at Yamaha Music’s London’s flagship Soho store at the end of 2023, Stone Jets was selected Yamaha Music London Ambassadors for 2024 thereby receiving recognition and acclaim for the talents of Given Nkanyane’s distinct voice and in equal measures Manfred’s guitar prowess.
Appointed Yamaha Music London ambassadors means the band has access to a vast array of award-winning instruments and the opportunity to perform at some of London’s best venues and other engagements across Europe. This is a far cry from their early days trundling the Cape Town gig circuit in hopes of the odd booking with Manfred playing the guitar he built.
Stone Jets will be performing in Czech Republic later in the as part of their European Tour. Also on this year’s schedule were two May performances at The Royal Chelsea Flower Show.
The band will have new offerings by releasing 2 singles in August and September, produced by Brett Shaw who has worked with the likes of Florence and the Machine.
Known for their original sound and compositions, Stone Jets creates original toe-tapping music, wrapped in soul with a scattering of traditional elements. They released their EP’s, What I Say, in 2016. Memory, in 2018, followed by 3 Single in 2020 and live EP titled Live In West Hampstead, in 2022.
They have played all of South Africa’s major festivals including Oppikoppi and Splashy Fen as well as a host of venues such as Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. Stone Jets previously supported Stelth Ulvang (of The Lumineers) during his 2016 SA tour and James Morrison on his debut tour of South Africa in 2019.
A major career highlight is the One Side Acoustic gig that Stone Jets played sharing the stage with the late great South African jazz trumpet legend, Bra Hugh Masekela and Majozi.
In 2018 Stone Jets toured nationally and then internationally for the first time to the United Kingdom and Ireland. After being well received by British audiences, Given and Manfred relocated to London in 2019 where they have been crafting their distinct Stone Jets sound and continuously gaining fans.
Becoming Yamaha Music Store Ambassadors, and playing new gigs coupled with the release of two new singles as well as taking to not one but four stages at Glastonbury is making 2024 a rewarding year for them.
Like their name states, Stone Jets is busy lifting off their music career and flying like jets while remaining as grounded as stone; focussing on constant growth and learning to ultimately become valued world citizens through their music.
Listen on line on Spotify and Platoon; visit Stone Jets on YouTube and www.stonejets.com or follow @StoneJets online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on SA Music Zone.
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