The event started off at 8.30pm with pre-drinks downstairs. Mingling and networking was the order of the day and an awesome atmosphere built up the anticipation for the main event. The mysterious masked DJ Skelemton got things started at 9pm and set the mood for an exciting night of music.
The first Future Music finalist to perform was Joburg-based electro dance DJ The Watermark High. He didn’t have much of a stage presence (perhaps he had a bit of the nerves) but his blend of electro beats fit right into the mood of the night.
Second on stage was The Brother Moves On (To where? No one knows). Like The Watermark High, I’d never heard of them before but I guess that’s what Future Music is all about. Discovering and exposing new sounds to the mainstream is the main purpose of the initiative and The Brother Moves On is a perfect example of this. They killed their set, the live element was amazing and I especially enjoyed their drummer & bass guitarist they looked like they were enjoying themselves and that vibe resonated with the crowd so well.
The last act on stage, and probably the most recognizable, was Joburg-based rapper Reason. His hip hop set had a very refreshing element to it. He had two DJs with him; DJ P-Cutta, who was standing in for his usual partner in crime DJ Akio. He also had 37 Mph with him, who was handling the drum machine & provided all the beats to his live songs. He performed all his most popular songs like “No Sleep”, “Tla Ko Bone” & “A lot On My Mind” and closed off his set with the smash hit “Do It Like I Can”.
The main act, UK-based artist DJ Plastician, got on stage a little after midnight and the temperature literally picked up as there was not a single remote body in the house! He filled the theatre with so much trap and bass that we’d forgotten it was the early hours of the morning. Interestingly enough, he played a track in his set which had obvious influences of Tsonga traditional music in it. I’m not sure if the crowd noticed but it was highly appreciated by those who did. I left after Plastician closed the event when his set ended at 2 am and I left thoroughly satisfied.
On a sad note, A Brother Moves On lost one of their members, Nkush Burnslow, on Sunday. No further details have been released. Deepest condolences to his family, the band, their fans and friends.
