The Africa Voices Trust will present their annual gala concert at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town on Monday 8 September, featuring award winning programme graduates Zebra & Giraffe who will be performing a unique unplugged and "stripped down" show including new material off their latest release KNUCKLES.
Says lead singer and founder, Greg Carlin: "The Africa Voices Programme has turned our world upside down. It has taught us new ways of thinking about our music, from how we produce it to how we perform it. The programme has re-energized the band in ways we never thought possible. I've personally learnt more in the past few months than I've learnt in my entire time in the music industry. The programme has demystified so many aspects of what makes music successful, powerful and globally accessible. It's knowledge that's being offered nowhere else in South Africa!"
In the six years since Zebra & Giraffe performed their first show to an expectant crowd at Oppikoppi in 2008, the band have headlined all of South Africa's major festivals, toured the length and breadth of the country and performed alongside The Killers, Snow Patrol, Oasis, Sum41, Prodigy and Panic at the Disco. In 2009, they were invited to perform live at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Nairobi, Kenya, and in 2011 performed at MusExpo in Los Angeles.
KNUCKLES is the fourth studio release from Zebra & Giraffe, following COLLECTED MEMORIES (2008) which produced seven Top10 singles and won the SAMA for 'Best Rock Album' and the MTV All Africa Award for the band as 'Best Alternative Band'; THE KNIFE EP (2010), launched internationally and mixed at Metropolis Studios in London (Editors, Florence and The Machine, Snow Patrol, U2); THE INSIDE (2010); and THE WISEST ONES (2012) which again won the SAMA for 'Best Rock Album' and earned MK Music Awards nominations for 'Best Video', 'Best Group' and 'Best Rock Album'.
Africa has talent. It has an abundant wealth of exciting musical talent that needs to be nurtured.The Africa Voices Trust is a non-profit organization created to support the development of highly talented and deserving young African musicians and singers across all styles and genres. The primary goal of the Trust is to identify, educate and grow future stars and to empower them to create financially sustainable and meaningful careers. In order to make their mark in the music industry - one of the most competitive industries in the world - South African artists must be equipped with know-how and experience and have access to world-class music mentoring and facilities that will guide them to a point where they are ready to produce music that can compete with the best in the world. Africa Voices do not just aim to teach the participants valuable skills; but to identify and nurture leadership potential, to support entrepreneurial spirit and to actively inspire and empower them to take responsibility for their role as future standard bearers in the growth of the African Music Industry.
There is no academic requirement to gain entry to the programme. The financial incapability to pursue academic studies, regardless of talent and ambition, is a relevant factor and a reality in South Africa which results in great talent falling by the wayside. All the recording, performance and career development programmes presented by the Africa Voices Trust are offered free of charge to successful participants, as the Trust actively raises all funds required to facilitate these opportunities.
All proceeds of the Gala Concert with Zebra and Giraffe on 8 September will go towards the work of the Africa Voices Trust. Tickets cost R100 to R140 via 0214614554 or Computicket. Special discounts are available for Friends of the Fugard and Students.
