So so tender in Grahamstown

AS I write this, I'm with Matt Vend and The Tender Ten. Nivs and Ballie. That makes it Mthondo weSizwe. Of course they call it Ntondo Where's Sizwe?. Which is the official name on the posters, by the way. I smell a tinge of the Ballie's influence on that one. (Right, right, jolly good.)

Champs Action Bar is the place. In Grahamstown. The place of a humble and electric culture. People perform suspension and all kinds of other things in this place. There are serious goings on here. One only need plug in.

So tonight, it is guitar, vocals and pub action, as it were. Hearty Durban melodies with strong leanings to Blues and Punk at times. Even though I was feeling a little tender my self, i managed to remain standing for quite a few songs from his albums A Quieter Riot and Tavern Talk. There were many other songs of course, as he gave Champs a 3-set performance.
His music gives that healthy upbeat swing and then he sometimes drops the tempo with low Blues bridges and fills. Brilliant music with a searching heart. The music is very much road tunes. Something about the lyricism and emotion says that they are truly on tour.
There'll be different stages, crowds and venues. The vibe will be what it is on that night.


Finally he's off the stage. He's been thrashing that guitar pretty seriously. I think he lost a string. But right now I'm listening in on a hilarious conversation between him and a first year Ethno-Musicology student. My gods, it's hard to be believe we were once first years too. To save face(s) I will cut it off right here, and have 1 last drink.


Here are a few pictures.

Find him on tour through South Africa at https://www.facebook.com/mattvend031 and at www.mattvend.com If you get the chance, don't miss it.