Cape
Town – a land where the inner-city hipsters judge the quality of a band’s music
based on its failure to sell albums, and write-off anyone who happens to have a
hit on the radio, because really, what kind of mainstream fools even listen to
the radio? How, then, did Prime Circle expect to sell out a venue as large as
Grandwest’s Grand Arena? Well – take note, hipsters – if they’ve had so many
radio hits, they must have had some fans in the first place, right? The answer
is yes – they had a whole arena full.
The
Grand Arena has in the past played host to international bands including The
Script, Daughtry and Nickelback, with The Fray and 30 Seconds to Mars both
scheduled for later this year, but this was the first time I had experienced it
with the golden circle and general admission areas instead filled with chairs.
I must say, it was a welcome sight. With tonight’s concert attracting a large
number of the older crowd, as well as parents with children, seating everyone
made for a less tiring evening, but did not stop the fans from jumping up and
leaving their seats long forgotten by the second song of the night.
Opening
act Jesse Clegg was treat for many of the audience members. Playing slowed down
acoustic versions of five of his song, ‘Heartbreak Street’ in particular
contained enough familiar lyrics to transport one back in time to 2008, when it
was a firm radio favourite.
It’s
a mind-blowingly quick changeover, thanks to the help of a giant curtain which
had been hiding all of Prime Circle’s gear, and within seconds they burst onto
stage. Now, I’d need both hands and possibly a foot to count the amount of
times I’ve seen Prime Circle before – but never quite like this.
Instantly,
the stage is lit up in all colours of the rainbow, with dancing lights and
background screens emphasizing each song. It’s impossible to reconcile this
band on stage tonight with the band that so often plays on outside stages at
the likes of the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts. Tonight, they’re just as
international as any of those bands that have been here before.
Brand
new single ‘Gone’ goes down a storm as the second song of the evening, but of
course we are treated to some of the old classics as well, including ‘Hello’
and ‘As Long As I Am Here’ from their first album, way back in 2002. And yes,
everyone does still remember the words to both songs.
With
the front rows having left their seats long ago, Prime Circle proceeded to
cover their fans in sparkly gold ribbons, which shot from the confetti cannons,
high into the air and elicited many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.
‘Out
of This Place’ and ‘Breathing’ are two of my personal favourites, also
performed impeccably, however the biggest singalong of the night was – without
a doubt – ‘She Always Gets What She Wants’. Frontman Ross Learmonth (still,
somehow, with that hint of a Scottish accent, although he left the country when
he was tow months old) dedicated the song to all the ladies in honour of
Women’s Day, and grinned broadly as the voices of the crowd overpowered his
own.
Closing
with ‘Consider Me’, the show was absolutely fantastic. Ending in a shower of
confetti, Prime Circle set the bar high for live performances, and other local
bands should take note. An absolutely professional production, it is no wonder
that the band have had successful European tours with bands including 3 Doors
Down.
As a
side note, there are several ways in which one can describe Grandwest Casino on
a Saturday night: the tourist brochures will certainly call it ‘a hive of
activity’, but I prefer ‘pure hell on earth’. Do arrive at 7pm for an 8pm show,
expecting to ‘just grab dinner when you get there’. What you’ll be doing is
entering a fierce battle with several teens on dates, and perhaps a crying
3-year-old before you get near the front of the line for any kind of food. In
fact, I’d advise to sneak in the side entrances near the arena, and skip the
rest altogether.
Original review also found on www.whatsonincapetown.com.
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