THE OFF WHITE CONCERT LIVE AT BIG TOP ARENA CARNIVAL CITY 25 NOVEMBER: SIMPHIWE DANA, SAMTHING SOWETO, MANDISI DYANTIS, ZOE MODIGA, LANGA MAVUSO

On Saturday the 25th of November, Banda Banda Agency hosts The Off White Concert at Big Top Arena at Carnival City. This unforgettable experience will feature some of South African music’s most significant artists: Simphiwe Dana, Samthing Soweto, Mandisi Dyantis, Zoe Modiga and Langa Mavuso. Tickets are priced from R300.00 at Computicket.

Promoter Banda Banda says, “This is a very special lineup, they are the biggest names in music, and they are entertainment industry culture shifters too.” Mandisi Dyantis, Simphiwe Dana, Samthing Soweto, Zoe Modiga and Langa Mavuso will share their love songs, healing music, dance music, and songs about self-love with the audience. “This will undoubtedly be a night to remember.” Says Banda Banda.

Of the shows lineup he says, ” Simphiwe Dana is one of South Africa’s most accomplished artists with a huge catalog of music to pick from with her powerful lyrics and amazing voice, she always puts on an incredible show. Samthing Soweto, the “Akulaleki” hit maker, is sure to bring a unique flavour to the night with him being the in the forefront of Amapiano Movement, which has taken the the world by storm, with his element of timelessness.”

He adds, “This show is a celebration of South African music. This wouldn’t happen without Mandisi Dyantyis Present. He is one of the South African artist’s who is loved by our people. Zoë Modiga is slowly becoming a household name with an amazing presence in her performances. After releasing her Inganekwane l album she won a lot of hearts with songs like Umdali, Isegazini. Like her, Langa Mavuso is also a rising star with his love songs like Sunday Blues, Intliziyo and Mvula.”

Simphiwe Dana is “Excited to be billed alongside these talented young artists and look forward to sharing a stage with them. I have respect for the work that they do.”

Samthing Soweto comments, “I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with Simphiwe Dana. It feels like yesterday were I heard her voice for the first time through the television screen during a scene of the hit show Yizo Yizo. I was still a teen then and if you told me I’d be sharing the stage with her many years later I wouldn’t believe you. I look up to the artistry of Mandisi, Zoe and Langa. They are hardworkers but do it with so much grace and elegance, it’s inspirational to see. I’m humbled to be included on this line up.”

For Mandisi Dyantis “The styles of the artists compliment each other very well. I am an fan of all of them and its great to be asked to join the Off White Concert lineup.”

“This show is going to be a multigenerational cultural feast.” Promises Zoe Modioga. “A powerful lineup filled with people who’s calling I truly admire and love and have done so for many years. I am happy to be a part of celebrating them and making memories with the music lovers. I’m also excited to see fresh faces and celebrate with everyone.”

As for why the show is called The Off White Concert, Banda Banda explains, “This is a symbolic way of staying away from normality and a uniform way of being. When they say you are cut from a different cloth kinda meaning. When you come to experience this concert you must come knowing that it’s ok to be expensive and be away from normality and uniformity.”

Don’t miss out on one of the biggest music events of the year! With a lineup like this, this is sure to be an unforgettable night of music and entertainment.

ARTISTS

SIMPHIWE DANA

SIMPHIWE DANA PROFILE Simphiwe Dana’s discography, the intellectual and spiritual content of her art primarily pulses with the Xhosa cosmology of her cultural background, is Afrocentric in its temperament and identity, while at the same time possessing a measured and poignant universality in the exploration and articulation of what it means to be human.

 Dana’s art early formation and nurturing include her mother’s soulful and impassioned singing, to ‘unknown’ but life force talent that flowered and permeated Johannesburg small clubs and music scene, to the almost perfect on arrival professional debut with the 2004 recording, commercial and critical success of her debut album Zandisile.

Her skill and ability, to master the creation and guarded evolution of her music, is what separates her as a great artist from others. The artist has received numerous awards locally and internationally and saw her music topping global charts.

Simphiwe Dana’s third album Kulture Noir claimed the number one spot on the German World Music Charts and number three on the European Music Charts.

As an artist true to form, Simphiwe Dana strives to stimulate conversation that speaks to awareness and change of socio-economic challenges faced in communities across South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world.

Simphiwe Dana in the year of 2016 saw herself make history as she was named African Woman of the Year by New African Woman alongside the likes of Esther Mahlangu, Caster Semenya and Lupita Nyong’o. The afro-soul musician is seen as one of Africa’s women who are making an impact in Africa and across the globe.

 Additionally, Simphiwe Dana was identified as the 21st Icon in season 3 of 21 Icon South Africa, which aimed to highlight the future of the nation and capturing human achievement through photography, film and narratives. She is the first African artist to be awarded the Rising Star in Europe award, and is also the first South African artist to perform at the Essence Festival. She is the originator and convener of the inaugural African Union’s Arts and Culture Chapter.

To date, Simphwie Dana has released five studio albums (Zandisile, One Love Moment on Bantu Biko Street, Kulture Noir, Firebrand and Bamako) – not forgetting 2 live cd/dvds, Simphiwe Dana Live at the Lyric Theatre and The Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience.

 Simphiwe Dana also spread her magic into acting when she made her debut into the field by playing Themba’s mother in the film Themba: A Boy Called Hope. And most recently in the acclaimed film: Joko Ya Hao.

Staying true to her dreams, ambitions and passions, Simphiwe Dana saw herself bring a nine year dream to life by hosting The Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience featuring international music sensations Asa and Concha Buika, a 30 piece choir, and a 60-piece orchestra, with Winnie Mandela in attendance.

What gives Dana’s music endurance and flair – like great painters and writers of yore – is her commitment to record the pains and thrills of an / our age with lyrical content and perceptive sensitivity that projects understated beauty and timelessness.

 A Dana record does not date, but matures and continues to penetrate the smallest and obscurest crevices of our social fabric. Simphiwe Dana’s music is now part of the curriculum of prestigious institutions such as Oxford University in England. This is to be expected because living in a world where conformity is the norm, Simphiwe Dana has stood firm in her cultural and African identity.

 NOTABLE ACCOLLADES:

1) 9 South African Music Awards

2) 2 South African Metro Awards

3) 1 Avo (Baloise) Session Rising Star Award

 NOTABLE STAGES:

Italy Cities: Rome, Florence, Turin Montcalleri

 Jazz Festival: A tribute to Neson Mandela

UK Queen Elizabeth Hall / London Africa Festival London

 US Essence Festival

 The Apollo Austria: Jazz Festival Vienna

 Germany Kulturzelt Kassel Brotfabrik

 Frankfurt Paladia Jazz Jazzfestival

 Leverkusen Aalen Jazzfest Ingolstädter

 Jazztage Masala Festival Hannover

 Switzerland Avo Session ( incl. Avo session Award) – today Baloise Session Moods

 Bern Mühle Huntzingen

Norway World Music Festival – Oslo

 South Africa Cape Town International Festival Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz

The Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience.

MANDISI DYANTIS

 

We would like to introduce you to Mandisi Dyantyis, who is an Afro-Soul-Jazz artist.

Mandisi Dyantyis is a South African trumpeter and vocalist who in 2019 released his debut album entitled Somandla and was nominated for the SAMA award for best Jazz Album of 2019.

In the same year, he was nominated for the Mzantsi Jazz Awards and The Afrima The African Music Awards in the “Best Jazz Artist category”

On the success of this debut album, He has played the Summer Silo Concerts, J&B Met, and sold out the Grahamstown Jazz Festival, and since then, has sold out very club and mini festival bookings since. He has performed at the following festivals, such as Spier Encounters Festival, Grahamstown Arts Festival, V&A Waterfront Summer Concerts, Joburg International Big Band Festival, Woordfees, Cape Town Folk n Acoustic Music Festival, Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

On the 30th April 2021 Mandisi Dyantyis was the only South African artists chosen to perform in South Africa on the International Jazz Day that was screened around the world to millions of jazz fans.

His shows have become extremely popular with local fans. On the 28th, 29th and 30th May 2021, he sold out all three concerts in Bosheuvel Country Estate and 2 concerts at Summerhill Wine State in 16 hours.

Mandisi launched his Youtube channel a year ago and has already received a collective viewing of over 400 000 views across various shows. With other people putting up videos of him and with Next Records putting up his songs on YouTube, the viewing is in excess of 1.5 million views. His online show “A Living Room Session”, alone, has reached in the excess of 150 000 views.

His recent Gqeberha and upcoming dates in JHB sold out in 4 hours. In 2022 Mandisi Sold Out, The Pretoria State Theatre, The Bloemfontein State Theatre, and his recent Durban and East London shows.

He also sold out The Artscape Opera House in Cape Town and two nights at Emperors Palace.

He released his 2nd Album Cwaka in the beginning of 2022 and Cwaka has already past 2.5 million streams online. This is unprecedented for any jazz /soul artist.

Cwaka, also won the 2022 SAMA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

Mandisi was asked to feature on the Multichoice Origins campaign which showcased 6 of the hippest South African artists in various genres of dance, film and music.

This resulted in a 6 week roll out on Prime Television and a performance at the Joburg Film Festival.

In the same month he was asked to be part of the PLATOON [Apple Music] mural on a wall in Maboneng.

He also Mandisi also travelled with the artist, Nelson Makamo to New York, and they spent a month in Boston, lecturing and curating stories with the students at the music and arts department at Harvard.

In October, he also toured a sell out tour in France with his Isango Ensemble Theatre Company, for which he is an associate director and musical director for the past 16 years.

This past Summer, Mandisi headlined a few festivals and concerts and also shared the stage with a few South Africa icons.

SAMTHING SOWETO

Years before Samthing Soweto scooped his first solo South African Music Award for his 2019 seminal album, Isiphithiphithi, the singer-songwriter was focused on the alchemy of accessibility. “I was conscious of the fact that I’d been writing these songs that are very deep and these harmonies, and stuff that is very artistic. But it wasn’t getting as many people on board. So what should I do? I needed to streamline and make my music more accessible.” And he did.

The man who was born Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba in 1988 revived a cappella singing in pop culture by co-founding The Soil in 2004. He was a third of critically acclaimed nu-jazz outfit, The Fridge in 2011 and the voice of the ubiquitous, multi-award winning Akanamali by Sun-El Musician in 2017. His 2020 offering, Danko! paid homage to the amapiano community that embraced him and in 2022, Samthing Soweto stepped away from the current sound of the dance world to present Amagents, the lead single off his forthcoming genre-defying album.

“Right now, I’m trying to make music that feels right and is also guided by my audience,” he shares. “To be honest, I am doing what I always do best. I am a disruptor. I study the machine and use my voice and writing to make it more beautiful to as many people as possible.”

ZOE MODIGA

Zoë Modiga born and raised in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, is the quintessential artist who represents the present and future of South African music. Drawing from the human experience, identity and storytelling, she creates a distinct sound to communicate a modern, evolving African story without loosing its essence.

As a lively, transcendent performer with a background in classical and jazz training, she is known to enchant audiences into another world while having an evocative individualism in fashion and imagery.

Zoë is an independent artist, releasing her debut album, “Yellow: The Novel” and her sophomore album, “Inganekwane,” under her label Yelloëwax. She is celebrated with nominations such as: Best Jazz Album and Best African Artist for the South African Music Awards (2018), Female Artist of the Year by the VN Streaming (2020), Best African Jazz Artist at the All Africa Music Awards (2021), Based in Music Awards (2022).

She has been honoured with the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition (2015) and awards such as the Mbokodo Award for Music (2019), Mzantsi Jazz Awards for Best Jazz Contemporary Album, Best Newcomer in Jazz and Best Jazz Song (2018), Dopest Album Cover of 2020 by African Design League.

The impact of Zoë’s messages has materialised with her being the cover girl for renowned British-based publication, Songlines UK (2020) and a proudly South African publication, Botaki Youth Magazine : Women’s Edition (2020). She also makes an appearance on Netflix series, “Savage Beauty” (2022).

Despite the global pandemic she was able to spearhead virtual performances throughout the year, collaborating with the likes of the Credo Mutwa Foundation, Redbull, PUMA and Goethe Institute to name a few.

Her enthusiasm for unorthodox music education has moved her to collaborate the department of higher education and training, in partnership with the department of science through the initiative called, “The Heritage Careers Expo”. In championing workshops, she has been able to mobilise conversations around heritage, identity, storytelling and music to inspire and empower young minds from various demographics and socio economic backgrounds.

Zoë has performed at celebrated festivals in South Africa such as: the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Durban Jazz Festival, Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, Afropunk, Redbull Music Festival, Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival, Joburg Film Festival, Fete De La Musique, Blooming Sounds, Mzansi Fela, Basha Uhuru Festival, and many more.

Internationally, she has played at the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Africa Festival Hertme (Netherlands), MTN Bushfire Festival (Swaziland), Africadelic and frequents world tours with a music collective she collaborates with called, “Seba Kaapstad”.

She has participated in Somi’s Salon Africana series (New York) and production, “Dreaming Zenzile” (New York/Utah) — a celebration and reimagining of Miriam Makeba’s life.

True to her pan African activism, she has partnered with allies, university students, academics, war survivors and artists, with the support of the African Union for the Silencing the Guns campaign. This is a pledge for peace, aiming to address the issues of war and civil unrest in Africa.

Zoë has collaborated with some of the worlds finest musicians including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg, Abigail Kubeka, Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana, Madala Kunene, Louis Maholo, Tshepo Tshola, Wynton Marsalis and many more.

An authentic, compelling artist challenging the status quo, Zoë Modiga is steadily creating an immortal legacy of cultural impact through music, fashion and storytelling.