+LIVE+ Their SA stop of the Reunion Tour

By Marley

8 years ago, +LIVE+ fans all over the world’s hearts broke when the band announced they would be parting ways. Their “Live at the Paradiso – Amsterdam” DVD and CD were just released, and it was an incredible show. I was one of the fans who was angry and disappointed over the rumours that flew around and hoped as well, the boys from York, Pennsylvania, USA. Fast forward to 2017, and their three shows in South Africa sold out quicker than koeksisters at a bake sale.

+LIVE+ is an alternative rock band, the old 90s school band. One of the top bands to listen to when you were a teen in the 90s. They have sold over 22 million albums worldwide. What I find so interesting is you speak to other “rock fans,” and when they don’t know +LIVE+, well then there is the door. +LIVE+’s presence in the rock genre has made quite an impact on a lot of other bands we know today. Daughtry, Prime Circle, and more. But seeing +LIVE+ live is one whole other thing. I’ve seen many, many national and international bands in my time thus far. And no one can come closer to +LIVE+.

I was lucky to receive two golden circle tickets as a birthday present back in June. The tickets were sold out the same day we got ours. Lucky fish! On the weekend of 10 November 2017, we made our way to the capital, Pretoria, to watch this glorious band. This was a first-time visit to a new venue, Time Square at Menlyn Maine. This is part of a new building in the Tsogo Sun group, and I must say it’s a shining new addition to the Menlyn skyline. After a well-deserved beer at The Brew Monkey, we sat down at the outside bar, temp build just for the show. The doors are only opening in a few hours, and fans made their way in their numbers to the venue. And I do mean all of them, 20 000 to be right. It was a lovely afternoon kuier with fellow Nelspartans, both those who have moved away and those still live in the Spruit.

What felt like a lifetime, the doors finally opened, and all of us were crammed into rows to be scanned, searched, and then allowed into the heaven of rock awaiting us. The lines for the bars were massively long, as well as for the bathrooms. Which always seems to be a problem at any major event. Golden Circle ticket holders had to go down some stairs that the friendly security showed us to. Of course, we just had to stop at the merch table, and a small fortune later we were kitted. You might spot me next time wearing my +LIVE+ t-shirt. Now it was time to wait for the band to start. But I must say I respect the team of AMP Events, who are responsible for bringing +LIVE+ (and in the past The Pixies and Ed Kowalczyk) to our shores. Everyone laughed at them, saying rock ‘n roll is dead. Well, there were 20,000 people saying rock is not dead. It’s alive, and well, we just don’t give a fuck what others think of us.

Jacaranda FM’s Martin Bester and AMP Events big guy, Andy, entered the stage. They announced not only the band and opening band, but also that the evening show as well as the next day’s show will be recorded for a Blu-Ray DVD. Keep your eyes peeled for 2018 and this piece of heaven. The opening band, Sweet Residence, is from Cape Town. With a front lady, Natasha Meister, who can shred on guitar. It was the first time seeing the band, and I’m truly not impressed. It lacked spirit to me. Of course, every guy in the audience thought she was sexy as hell. But hey, each to his own right? When they left the stage, that butterflies-in-the-stomach time came for me. The time between the changeover and the band being on stage. It’s like getting your first kiss. In my case, it was my 6th +LIVE+ show. And then, the lights dim, and the fans eagerly hold their breath until you see the outline of the band members walking on stage.

Then! It’s a rocking boom of drums, guitar, and bass with Ed Kowalczyk’s unique voice. Oh man, I’m in goosebumps mode all over again. Since 1991, the boys from +LIVE+ have been making music, and their unit was tight as ever on stage. You could see the friendship had rekindled and that they were back, baby. What was different from all their other shows was that they did a lot of “unknown” songs from their albums. If you are not a die-hard fan, like I am, you wouldn’t have known half of it. Since their first album “Mental Jewellery” turned 25 years old this year, they did a few songs from it. Including “The Beauty of Grey”, a beautiful acoustic version of “Mirror Song” and “Pain Lies on the Riverside”. Of course, other songs that featured were “Run to the Water” (The Distance to Here), “Iris”, and “All Over You” (Throwing Copper). “Lakini’s Juice” and “Rattlesnake” (The Secret Samadi). One of the highlights was having Ed walk onto the stage and just acoustic sing “Turn My Head” (where he asked everyone to switch on their cellphone lights), “Heaven” (which he dedicated to all the daughters and moms in the crowd), and “Mirror Song”.
Live also did a tribute to the late Chris Cornell by doing a cover of the Audioslave song “I Am the Highway”. Another cover was “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash. This was introduced by a voice recording of the late Mr Cash speaking about the song. It was just emotional and amazing at the same time.

I, of course, can’t stop staring at bassists, and to see Patrick Dahlmeier go through the different styles of playing the bass showed the progression this band has grown. He is certainly an excellent bassist. The usually quiet Chad Taylor on guitar looked like a real rock star and had the crowd licking his guitar solos up like sugar. Ed, of course, has a stage persona that is just addictive. He is rocking sexy, with smiling eyes that can tell you anything. I love this man’s songwriting; it’s inspired so many poems by me as well. And of course has taught me more about life and love than any book I’ve ever read. His way of connecting with the fans is just mind-blowing. He proved this when they did “Lightning Crashes”, and it was just simply emotional. From the first time hearing it, to attaching the song to many sad and good memories, to singing it back to the band. Looking back, it was just a moment of peace in the chaos that was the Golden Circle. When it was all over, I wanted to rewind it to the first song. I wanted to go through it all over again. With my voice hanging on the rafters, we had to decide to leave the now near-empty stage. The show was over.

I have more happy news to share. An avid reader of this website and personal friend, Bianca Stevens, got engaged to her boyfriend, local artist Ian Nel. We didn’t see this big event happening, but she shared this on Instagram. Congratulations, you two. As we walked through the crowd with light hearts, the song going over and over in my head, I really didn’t want to come back home. +LIVE+ just brought me home in my heart and soul. And for the first-timers that were there as well. Well, they felt the same way. It took a whole other beer to make me stop shaking from the adrenaline, and we had to make our way back to our accommodation. Everyone asked us here and there how it was. I have one word: amazing.

I know AMP Events is not done with us, and they will make our hearts beat faster. I hope for 2019, announcing more great acts to come. For those who think +LIVE+ is lame, your loss. To the ones who don’t know +LIVE+, let this article inspire you to discover the treasures that +LIVE+ has laid down at our feet. Who teaches about things you only hear about.

Like Ed said, “Music has the power to bring people together” (which is true). +LIVE+’s music truly brought the people together.

Come back home soon, boys.

Thank you kindly to Bianca for allowing us to share some of her photos!

Marley VW

Marley is the founder and owner of Small Town Music. Born and bred in Nelspruit aka Nelsparta. Marley loves music (rock being a firm favourite), tattoos, festivals, animals and South Africa. Self-taught photographer and writer.