By Marley
Prime Circle rocked the Lowveld so hard they had to do it twice in one weekend. Now if that does not rock ‘n roll enough for you then nothing will be. But Prime Circle came and rocked the boots off their fans in September of 2021.
Since 2000 Prime Circle took the nation by storm with their runaway hit “Hallo” – opened for Live and then it was rocking history. 21 years down the line and the boys that started out in Witbank (now eMalaheni) and moved to the City of Gold (Johannesburg) hasn’t looked back. It feels like I’ve seen every show they ever did at Blue Moon (I probably did) and have been missing a few shows when they have been down. But not, on Saturday 11 September we made our way to The Barnyard at Casterbridge in White River. I haven’t been to Barnyard in a few short years (thanks Covid) and it’s under new management.
Their Friday evening show was sold out (due to level 3 Covid restrictions) and they added a Saturday show as well. So for the fans who couldn’t make it the first time, they came round the second time. It was a small crowd I must admit but in all, it’s better that way. With Covid, we can all understand it.
(photo by Small Town Music)
I must compliment the band as a whole meaning their sound and light guys included. Did you know that their sound, instruments and more are sent ahead in a different van to the venue to be set up? I haven’t seen it that much but I think for any band it’s a great investment. Yes, more salaries and etc – it works. The stage lighting and sound was out of this Lowveld pound. It almost felt like an international band had to come up, oh wait, Prime Circle IS international. The movement of them coming on is always a favourite part of mine – excited like a kid over a lollipop.
(photo by Small Town Music)
Between the four people and me on the floor, it took the rest of the seated people a few songs into their first set to get up and join the rockers. We have forgotten how to relax and play. We social distance with strangers and sing with our friends. This new world is so wired and so broken still, we are still mending ourselves. However, Prime’s songs and music have helped us all the weekend – from hits like “Hallo” (played a bit differently) to “My City” and “Innocense”. I loved how the band took older songs, reworked them. A story or two in between. How can we all be almost 40 and still enjoy it?
(photo by Small Town Music)
Because it’s good, that’s why.
The last time I saw the boys were in 2019 at Innibos, with a double fractured leg I was forced to watch them from afar. I missed them in your face, sing-a-long like you should at a Prime Circle show. I’m glad I could join the fans in front of the stage. What a show.
Thank you to the team at The Barnyard in White River for the awesome Saturday.
