Gig Giveback: Henry Ate...

Yip, you read that right - a Henry Ate gig! A reunion tour comprising Karma and Julian - together on stage. Friday 2 May 2008. Cape Town, South Africa!

And not just any venue - but thee venue that started my love of SA music all those many moons ago. The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. A divine drinking spot, in the sunshine, by the sea!

And so it came to be that when Karma was planning the Henry Ate Reunion Tour in South Africa that I suggested that she just had to play the Brass Bell. So her people spoke to their people, a music license was obtained for an afternoon show - and Henry Ate was set to go!

To make the day even more memorable for me - I was super blessed to have my best friend also in Cape Town on holiday - down from Dubai.

And so we relived the moments together, over 10 years later and singing at the top of our lungs, not missing a line!

Sitting on the other side of the Bell from the first concerts many years before, in an area now known as the Bikini Deck - Karma and Jules filled the space with the immense memories of our youth! And it was at the Bell that while singing 'Waves of Salt' that a giant wave had crashed over the wall of the restaurant and sprayed the unsuspecting concert goers who were all eyes on the band! Karma spoke fondly of such Henry Ate memories - and allowed the audience to request the songs they really craved...

I shouted out for 'So he says' - no 11 on Henry Ate's SAMA-winning debut album Slap in the Face for those who knew it well... And so with Julian's harmonies hugging up to Karma as though not a day had gone by between them playing together, 'So he says' was sung - perfectly!

All the hits were pulled out the bag... Hey Mister, Pandora's Child, Eudaimomia, Henry and of course the classic 'castles in the sky' song - Just!

Plus everyone sung along to "You're so damn fat, tell me how the hell you get like that? loset munchies, all of you. Have you got nothing else.. to do? So eat yourself to death before Sunday afternoon!"

It was the most ecstatic afternoon of reminiscing, singing along and watching Karma smile the whole way through. She even apologised to those who grew up on the songs and stewed in their melancholy whilst she sat there and sang them all with the biggest smile slapped across her face. It was for her as memorable as it was for us. The sweetest slap in the face, reliving memories of pure Brass Bell bliss!

Rock on reliving our youth,
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