CAPETONIANS will have the opportunity this week to experience the raw and soulful sounds of legendary South African rocker Karen Zoid, with guitarist Henry Steel, in an unforgettable unplugged performance. Stripped down to the essence of their music, it’s an absolute must-see at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre On The Bay from 27 June to 1 July, nightly at 8pm.
Born in Brussels to a South African diplomat, Zoid grew up in Belgium before moving to Johannesburg. Here she attended the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, before going on to study drama at AFDA. In 2001, in true rockstar-style, she dropped out of university to focus her attention on music.
Since releasing her first solo album, Poles Apart (2002), Zoid has become such an important part of the home grown scene that her name is now the byword for emotionally charged, downright incendiary South African rock music. The press renamed her followers the “Zoid Generation”.
Through the last decade, Zoid has managed that unusual, and frequently tricky feat of balancing popular appeal with critical praise, of securing an audience of both Afrikaans and English speakers, and of retaining her individuality in a market known for its desire for “sameness”. Through it all, Zoid has held onto an enviable integrity that allows her to speak her mind in a way that only earns her more devotees and proved no barrier to being named Best Female Artist at the 2008 South African Music Awards.
Zoid’s super-charged rock energy is an ability to write gorgeous, delicately rendered songs that speak of the emotional vortex that drives this exceptional artist to keep creating. Her album Zoid Afrika shows that Karen Zoid is South Africa’s premier female rock artist, full stop.
Zoid has earned various accolades during the course of her career, including gold album sales, but she says what continues to drive her is a deep-seated desire to create music that she can get up on stage and play live.
“When I was in that all-girl punk band, or busking, or when I am playing to a huge crowd, the feeling I get from delivering my music is still the same – and that’s why I do this. All the stuff that goes around making an album – the promo, the interviews, making videos, the artwork … that’s work. Playing live? That’s what I love.”
Tickets are R150 – R250, through Webtickets or the Theatre On The Bay box office 021 438 3300/1.
Instagram: @karen_zoid
Twitter: @karenzoid
Facebook: Karen Zoid
PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Reinecke
