Related
Zebra & Giraffe in motion
Ruth Cooper 13 Nov 2015
Zebra & Giraffe knuckle down
Ruth Cooper 3 Sep 2014
Going Back to the Crossroads at Kirstenbosch
Michael Britton 15 Feb 2012
Things get a little wild at Kirstenbosch
26 Nov 2008
This first of this year's Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts got off to a great start to a packed out concert arena last Sunday. Aaah lazy Sunday afternoons; the sun shone, birds sang, bubbles breezed by gently, wine flowed, animals frolicked, well not so much frolicked but more jumped about manically with guitars. What animals would do such a thing I hear you ask? Well Greg Carlin and his four Jozi band mates from ‘so hot right now' band, Zebra & Giraffe of course. Hmm perhaps not such a lazy Sunday after all.
Though having said that even though the concert arena seemed packed to the max those there seemed pretty subdued with only a few teeny boppers jumping around for the last couple of songs. And it wasn't as if Zebra & Giraffe weren't playing up tempo danceable music because they most definitely were it just seems that the Kirstenbosch vibe calls for a much more laid back and refined response (most of the time, I've been to a few concerts when it wasn't very refined at all) and granted you don't want your Woolies chicken satays, homous and strawberries to get mashed under dancing feet.
Zebra & Giraffe consist of brainchild of the band and lead vocalist Greg Carlin as well as fellow band mates, Alan Shenton (Guitar), Andrew Maskell (Bass), Rob Davidson (Keyboards) and Darren Leader (Drums). The guys all seem to rock a very similar look; the indie-band uniform consisting of edgy emo type haircuts that flop attractively in front of the eyes and can be pushed back somewhat impatiently, the prerequisite skinny jeans and perhaps a skinny tie or two. Yes they all looked quite snazzy and attractive on stage. But what did they sound like?
Never seeing them live before and only vaguely knowing a song off the radio I wasn't too sure what to expect and was happy to hear a tight well put together sound from them. They have a similar presence and pop/rock sound to their Cape Town counterparts; The Dirty Skirts though perhaps more serious and less brightly coloured.
Zebra & Giraffe are still very new and have seemed to have gained much success in the few short months that they have been around including radio hits and playing their first live show at Oppikoppi. I still think they have a way to go in developing their sound and interactions on stage and perhaps adding a few more songs to the repertoire (the concert did seem to end a little early) but no doubt I'm sure they will and we shall be hearing great things about Zebra & Giraffe in the future.
