I didn't know The Pointer Sisters were in town. Do aKING have triangular shaped toes? Were they playing the roles of cultural ambassadors of Cape Town? Or do they just have a new shoe sponsorship? I'm going with triangle toes, that's way more impressive.
Society, in trendy Florida Road, is not the kind of place that'll turn a blind eye and a smile to a bit of puke and a few broken bottles. It's a high class establishment. Pink shirts, heeled shoes, and frequent "trips" to the bathroom. The Cape Town Embassy Building in Durban, if you will. And as such, it's the new venue of choice for out of town, “high brow” bands like Lark, The Dirty Skirts, Desmond and the Tutus, and now, aKING.
I can see why they like it. It must feel like home away from home for them. But by playing at Society, aKING completely bypassed the entire Durban music scene. The people that pay to watch bands, every weekend. To them, aKING aren't even on the map yet. Which is shame, because they're a great new band, that's well worth seeing.
I'd heard some negative feedback about aKING's Ramfest show. Then again, that was from people that weren't even there. But from the first few chords of “Decomposing Lullaby”, to the sombre mellowness of “Shine Your Light”, aKING were confident, tight, and elegantly rock 'n roll.
aKING are a much more controlled live act than the reckless abandon of a Fokofpolisiekar show. But if you look closely, beneath all the refined composure and structured thoughtfulness, they're giving it their all, hearts on their sleeves, even though the circulation in their toes must have been getting cut off.
The sound was great. Live, aKING sound as good, if not better, than their album. And it was a cool Tuesday night in Durban. The kind that makes you think it's the weekend, when the week's only just begun.
Click here to watch the video for "Safe As Houses"
Click here to watch the music video for "The Dance"
