Afrikaans Pop!
Yes, I know Afrikaans music won’t mean much to most of you outside South Africa, but this blog is also aimed at many of my friends who now live outside our borders.
On Saturday night I ventured across to the former shrine to Afrikanerdom, the Voortrekker Monument. Where solemn religious services were once held, a pop concert was in full swing when I arrived just before 8pm. The reason I risked crossing the cultural divide? My friend Riana Nel was singing.
Riana is enjoying a stirling year on the South African pop charts – with four number ones on Jacaranda FM’s Top Twenty (and other charts across the country). Just last month her latest album Die Moeite Werd (Worth It) won best pop album at the Huisegnoot Tempo awards – Afrikaans music’s premier awards. She has worked hard for it, paid her dues, and is now criss-crossing the nation singing in church halls, sport stadiums, amphitheatres and other venues big and small. And from what I witnessed on Saturday night, she’s loving every minute.
The Voortrekker Monument
Riana Nel (black and white)
Riana Nel (colour)
Thinus Odendaal (the drummer, obviously)
Johan Bouwer (bass)
Damian Phillips (guitarist)
Cool lighting
Riana and her band
A few of Riana’s die-hard fans, who braved the cold to listen to her.
Belting out some pop
Riana from backstage
Looking to the heavens
Shall I leave you with one of her most popular country-pop songs? Why not …
6 Comments on “Afrikaans Pop!”
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They called me weed
I have been blogging here since around April 2011 - my little place on the blogosphere to express myself creatively. As a teenager I used to write a diary - in fact, as a 17-year-old living in Belgium, I wrote religiously every day. Fortunately the Internet didn't exist back then because my ramblings as a teenager were ever-so-slightly dark, cynical and depressing. You won't find much of that here. Also, mostly, I try not to get too deep or philosophical in this forum - I'd like my photography to uplift and inspire, and, where I can, I try to bring a bit of humour into my writing too. I've been fortunate enough to travel extensively and have made many friends across the globe. This is my spot to keep in touch with them.
Go Riri!! Thanks Rob for the cool pics.
Riana is a beautiful lady with a wonderful voice.
Great to see her doing so well! A wonderful Afrikaans ‘pop’ indeed
Reblogged this on randomly organized and commented:
i don’t have to know their language to like their music. i love the melody, the instruments, the voice…the feel….
The drummer looks pretty serious, but also like he’s having fun!
From all of the photos I’ve seen of him it looks as if he always has fun!