Florence and the Machine (sometimes stylised as Florence + the Machine) is the recording name of English pop artist Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music for her voice.

Florence and the Machine’s sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul.

Local band in CT, recorded and shot with absolutely no budget whatsoever. Luke Viviers and Bheki Dladla lead vocals with Tony Shine and Just Nathan on the strings. Music Video directed by Porteus Xandou.

On Sunday, Cape Town was treated to one of the best live performances I’ve seen to date.

The Killers rocked the stage, which was set in the stunning Val De Vie Wine and Polo Estate near Paarl.

Here are some photos of the event via Jared Botha.

I haven’t seen Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” redone in a cool way since the scene from Wayne’s World back in the day.

The Muppets really add a slick element to this classic song… Happy Friday!

In an attempt to generate some childhood nostalgia, I stumbled across good old Captain Planet… I didn’t quite find what I was looking for in this ridiculous video. It’s good for a laugh though.

Got a good feeling about this weekend and I’m sure everyone’s a bit sick of ‘I gotta feeling’, so I’m going to kick Friday off with a chilled track from the Killers.

They’re coming to Cape Town next month, so it’s best we all get familiar with more of their music.

Their latest mission, six undercover actors burst into song in a grocery store in Queens. After a few minutes of singing and wacky choreography, they returned to their roles as shoppers and stock boys. The mission was filmed with hidden robotic, lipstick, and wearable cameras. The song was played over the store’s PA system live.

This is one of nearly 100 different missions Improv Everywhere has executed over the past eight years in New York City. Others include Frozen Grand Central, the Food Court Musical, and the famous No Pants Subway Ride, to name a few.

The Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts are in my top 5 list of cool things to do in Cape Town. If you’ve ever been to one, it’s not hard to figure out why.

Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts

Here is the list of bands playing at the 2009/2010 concerts:

• Johnny Clegg (November 22)
• Jesse Clegg (December 6)
• Jonny Cooper Orchestra (December 13)
• Ashtray Electric and Pretty Blue Guns (December 27)
• A Fist Full of Diamonds with Josie Fields, Farryl Purkiss and Dan Patlansky (January 3)
• Freshlyground (January 10)
• Kirstenbosch Gardens, photo courtesy Greg Beadle
• Zebra & Giraffe (January 17)
• Fokofpolisiekar (January 24)
• aKING (February 7)
• Just Jinjer (February 21)
• Prime Circle (February 28)
• Goldfish (March 7)
• The Dirty Skirts (March 14)
• The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (March 21)
• Watershed (March 28)

The party continues with the Old Mutual Encounters series, featuring Claire Philips and Neo Muyanga (November 29); Lira, Hip Hop Pantsula and RJ Benjamin (January 31); Jamali, Jody, Sasha Lee, Soulstone (February 14); and Tidal Waves and Tumi Molekane (April 4).

Tickets will sell fast, so make sure you book online at www.webtickets.co.za or call +27 21 799 8783/8620
Find out more about Cape Town events here.

U2 have confirmed via video blog that their sold-out concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, this Sunday, 25th October, will be streamed free, in full and live on YouTube.

This is the first time that a show of this size will be streamed live.
Head to Youtube.com/u2 for more information.

Here’s the Friday song of the month to kickstart your weekend… I hope you guys find the ‘baddest thing around town’ tonight.

Fleet Foxes is a five-piece Seattle-based band signed to Sub Pop and Bella Union. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes. Both Sun Giant and their eponymous debut album received much critical praise and reviewers often noted their use of refined lyrics and vocal harmonies. The quintet describes its music as “baroque harmonic pop jams”.

MYKONOS! Directed & animated by Sean Pecknold, designed by Jesse Brown:

Following a housewarming in Cape Town, a large group of us made our way to The Assembly to watch Zebra and Giraffe, followed by The Wedding DJ’s live in action.

It was the unexpected pairing of two disparate styles of music and stage presence that made for one impressive show.

Zebra and Giraffe were great, playing many of their songs that one recognizes from the airplay they receive on 5FM, which quickly reminds you why they’re quickly becoming a leading local band.

But in my opinion, The Wedding DJ’s stole the show. I know they just play remixed 80’s classics, but the entertainment lies with the vibe they create. Spinning slick favourites such as the theme songs from Baywatch and Top Gun, to a surprisingly well received version of a Spice Girls hit – they owned the stage.

Backed by amazing iconic 80’s visuals and dressed in ridiculously tiny shorts and a Thundercat T-Shirt (I want one!), these guys brought the 80’s back like I’ve never seen before.

Catch their next gig in Long Street this Friday.

Popular Afro-fusion group Coda is holding a free concert at Wembley Square tonight at 18:30. Featuring Verity and The Shades, and a 2010 Diski Dance demonstration, makes for a great start to the weekend.

CODA was nominated as one of the South African’s top five new bands in the 2006 Top Billing/Lifestyle Awards, and has been described in the media as the ‘next big thing’ in the South African music industry.

Watch them this weekend:

18 Sept 09
FREE Wembley Square concert featuring Verity and The Shades
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Venue: Wembley Square, Solan Street, Gardens
Contact: Carol@Codamusic.co.za

19 Sept 09
FREE Waterfront Amphitheatre Bandana Day Concert
Time: 2 PM
Cost: Free
Venue: V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Contact: Adi@sunflowerfund.org.za

More information can be found at the Coda Website.