Parlotones enthrall EL audience at the Venue

Band gives fans a night to remember with sterling show

THE mood was electric at the Venue@Hemingways on Saturday evening as multi-platinum band The Parlotones rocked East London for one night only.

Music lovers of all ages filled the popular conference hall in anticipation of a great time with the country’s most celebrated rock pop act.

The band was back in town as part of their Here, There, Everywhere Tour, which will see them taking their energy and most loved songs to fans across the country.

The show took off with a huge cheer from the crowd as the band opened with their hit song Life Design from their third album, Stardust Galaxies.

Band member Glen Hodgson gave the crowd the opportunity to sing and dance along to the music. “The first rule – just because there are seats, doesn’t mean you have to sit,” he said.

The crowd was treated to an interactive performance as electro sounds reverberated throughout the venue.

Band members brought different instruments onto the floor, an addition which brought to life different tunes – it was electric.

They had a playful stage presence which saw audience members clapping and singing along to every beat.

Electro sounds stopped for a little while and the hall went quiet, as the band performed an unplugged version of We Were Just Having Fun.

Band frontman Kahn announced that as part of the tour, they were releasing their first-ever book, The Parlotones: The Stories behind the Songs. The book is a collection of stories and pictures of the songs the band has written. The outfit celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018, and the book gives fans a behind-thescenes taste of the band’s journey, experiences and influences over the years they’ve been together.

“There is a story behind every song we’ve ever written, and it’s all captured in the book,” Kahn said.

Fans were on their feet to the very last, still begging for more as the band left the stage.

Friends Tara Drake and Heather Crossley said the band should perform in East London more often.

“They will always have this kind of turnout. I hope to one day experience this with my kids because this is what they are brought up on,” Drake said.

“I’ve always enjoyed them. They have an international sound to South Africans, and a band you can never miss.”

Kahn said: “Thanks to the East London crowd for an awesome time. We loved the vibe and the energy was great. We always enjoy ourselves in that place.” —