Bongo Man entertains online in lockdown
A well-known Scarborough musician and his band have come up with a creative way to keep playing during the coronavirus outbreak. Scarborough’s Bongo Man and his band the Bongomaniacs have been playing online gigs to entertain the town during the pandemic.
Alongside other musicians from the town, Bongo Man, real name Justin Mhaka, and the members of his band each perform a slot every weekend on Facebook while venues are closed.
Every Sunday from 2pm, the members of Bongo Man and the Bongomaniacs take it in turns to play a set on Facebook live.
He said: “We normally do gigs over the weekends in pubs, clubs and festivals but during the lockdown we’re doing it online to try to raise some money for PPE.
“[Performing online] is very strange. I was not on Facebook but I had to join just to do the playing.”
The group play a mixture of reggae and calypso music, primarily covers although they do play original music.
They also play different genres with guest singers.
Mr Mhaka is an A & E consultant for the NHS and has lived in Scarborough for the past 16 years.
He explained that playing music is a way for himself, and the other members of the band, to unwind and destress.
He added: “Music is therapy for everyone. We do hard jobs and it’s a way to relax. We don’t do it for money or anything.”
He said the group are planning to continue the virtual gigs until the venues around town are allowed to open again.
“We’ve got so much material we won’t run out.”
The music can be viewed live every Sunday via the Beerjam Online – C19 NHS Support! Facebook group and the videos remain on the page aftewards.
During the pandemic Bongo Man has also recorded a video, ‘Self Isolation Calypso’, for his YouTube channel.
The song was written by Gerard McDermott and Dave Kemp, who both have connections to Scarborough, and deals with the importance of self-isolating and protecting the NHS.
Gerard said: “It started off as a bit of a joke, a self-isolation blues, then we decided to do it properly.
“I wanted to keep it light and try and get the message out at the same time.”
Also featured on the video, rapping, is actor Don Gilet who is known for appearances on EastEnders and Holby City.
You can watch the Self Isolation Calypso on Bongo Man’s YouTube channel – https:// youtu.be/skEWGHMQE-k