November 13, 2003
By Tammy O'Reilly and Bontle Moeng
ROCK has been associated with head banging, blaring drum and bass beats, and over the top antics. But with a sound that is unmistakably spiritual, Live has given birth to a different, somewhat soulful breed of rock.
Fans will be thrilled to discover Live is returning to South Africa, this time for their Birds of Pray Tour. The guitar-based group will rock the Dome at Northgate on Saturday 22 November.
With two more concerts in Durban on Tuesday 25 November and Cape Town on Friday 28 November, the group is bound to put on a performance that will rival its sold out visit to South Africa in 2000.
Lead vocalist Ed Kowalczyk, guitarist Chad Taylor, bass player Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey, have come a long way since performing for the first time together 16 years ago at their school talent show. Six albums later and with sales exceeding 20-million copies worldwide, the band has been propelled into stardom, with hoards of fans and sold out world tours to prove it.
Their success includes two number one albums on the Billboard Top 200, five number one singles and nine Top 10 singles.
With its deep spiritual imagery and powerful vocals Live's second album Throwing Copper heralded the hits, "I Alone", "Iris" and "Lightning Crashes". The band's third album, Secret Samadhi, with its thoughtful verses and hardcore choruses, was released in 1997.
It's tracks, like "Run to the Water", "They stood up for love" and "Dolphins Cry" from the group's highly successful fourth album The Distance to Here, that stand out as trademark songs.
Last year, the group released the hit album, "V" which features "Overcome", the song that evokes the emotions experienced by those affected by the September 11 catastrophe.
Live has just finished up a series of spring festivals across the US and recently toured Europe. During this tour the group linked up with Bon Jovi, Coldplay and Supergrass.
Local rock act Prime Circle will warm up the crowd before Live take to the stage. The band has just released a debut album Hello Crazy World, which has already yielded an unprecedented two number one hits on national radio station 5fm.
Prime Circle, originally from Witbank, has vast experience of the South African music scene. Drummer Gerhard Venter has played alongside bands like Squeal, Sons of Trout and Sugardrive while bassist Marco Gomes and lead guitarist Dirk Boschoff have travelled the length and breadth of the country over the past 12 years, performing at festivals and other music gigs.
"We all believe Prime Circle to be the perfect choice as an opening act for an accomplished and dynamic act such as Live," said David Gresham, CEO of The David Gresham Record Company.
Big Concerts International are bringing Live to South Africa in association with Edgars and 5fm. For more information regarding the concert call Lara at Big Concerts on 082 379 0002 or the Big Concerts information line on 082 233 2342.
Tickets are available from R135 at Computicket outlets and can also be bought online at www.computicket.com.
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