Jim Beam’s Welcome Sessions at Sowaar Bar Featuring Year Of Dogs, Shortstraw and BCUC
Reviewed By Barry Viljoen
Photography courtesy of Jim Beam
On the 11th June Sowaar Bar in Pretoria was set to play host to the Jim Beam’s Welcome Sessions. Known for putting together unlikely pairings of acts. This night would be no exception with a pairing of Shortstraw and BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), with Year of Dogs, sliding in as a late edition to the line-up.
Sowaar Bar is fast becoming one of the premium live music venues in Pretoria, which is no mean feat, considering that the capital has been known for many years now as “Rock City”, because of the large turnouts for live music and the unusually large number of bands in the city.
On what was to be one of the many cold nights, we’ve had as a result of what feels like a never-ending barrage of cold fronts, the crowd was far from deterred. The music was just the warmth, which we were all looking for, with Year of Dogs being that starter that you never knew and made your life feel complete. They are an Indie band from Cape Town, who I must admit I’d never heard of before this night, they gave us some fast paced and upbeat music which had everyone on their feet. They certainly won a fan in me.
Then it was time for Shortstraw, they were about as fresh and energetic as they were when they broke out onto the scene about a decade ago. Also considering that this was their second gig of the day, after having played at Emmarentia earlier that afternoon at “Large on The Lawn”, their endurance and vibrance is nothing short of legendary. They played a good mix of the music which we have loved for the last few years and some new material off their newest release “Fine, thanks and you?”
Then it was time for BCUC to take to the stage and turn up the energy from a 10 to a 12, so much so that we even saw sound engineer Jaco Naude, sharing a livestream stating how he can’t help but get emotional when watching BCUC take the stage, set to full screen of a crowd bouncing in front of them. A show that is nothing short of hyperactivity with pulsating percussion, it’s not hard to understand their success locally and abroad.
After a great night out in the capital city. I’m excited to see what the next combination will be and what will be instore for us.
Be Sure to keep an eye on the Jim Beam Website for further updates on when Jim Beam Welcome Sessions will be appearing at a venue near you
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