Latest news with #TheLights
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Kesivan Naidoo's 'Love Letter to South African Jazz' at the freedom in sound tour
Kesivan Naidoo and The Lights are celebrating South African jazz and the legacy of democracy in their final concert of the 'Freedom in Sound' tour at the Baxter. Image: Supplied Kesivan Naidoo is a man of precision - whether in the kitchen or behind the drum kit, every note and every ingredient is carefully considered. I recently caught up with him before he headed to South Africa, as he's cooking dinner in his Basel home: salmon trout baked to perfection, accompanied by fancy potatoes and a beurre blanc sauce. 'I'm a nerd,' he laughs, explaining how he follows recipes with the same meticulous attention he applies to his music. His love for cooking, much like his passion for jazz, is deeply rooted in discipline, craftsmanship, and an appreciation for the greats - Escoffier in the kitchen, the jazz masters in his music. Naidoo, now based in Switzerland, usually makes the journey home to South Africa only once a year, but he's looking to change that. This year's return is particularly special. Not only has he debuted a brand-new work at the Journey to Jazz festival in Prince Albert earlier this month, he has taken the Lights and the 'Freedom in Sound' tour across the country and has also started recording a new album. This marks the third album for his celebrated band. The 2025 Lights' set carries a particularly profound weight. As part of this tour performance, Naidoo unveiled an extraordinary piece that seamlessly fuses history with music. The production even features Nelson Mandela's original freedom speech, woven into the composition, a powerful tribute that essentially puts 'Mandela on vocals' - a stirring reminder of how history and music can echo through one another. There's also a deeply personal composition built on a chord progression entrusted to him by the late Bheki Mseleku more than two decades ago. 'This is my love letter to South African jazz,' Naidoo says. 'To its legends, its future, and its spirit. 'Jazz is not just a music genre for South Africans, it's a lifestyle.' Kesivan Naidoo, a Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, and internationally acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader now based in Basel, is joined by a remarkable ensemble. Picture: Louis Botha for PACT Image: Louis Botha for PACT Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
A Moment in Music History: Kesivan and The Lights Record Live at the Baxter
Kesivan Naidoo, a Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year, and internationally acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader now based in Basel, is joined by a remarkable ensemble. Picture: Louis Botha for PACT The 'Freedom in Sound' national tour reaches its historic crescendo in the Mother City on Saturday, May 10, 2025, when Kesivan and The Lights take the stage at the iconic Baxter Concert Hall for one extraordinary night. A performance that will be captured live for the band's upcoming album and documentary, and you're invited to be part of the audience. Celebrating 30 years of South African democracy through jazz, this special concert marks the culmination of a powerful musical journey that began at Journey to Jazz in Prince Albert, swept through Durban and Johannesburg, and now comes home to Cape Town - where many of these jazz brothers first found their voices. But this isn't just another gig. This is an audience experience, where the energy in the room becomes part of the story. It's a rare opportunity to witness the making of a landmark album that honours South Africa's jazz giants - from Bheki Mseleku to Abdullah Ibrahim - while weaving in brand-new compositions and re-imaginings that speak to the present and future of this vibrant genre.
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Andover park plans will open up riverside view hidden by tarmac
A new park will open up riverside views currently hidden by tarmac, a council has Valley Borough Council has unveiled plans for the new green space in the centre of Andover, riverside park at Western Avenue will open up new views of the River have been asked to comment on the plans, which also include changing the road layout. The proposals aim to create a "seamless connection" to the western side of the town, the river, Town Mills park and new theatre The Lights, which is relocating to the former Poundstretcher store in the town leader Phil North said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved in these projects as we share draft plans and designs with residents, following a huge amount of hard work behind the scenes."The people of Andover told us that they wanted us to make more of the river, as it is such a wonderful asset that is largely hidden from view."He said town centres were changing and "fast becoming places for leisure and living as well as just retail"."The opportunity to create more green space for people to relax, play and socialise, while remaining connected to the heart of the town, gives us the chance to create something truly special that will breathe new life into Andover," said Mr project is being part-funded with £18.3m government regeneration funding. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
