09.-12.05.2013, Afrika Overtuere 2013, Schloss Fridau, Obergrafendorf

The rain brought with it, an absence of people, such a wonderful location and not many people turned out. I suppose I could say it had a lot to do with the weather.

Kulturverein Schloss Fridau hosted their annual festival this year. Hotwater, Angélique Kidjo, Ghettoman and the Believers and Gospel from Vienna were on the line up.

Africanlife had the privilege of interviewing Hotwater as well as seeing Angélique Kidjo perform at the festival. Seeing the Grammy Award winning  Angélique Kidjo perform was wonderful. Felt as if the audience was treated to a private show. The few who had come to see her perform really seemed to have had fun. Regardless of the turn out, I enjoyed every moment of it.

Hotwater

Hot Water’s music incorporates elements of traditional South African music (such as township jive, kwela, maskanda, mbaqanga, sakkie-sakkie, ghoema,and kwasa kwasa) with folk, blues and indie-pop rock. 

Southern African music has a natural instinct for celebration and Hot Water’s live performances have a magical way of spontaneously warming any event.

Angélique Kidjo

This Grammy Award winning inspiring artist has also dedicated her time as an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and has been named one of the 50 African icons by BBC. Angélique Kidjo's renowned experience over the years has not only afforded her to grown and international audience throughout the world but also give back to those in her country.

Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles; as well as her childhood idols Bella Bellow, James Brown, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miriam Makeba and Carlos Santana. She has recordedGeorge Gershwin's "Summertime", Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" and The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter", and has collaborated withDave Matthews and the Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Price, Alicia Keys, Branford Marsalis, Robbie Nevil, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Carlos Santana, John Legend, Herbie Hancock and Cassandra Wilson. Kidjo's hits include the songs "Agolo", "We We", "Adouma", "Wombo Lombo", "Afirika", "Batonga", and her version of "Malaika".

Kidjo is fluent in Fon, French, Yorùbá and English, and sings in all four languages; she also has her own personal language, which includes words that serve as song titles such as "Batonga". "Malaika" is a song sung in the Swahili language. Kidjo often utilizes Benin's traditional Zilin vocal technique and jazz vocalese. She now resides in New York City, New York, United States.

Thank you to Kulturverein Schloss Fridau for affording Africanlife the opportunity.

Photos Hot Water Soundcheck & Backstage, the show got canceled because of too much rain, Afrika Overtüre Impressions

Interview Hot Water

Photos Angélique Kidjo

Videos Kidjo