As far as Howzit-HongKong.com is concerned, broadcast-wise here in Hong Kong we were shut out from the festivities that happened at the Orlando Stadium the day before the World Cup started.
For those who don’t know, the Orlando Stadium in Soweto is the very same stadium that hosted 2 very successful Super 14 rugby games a week or two before.
The 2010 World Cup Kick-off Concert took place at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday June 10, 2010 and featured an array of South African, Africa and international artists like:
Alicia Keys, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, John Legend, K’Naan, Shakira, Soweto Gospel Choir, The Parlotones and others.
If you’re anything like us here at Howzit-Hong Kong.com HQ, you’re absolutely starving for video footage from that concert. If so, then you own us a very big BAIE DANKIE because we found a whole host of video clips, on the internet nogal (where else)!
While that official site does not allow us to embed any of the clips here, we did manage to find this one of Shakira & our very own Freshlyground performing the official song: Waka Waka:
(There’s no truth in the “rumor” that it’s a Muslim song about a Cape Town girl called Amina. The lyrics “Amina, Mina, eh, eh, Waka Waka eh eh…” has no reference whatsoever to all the Aminas walking around in the Mother City. OK… I made that one up! Sorrie)
You can find the Amina Waka Waka song and many other clips from the 2010 World Cup Kick-off Concert by clicking here.
News24 today reported that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will kick off with a huge music concert featuring both local and international musicians.
Control Room, the world’s leading producer of global music events, and FIFA have announced the first group of musicians confirmed to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kickoff Celebration Concert.
Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré, and Vusi Mahlasela will perform at the historic event taking place the night before the first match at 8pm local time on June 10 at the newly-renovated Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
“We in South Africa are blessed to be hosting two first-time events,” said Lucas Radebe, former South African football international and participant in the Kick-off Concert. “The first FIFA World Cup held on the African continent and the first FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration concert.”
“I believe these historic events will go a long way towards uniting the people of our rainbow nation in South Africa as well as further strengthening our relationships with our brothers and sisters on the African continent.”
“After all, this is an African World Cup being staged in South Africa. Music and sports are the lifeblood of African culture, so to combine those in this historic event will be a true celebration of African Culture.”
FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke added: “We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent (to) raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration.”
Executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room, in partnership with local promoter Showtime Entertainment, the event will feature musical performances by major international superstars and popular African artists collaborating with one another.
There will also be special appearances by past and present football legends with all proceeds to benefit “20 Centres for 2010″, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Billed as the greatest entertainment event to date on the African continent, the event will be televised to millions worldwide.
Music fans around the world can purchase tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert online at www.computicket.com or via phone on (27) 083 915 8000. Concert tickets are priced at R450 (Outer Circle standing), R650 (Inner Circle standing), R850 & R950 (Upper Level seated), R1150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket Charges and Park and Ride for all ticket holders.
On a personal note, The Parlotones is one of Howzit-HongKong’s favourite local outfits and thoroughly deserve their place on the world stage. While we adore Laurika Rauch (and even Koos Kombuis’) version of Lisa se Klavier, we love what the guys have done with this Afrikaans classic. Here is one of our favourite Parlotones tunes:
Cheers to my good friend Mark Anderson who introduced me to Afrikaans music (and Meyers Rum) way back in Taiwan. I still have your signed copy of Laurika Rauch’s CD. 谢谢 Xie Xie Ni Mark.
