Latest news with #EgoliSymphonicOrchestra
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Jonathan Roxmouth's going Broadway
Jonathan Roxmouth is a performer amongst performers, and his new Broadway-inspired show promises to get audiences of all ages going. He's a performer amongst performers. Jonathan Roxmouth can tickle ivories like few musicians can draw from their instruments. And he's back at the stage where it all began for him almost two decades ago at the Teatro stage at Montecasino, this time with a full orchestra at his command and a show designed to time-travel audiences into comfort and familiarity. Roxmouth has described My Favourite Broadway as more than just another concert. He called it a love letter to the golden age of musicals. 'The whole show is about nostalgia,' Roxmouth said. 'Musical theatre tends to carry a lot of memories for people. They saw that show with their sweetheart, or their kid, or their grandfather took them to see it. It's personal.' But he noted, audiences must not expect just another trip down memory lane. He has upped the ante. 'It's Broadway like they've never heard or seen it before,' he said and added that with a full 32-piece Egoli Symphonic Orchestra on stage, it's going to be a blast. 'Orchestral shows aren't as common here as they should be,' he said. 'To hear the music is one thing. To see it performed by 32 people right in front of you. That's a completely different experience.' Catchy showbiz tunes The connection people have with Broadway music, Roxmouth shared, goes far beyond catchy tunes. 'We all grew up having stories read to us. Musical theatre is just storytelling with music,' he said. 'Songs like Bring Him Home, now who doesn't have a child or a partner they wish they could see again? And Music of the Night, for everyone's wanted to say 'I love you' but didn't know how. These songs become our stories. It's therapy, with amazing music.' And in a world teetering on the edge of chaos, Roxmouth believes theatre is more important than ever. 'I don't like using the word escapism, but right now, it's better than travelling to get away from daily life,' he said. 'Go out. Get your heart warmed instead of just sitting at home in front of a heater. We're lucky in Johannesburg, we've got places like Montecasino, with safe parking, great restaurants, and a show on top of that. It's important to get out and not let the news weigh you down.' ALSO READ: It's lekker, messy creativity and art Theatre is magical. He likened the thrill of live theatre to watching a tightrope walker. 'They could fall. Things could go wrong. That makes it even more exciting when everything goes right,' he said. 'There's no 'pause for a bathroom break' like Netflix. This is happening, live, in front of you.' And for naysayers that doom-preach theatre's inevitable death, well, Roxmouth doesn't buy it. 'Audiences are changing, yes, but the magic of seeing a live human being do something extraordinary right in front of you and that's never going to change.' Extraordinary homecoming This show is a homecoming for Roxmouth, marking his first musical theatre appearance in South Africa since 2017. 'It's been eight years since I performed a musical at home,' he said. 'I've been all over the world, but this is special. I get to come back to the very theatre where it all began for me.' With new glitzy costumes, production surprises, and a setlist that includes both beloved classics and unexpected gems, Roxmouth is pulling out all the stops. 'There are songs audiences will expect and a few they'll never expect from me, but they'll love them anyway,' he said. 'There's a moment at the start of Act Two involving a piano that I've been dreaming about for years. I'm finally doing it.' Despite his extensive globetrotting, from Asia to Europe and then some, Roxmouth said nothing compares to a South African audience. 'South Africans have a lack of restraint when they love something. They let you know, loudly and immediately,' he said. 'That energy, that honesty, it's like nowhere else in the world.' My Favourite Broadway runs for eight shows only at Montecasino's Teatro from 25 July to 3 August 2025. Tickets at Webtickets. NOW READ: Dire Warnings of TV's Handmaid's Tale
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Kelvin Momo captivates audiences at the Red Bull Symphonic with romance and amapiano magic
Kelvin Momo delivered an unforgettable Red Bull Symphonic show with Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. Picture: Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool Image: Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool Kelvin Momo's fans were left more than fulfilled at the Red Bull Symphonic with Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. In its second year, the Red Bull Symphonic was held over three days at the Montecasino Teatro, a bump from last year. Real name Thato Kelvin Ledwaba, music producer and artist Kelvin Momo's top-charting catalogue took center stage as it was brought to life through music conductor Howard and the electrifying Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. With the backing of Red Bull, who cut no corners when it comes to delivering top-notch production, attendees were left mesmerized. Kelvin Momo and Adam Howard are seen during the Red Bull Symphonic in Johannesburg, South Africa. Image: Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Kelvin Momo made a commanding entrance with Howard, with the two of them even embracing each other, a clear sign of a strong bond formed. For his big night, Kelvin Momo was the life of the party, dancing and vibing along to the music and with the crowd. On night one, Kelvin Momo even got emotional as he performed 'Song Cry'. With seven albums under his belt and over 171 songs, choosing the 18-track set list was no small task. Kelvin Momo and Howard however managed to create one that celebrated his musical journey. Each song took attendees down memory lane, to the one they first heard the song or how it impacted them. However, the real moments came when Kelvin Momo's long-time vocal collaborator and long-time girlfriend Babalwa M (Mavuso) took to the stage. Fans were mesmerized as Kelvin Momo and Babalwa M stole the show at Red Bull Symphonic. Picture: Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool Image: Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Kelvin Momo and Adam Howard set to dazzle at the Red Bull Symphonic
Kelvin Momo will headline the 2025 edition of the genre-defying experience, accompanied by none other than Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Media Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Media The Red Bull Symphonic: Kelvin Momo with Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra is days away and excitement and nerves are in the air. Red Bull Symphonic organisers have not announced any changes to the big day and Kelvin Momo has been spotted attending rehearsals. Fans are excited to hear Kelvin Momo's music reimagined with a live orchestra but some are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation to see whether the hit producer will make his performance. Questions regarding the artist's dependability are increasing among his fanbase, particularly concerning his attendance at the Red Bull Symphonic event. In videos shared online, Kelvin Momo has been joining the orchestra during rehearsals with insiders confirming his attendance. This is Red Bull's second year hosting the Symphonic and South Africa and the private piano hitmaker follows in the footsteps of Kabza De Small. He'll be collaborating with Kelvin Momo, the pioneer of 'private school Amapiano.' Known for his smooth, jazz-influenced compositions, Momo's sound offers the perfect canvas for orchestral expansion. 'We've selected songs that tell a story — a journey through Kelvin's catalogue, paying homage to where he started and where he is now,' said Howard. 'His music is rich with harmony, structure, and jazz influences. My job is to enhance that with an orchestral backdrop without losing the soul of what's already there.' 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 ✕ Howard was a part of the first symphonic and even received a standing ovation for his solo performance. 'Last year was an amazing experience. I was the musical director, did all the arrangements, and played in the orchestra. I thought I'd come down and play a solo or two, I didn't expect it to go down so well!' Howard remarks. The response from the audience was electric, with the entire auditorium erupting during his impromptu solo moments. That unexpected enthusiasm helped catapult him to the forefront of this year's show. Having played with the likes of Brothers of Peace, Kalawa Jazmee, Brenda Fassie, and more, Howard is no stranger to the limelight. But what made last year's Red Bull Symphonic with Kabza De Small unique was the way it merged classical orchestration with contemporary sounds, a fusion not commonly seen in traditional orchestras. 'There's never been a time in an orchestra where someone stands up and plays over Amapiano music,' he said, beaming. 'It was a real visual moment, two worlds colliding. 'We encouraged the orchestra to not just play the notes, but to really get into the spirit of the music.' This year, that vision takes an even bolder step forward. Howard has been tasked with curating a bespoke orchestra for the event, reimagining what a symphony orchestra can look and sound like. The Red Bull Symphonic: Kelvin Momo with Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra takes place over three days June 6, 7 and 8 at The Teatro, Montecasino. IOL Entertainment
News24
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Kelvin Momo shares process behind how he names his albums
Have you ever wondered how artists choose the name of their albums? All artists have their own thought processes, and in this video, Kelvin Momo talks News24 through his. Fresh from selling out three shows for the upcoming 2025 Redbull Symphonic, private school amapiano pioneer Kelvin Momo is looking forward to giving the people what they want in June. Sharing some of his the thought process that goes behind how he names his albums, Momo shared some personal stories embedded in the names of his projects. Momo, who will be joined by renowned conductor Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra at Montecasino on 6, 7 and 8 of June has previously told News24 how grateful he is for the opportunity to headline the Redbull Symphonic show. The first Redbull Symphonic in South Africa happened in 2024 with Kabza De Small as the main act.
