Multi-platinum Scottish pop-rockers Deacon Blue could not have asked for a better evening or venue for the first leg of their very first South African tour, as they lit up Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on a magical Cape Town evening, delighting fans – young and old – with their greatest hits and a few new ones, on Thursday night.
These Glaswegian hit-makers arrived at just the right time, after a torrid week for Cape Town due to a literal big stink caused by the mass Kuwaiti cattle carrier. And when they took to the stage it felt like a breath of fresh air, lifting all of our spirits amid stunning weather which saw a soft sunset, brilliant moon rise, and virtually no wind!
Kirstenbosch was packed to capacity, with about 5000 fans dancing, singing, sharing and laughing together, as well-loved songs like Real Gone Kid, Chocolate Girl, Loaded, Your Town, Wages Day, and of course, Dignity, filled the air to mellifluous effect.
One can be forgiven for forgetting just how many hits this band has produced over the years, with its infectious hooks and sing-along choruses, all brought together in a cocktail of rock, pop, jazz, blues, Celtic soul, and folk music.
Towards the end of the evening, vocalist Ricky Ross recounted how the band had always wanted to come to South Africa, and how they were moved by the events of 1994, when South Africa’s hard fought democracy was finally realised. While our country was trying to reconcile, that same year the band decided to split up; thankfully reuniting in 1999.
The group then launched into a thoughtful rendition of their stunning new single off their acoustic album, Peace Will Come.
The evening would not have been complete without the band performing their beloved hit Dignity, which was recently named Scotland’s Greatest Song in a public vote.
All in all, everyone had a wonderful time, and if Thursday night is anything to go by, those attending the Johannesburg concert on Saturday night are in for a treat!
For ticket details click HERE.
.@KirstenboschNBG, Cape Town
22.02.24
Next stop: Johannesburg, South Africa #deaconblue #deaconbluecapetown #kirstenboschgardens pic.twitter.com/SBo7DSv2Ws
— Deacon Blue (@deaconbluemusic) February 22, 2024
