THE PARLOTONES

The Parlotones will make a welcome return to The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway on October 27 and 28 when they headline the Powerzone Unplugged Festival, featuring UK band Starsailor and local outfit Wonderboom.

After rave reviews for their previous sold-out concerts at the popular mall venue this year, The Parlotones are back to offer audiences a bigger and better night out as part of the festival. In the first true UK/SA artist exchange, The Parlotones will be the special guests on Starsailor’s UK tour in early 2009, where the platinum selling British act will highlight our talented lads to their fans. Kahn and his fellow ‘Parlotonians’ have reciprocated, and our own platinum selling local boys will be introducing South African fans to the incredible sounds of Starsailor.

The Parlotones has a Best Rock Album SAMA (South African Music Award) on their mantelpiece and is currently riding the crest of a seemingly endless wave, having signed international label, agency and PR deals. The international deals signed last year were with Universal Records, artist agency Primary (who represent The Cure and Gwen Stefani) and PR company Lander PR (responsible for Leanne Rimes, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera). The Parlotones have been splitting their time between South African and England, continuing to perform to packed houses locally and abroad.

Barnyard patrons can expect to hear the Parlotones hit songs including Beautiful, Astronauts & Dragonflies, Funny Face, Giant Mistake, and the 80s advert anthem Here Comes A Man, and their current hit I’ll Be There in their unplugged show at the venue. The group consists of Kahn Morbee on vocals and guitar, Neil Pauw on drums, Paul Hodgson on guitar and Glen Hodgson on bass, piano and backing vocals.

Starsailor’s first album sold more than a million copies in the UK, and they had success so early in their career that the band (who are only in their mid-twenties) are often described by the British press as veterans. The fourth Starsailor album is due for release in 2009.

Well established South African band Wonderboom will complete the hat-trick of bands. They have released seven albums, have headlined every festival and have also won various awards. Audiences can expect to hear their recent hits such as Great To Be Alive and Best Side off their latest album, City of Gold, as well as previous successes like She Cries, Green Fever, Something Wrong, Never Ever and their hit covers of Charlie, Shadows and Africa off their Rewind album.

The Powerzone Unplugged Festival has been launched by Sovereign Entertainment to mark a decade of the Powerzone website. Powerzone is South Africa’s leading online music information portal and industry resource, and has a proud tradition of being involved in the development of some of South Africa’s best rock acts, including The Parlotones, Wonderboom, CrashCarBurn, Prime Circle, Perez and The Finkelstiens.

The Unplugged Festival will be touring The Barnyard Theatre circuit in October, starting in Pretoria and finishing at the Gateway venue with the final two performances in the 20-show line-up.

Tickets R250 and seating will be as for normal shows, with no standing room. Phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045 for bookings or e-mail gateway@barnayrdtheatre.co.za for enquiries and further details.