Award-winning, Durban-based band Gangs Of Ballet will be performing material off their yet-to-be-released new album, along with their hits, at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway on Friday, 26 June.
Five times SAMA nominated, MTV MAMA award-winning band, Gangs Of Ballet, is Durban-based and comprises of three musicians and friends – Brad Klynsmith (vocals / electric guitar), Jonathan Rich (keyboard / synth), and Josh Klynsmith (drums / vocals). Each accomplished musicians in their own right, the band’s members have combined their various individual tastes and styles to create a sound that is captivatingly fresh.
Their music, which boasts a winning combination of their vibrant energy and a host of musically intriguing melodies, cannot be pinned down to any specific genre but rather experiments with an eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, electronic and dance. In any context, Gangs Of Ballet’s audiences are encouraged to experience the band’s music in ways that are dually intuitive and physical as their music seeks to stimulate the musically-minded while also providing those merely seeking a good time with a good reason to dance.
Their debut single, Breaking The Silence, was released in September 2011 and by early November it had entered into the 5fm Top 40 chart. The single thereafter continued to climb its way up the chart and after just ten weeks on the chart, Breaking The Silence entered the New Year at 7thplace and secured a spot on 5fm’s list of the Top 100 Hottest Hits of 2011. It was also chosen as the soundtrack for Cell C’s ‘Be’ campaign, which were featured on SA TV and radio stations nationwide.
Gangs Of Ballet released their debut self-titled EP in March 2012. This Love followed as second single to hit the airwaves from these Durbanites, which also reached number 7 on the 5fm Top 40 chart. The band was asked to open for Switchfoot at the Johannesburg leg of their South African tour in August 2012, and was chosen as the direct support for Civil Twilight on their nationwide SA tour in December 2012.
With the release of the third single Hello Sweet World from their EP, Gangs Of Ballet put all doubts with regards to the band as leaders on the forefront of the South African music scene to rest when the single was received with critical acclaim from fans and music critics alike. The single was play listed nationwide on national, regional and campus radio stations and reached number 1 on the 5fm Top 40 chart, as well as the Top 10 of Highveld Stereo’s Top 40. Hello Sweet World went on to become the theme song VH1 USA’s hit TV series – Rehab with Dr Dre. The music video for the single was subsequently play listed on VH1 and went on to receive a SAMA nomination in 2013 for Best Music Video. Gangs Of Ballet also won the MK Award 2013 for Best Newcomer.
Gangs Of Ballet released the first single from their upcoming album in July 2013. The single, named Daydream, had its first exclusive play in 5fm whilst the video premiered on MTV’s The New Sh*t show. The music video for Daydream also soon followed suit and was released at the end of July.
In August 2013, the band released their much anticipated debut album, ‘yes/no/grey.’, through Universal Music South Africa to raving fans and music critics alike. Within 12 hours of its release, the album went straight to number 1 on the iTunes Top 10 SA Album Charts, and the album was also nominated for a MK Award 2014 for Best Album. Gangs Of Ballet released the second single off the album, Don’t Let Me Go, to radio nationwide in October 2013 and its music video in December. The single reached number two on 5fm’s Top 40, number one on the MTV ZA charts, and the Top 10 on all major stations across the country. Their next single and its fan-made music video, House and Money, was released in April 2014 – the song reached the Top 5 on 5FM, Highveld / KFM and AlgoaFM.
In June 2014, Gangs Of Ballet won the MTV MAMA Award for Best Alternative for ‘yes/no/grey’. In October 2014, the band released a brand new single, Love Is On Its Way. In February 2015, the band announced the departure of bassist Hardus de Beer from the band to focus on his career as a chiropractor, and that the band will continue to play as a three-piece in the future. The new-look band is currently working on their new album, set for release soon.
Audiences can expect to hear all these hits as well as some new material for the new album when they perform at The Barnyard, which has established itself as a hugely popular live-music venue with many of South Africa’s top bands and performers. Part of the appeal of The Barnyard Theatre for live music is that it is an intimate venue with great sound and lighting. It also offers a laid-back environment where patrons are able to enjoy food and drinks before and during the show seated at tables and counters, especially making use of the weekend performances. Audience members can also meet the band in the bar after the show to buy paraphernalia and get autographs.
Tickets are R130 per person, and seating will be as for normal shows, with no standing room. For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 – 566 3045 or visit www.barnyard.durban. For further information e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visitwww.facebook.com/gatewaybarnyard.