“Does this really count as work?” Charlie said, popping the cork on the bottle of bubbly. The sun was now blazing and the view of the ocean was obscured by the sun reflecting off of its mirrored surface.

“Yeah…I guess it does” I replied, leaning forward to grab a flute, slowly filling it with liquid gold.

We looked over the ocean from Somerset West while chilling on the patio, knowing that this was it. This is what life is about. The lazy days in the sun, friends, food and fine drinks.

We were cruising about Somerset West, just outside of Cape Town, but we were still living the excess lifestyle.

“Thanks, I’ll have another if you are offering”

Motoring up Sir Lowry’s pass with the city lights on our right hand side, I wondered what it would be like to live out of the hustle of the city. I did not have to wonder too long as I was about to find out as we headed over the pass into a scene out of a movie. Taking a left turn into the Paul Cluver wine estate we were met at the gate by staff with the list of names.

“Lloyd, Sean Lloyd” I said, thinking I was Sean Connery or something.

“Say your prayers little one, don’t forget my son, to include everyone” He said.

What? Is this the right place? Thousands of neurons firing in my brain. Why have we been sent here? Wait…didn’t we get sent here to cover a concert? Why the weird welcome?

“Thank you sir you can go through, do you know how to get to the amphitheatre?” The guy standing at the gate said.

“Uh yeah I think I do thanks very much”

“Sleep with one eye open, gripping your pillow tight”

Oh it was not the guy at the gate speaking earlier, it was Metallica playing on the CD. I think I’m losing the last of my mind.

We were somewhere just outside of Cape Town and the feeling was isolated and serene. No taxis, no people, no noise.

The car struggled for traction on the dirt road, and the scene in the rear view mirror was one of road debauchery as vicious clouds of dust were kicked up in this rustic setting. I looked around and saw the crowds arriving, thinking that this must be the right area of the wine estate for the concert. The car rolled into a long patch of grass and the ignition was shut. I tenderly exited through the passenger door and thought to myself

“Good grief, why have we NOT been here before?”

I heard a voice in the background “Hey rookie, will you just grab my phone” I heard this, but it did not register. I stared across to my right, noticing the silhouette of the trees, the people walking down the path to the amphitheatre and the outline of a house of sorts. Moving visuals of life of yesteryear, where everything was calm and life was lived at a slow pace, devoid of the excesses of our current life.

We entered the amphitheatre, surrounded by high trees and a setting sun while parents drank wine and kids ran around carefree as though the world was theirs for the taking.

We were here to experience the smooth sounds of CODA, who I must be honest, I had never heard before.

I sat there, watching, waiting, looking, writing notes and taking it all in. The fresh air, the sounds of nature and none of those of unnatural sounds such as cars and the city noise. The peace of a natural setting like this is somewhat unnerving having lived the excess life for so long. But hey…A change is as good as holiday.

We sat down on our chosen perch and waited for the band to arrive.

I looked around trying to gather as much as I could. Fallen leaves had dried up to form a soft covering over the earth, comfortable enough to walk barefoot on. The connection of glass on glass was heard as people toasted to having arrived in this summer wonderland. There was no tension here, just happiness as friends and family gathered in the name of fun. A small table was selling wine behind the seating area. Perfect.

The sun was setting as the cool summer air washed over us, and the trees viewed proceedings as some sort of guardians of nature. Out here in the forest, we had all gathered to see one of South Africa’s most exciting new groups, CODA.

Not being a music critic, I decided that I would collect what I thought I enjoyed of the show. The music is very African and soothing, with the sounds of the cello and violin permeating the natural setting. Vocals as sexy as Yolandas are something to behold, and had me totally relaxed and at ease after a week of not much sleep! The perfect Saturday evening was upon me, and all I could do was take it all in.

CODA live at the Paul Cluver forest amphitheatre

The setting of the Paul Cluver wine estate goes a long way to creating the sort of atmosphere that CODA’s music inevitably produces. The vibe is almost zen like, as you find yourself drifting off and forgetting about everything else that seemingly matters in the city life.

At the half time break we walked up towards the area of the rustic farm house I had seen earlier. The band were standing around chatting and we asked for a photo with them which they gladly allowed us to take.

Kicking it with CODA

The set was about two hours long, but it seemed as though time had literally passed by in a flash as we were onto the last song, leaving me wanting more.

We saddled up in the car, and made our way back along the farm road, the car cutting a figure in the ambient night light, as quietness descended upon the venue. Well it was quietness in my mind anyway. I was totally relaxed and happy we had made the journey out to Paul Cluver to experience CODA for the very first time. It was the first time seeing them, but definitely not the last.

Sidling down Sir Lowry’s pass we could once again see the visuals of the city life. Street lights, cars, a maze of roads and more excess.

We rolled into the driveway, hopped out the car with excitement and once again took our seat on the patio.

I settled into my perch, now looking in the same direction as I was earlier. The blinding sunlight had now been replaced by the city lights, probably powered by burning coal which is unsettling in this day of awareness of global warming.

At least for a few hours on Saturday we were away from it, as CODA transported us to another world.

“Did that really count as work?” Charlie said as he removed the cork from a bottle of white wine.

“Yeah…I guess it did” I said as I leaned forward to fill my glass…

Sean Lloyd

Editor

Links to visit:

CODA

Paul Cluver

And click HERE for the schedule of concerts taking place at the Paul Cluver forest amphitheatre, I highly recommend it.