Once Upon A Time in Joburg – Xavier Omar

I’m so down for you… I’m so down for you baby…

Five days later, and I’m still riding the wave of joy and euphoria from one of the most enchanting performance to date. The crowd, the open field, the OOTD (outfit of the day), Simmy and most notably, Xavier Omar’s voice and stage presence. Join me as I recount when the magical journey that began.

Ticket Drop

On the 8th December, someone asked him to come to South Africa and he dropped a subtle hint that 2024 might just be the year. Since then, I’ve been closely following his social media updates. Then, on the 24th of January, during one of my random scrolls, the French for New account (the promoters) made a thrilling announcement: “We are excited to announce that Xavier Omar will be coming to South Africa.” The confirmation came directly from Xavier Omar himself as he quoted the post saying “it’s time”.

At 12 noon on Friday, 26 January, I found myself eagerly in front of my laptop, awaiting the drop of the first batch of tickets. Without hesitation, I secured two tickets, the second ticket was for whoever spoke to me close to the concert. Whether it was a hello or someone who checks up on me, I had to idea who I was going with but I knew I was going to see Xavier Omar live. From that moment forward, Xavier Omar’s melodies became the soundtrack of my days, with “Deep End” holding a special place as my favorite. Even Baby was subjected to listening to his music from that day until the date of the concert.

The build up – Xavier Omar’s Interaction with the audience

Xavier Omar orchestrated a beautiful lead-up to the concert by engaging with South Africans in a loving way. He immersed himself in the local lingo, responding warmly to song requests from fans. While some requests were met with enthusiasm, others were playful banter and humorous explanations for not including certain songs in his performance. My favourite was when a fan affectionately called him “Chomi” and “Mfwethu,” to which he played along with charm and grace. It was a testament to Xavier’s genuine connection with the audience, creating a heartwarming and memorable experience even before stepping onto the stage.

It’s Time…

2 March 2024 – the highly anticipated day has finally arrived. The morning greeted us with intense heat, Baby even insisted I wear shorts. I managed to persuade my sister to join the shorts crew, and as we approached the venue, it was a sea of summer outfits – everyone embracing the scorching weather.

Some chose the shade under the trees, enjoying the opening acts, while others sought refuge under umbrellas in the beer garden. It was a day tailored for sunshine and joy. However, out of the blue, clouds gathered, and what we initially thought was a passing drizzle turned into a heavy downpour. I was so grateful we opted to drive; we sprinted for cover, realizing our umbrellas wouldn’t have stood a chance.

As we huddled under shelter, we witnessed a procession of cars making a quick exit. Amidst the raindrops, we found solace in laughter, catching up, and sharing amusing anecdotes about the unexpected turn of weather and food we were served…

The Food

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a variety of food stalls, most of which had long lines. We opted for one with a shorter queue that also offered vegetarian and vegan options, we decided to be adventurous and try the beetroot and moroho burger. A dose of iron for the day, right?

As we received our food, rain began to fall, almost like a warning from God for what we’re about to witness. Excitement quickly turned to disappointment when we opened the bun to find a sparse piece of beetroot, moroho, one slice of tomato, one slice of cucumber, and a few red onion rings. Literally. The letdown was real, I have never felt so let down by a burger. Sgudis Nice, when I catch you?

My sister wanted to stand in another cue for food, but we opted to ditch food and focus on having a good time. Simmy was on stage.

Simmy

Someone called her a real life fairy. And that she is. What a gorgeous, gorgeous woman. She wore a two-piece ensemble paired with silver boots, topped with a voluminous afro that added to her enchanting presence. Her infectious smile lit up the atmosphere as she took us on a musical journey, serenading us with favorites spanning from her debut album to the latest masterpiece, “Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars.”

Personally immersed in every song, I sang along from the beginning of Emakhaya to the soulful melodies of We Were Here, the rhythmic beats of Sonini, and the emotional resonance of Higher and Higher. The guitarist was a beautiful addition to her set.

And then it was time…

The Man Of The Moment

Following the quickest stage change, the atmosphere transformed as smoke enveloped the stage, unveiling the much-anticipated presence of Xavier Omar. He looked exactly how I imagined he would – dressed in all black, his dreadlocks neatly tied, sporting a durag, and his unmistakable signature glasses, which miraculously stayed in place throughout the performance.

I appreciated how he knows that “Deep End” is a crowd favourite and he didn’t make us wait until the end to experience the song live. It was clear he recognized the song’s popularity, he even shared a video of us screaming and singing along. The magic unfolded as he allowed us to initiate the first line, seamlessly blending our voices with his own as the song went along.

In addition to the crowd-pleaser “Deep End,” the concert featured an array of soulful performances, including “So Much More,” “Afraid,” “If This Is Love,” and my personal second favorite, “Blind Man.” Xavier Omar, not only a musical maestro but also a heartfelt speaker, he took a pause to share words of encouragement. He urged everyone to continue praying, emphasizing that whatever they’re praying for will manifest in due time.

He also expressed his genuine gratitude, and revealed that this was his inaugural headlining show, expressing joy that the audience endured the rain and stayed to be a part of this significant milestone.

What was initially planned as a 45-minute set turned into a captivating hour, thanks to the collective request of the audience, urging the organizer for an extended performance. The time swiftly passed, creating a memorable experience that left everyone yearning for more.

A special shoutout to “Once Upon a Time In Joburg” for orchestrating a fantastic event. Looking forward to witnessing more incredible acts in the future. A friendly piece of advice for future events: consider making provisions for all weather conditions, as a hot day can unexpectedly transform into a rainy one. And please make sure your food vendors are legit, that vegetarian meal was beyond terrible.

Otherwise… Here’s to more phenomenal performances, in 2024!