Centrestage - Entertainment Port Elizabeth

CENTRESTAGE SINGING OUT LOUD FOR ED SHEERAN AT OLD GREY

Wayne Kallis steps into the shoes of in-vogue flame-haired singer/songwriter, beatboxer, and guitarist Ed Sheeran next week as Centrestage stages 'Singing Out Loud- A Tribute to Ed Sheeran’ for three nights at Old Grey on 28 and 30 September and 7 October.

The five piece band will recreate Ed Sheeran's eclectic blend of acoustic pop, folk, R & B and hip-hop which has made him the darling of today’s pop world.

Sheeran's 2011 album + (plus) contained the hit singles The A Team and Lego House and was certified 6x Platinum in the UK.

His 2014 album X (multiply), produced in association with Rick Rubin and Pharrel, debuted at number one on both the U.S. and U.K. charts, reaching gold or platinum status in 15 countries, with his singles Sing and Thinking Out Loud both topping the British charts.

In addition to this, he has had 10 UK Top 10 songs, 19 UK Top 40 entries and a further 26 UK Top 75 hits.

Hugo Kleinhans and Megan Du Toit make a welcome return from their year of international travelling to re-join the Centrestage band.

Hugo is a past-master of the looping style which is central to Sheeran’s own solo performances, and Megan joins on keyboard and backing vocals.

Tian Uys first appeared for Centrestage on double bass in their hit show ‘The Mumford Revolution’ and brings his contagious onstage energy back to the fold.

Regular Centrestage drummer Devon Van Rooyen combines his regular drum kit with triggered accompaniment to create the studio sounds on many of the songs.

Some other well known Sheeran songs included will be Don’t, Photograph, I See Fire (theme to The Hobbit), Drunk and Bloodstream to name a few.

The show will not only feature Sheeran’s biggest hits, but also focus on some of his influences and the covers which Sheeran regularly includes in his own live set lists of which he has made his own.

Some of these include The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice, Oasis’s Wonderwall, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, Skinny Love by Bon Iver and No Diggity / Thrift Shop” by Blackstreet / Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Sheeran has been the mastermind behind a myriad of other hits, writing hits for the likes of One Direction and Taylor Swift – and their hit duet Everything has Changed is also included in the lineup.

“It has been great being able to add that personal touch to the songs while trying to play them as close as possible to the recordings” says drummer Devon Van Rooyen. “Ed Sheeran's work is most often done solo so it has allowed us that freedom to change things a bit.”

“It's also wonderful having Megan du Toit and Hugo Kleinhans back. It's always amazing to see Hugo in action recreating the parts and creating all sorts of loops and cool sound effects. This together with Wayne's rhythmic rhyming of Sheeran's lyrics, Megan's always warm and captivating vocals and Tiaan Uys grooving on double bass and electric bass will sure keep the audience entertained”, said Van Rooyen.

“The music is exciting for me because it mixes heart-on-sleeve ballads and folk style storytelling with influences like hip hop and rap, which are far less familiar to me” says musical director and frontman Wayne Kallis.

“Also, I’m glad I didn’t study too hard at school because I need the space in my head for the realms of lyrics he writes for his songs. He is insanely talented. I’m glad he’s a ginger!” joked Kallis.

Shows on Wed 28th, Fri 30th September and Fri 7 October at Old Grey all start at 19h30.

Tickets costing between R110 and R150 can be purchased through Computicket or by calling Wendy on 0826616921

Click here to book at Computicket