The capital city will play host to the annual Evening of Love concert this Valentine’s Day and the line-up of performers is better than ever. Held at Time Square in Menlyn, Evening of Love is about celebrating love.
One of the stars set to headline the concert is Ntando. Known for his contemporary love songs, the afro-pop singer with a soulful voice said he was excited to be performing at this year’s edition.
“I actually said yes when I was approached because of the line-up. As an artist you want to be able to be associated with certain people and perform alongside other musicians, you want to chill with the big boys, so to speak, and also because the line-up from last year is very different so I had to say yes,” he said.
The concert will include performances by Kelly Khumalo, Vusi Nova, Bekezela, Thami and Samthing Soweto. Ntando said he would be performing some of his favourite songs.
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“One thing I have learnt over time is that people love different things. Some people enjoy my old songs, others enjoy my new music, some want me to perform every song from every album so I will be performing as many songs as I can and I will definitely be doing a few songs from my new album, Mayibuye,” he said.
Ntando said he was a firm believer in love. “I think that love fuels life, it’s such an important part of our everyday life and I am huge believer of it. Sometimes love works out and sometimes it does not, but that does not mean you should give up on love,” he said.
He also admitted that he hardly celebrated Valentine’s Day, but was not opposed to the day and its significance.
“I am always working on Valentines Day, performing somewhere, so I never actually celebrate it. However, if I had the time, I would. It’s a great day to celebrate your loved one – but that does not only have to happen on this day. Love is an everyday celebration. I remember back in school, we would send love letters and buy roses for the people we liked or had a crush on.To do that, I had to save money for weeks. Things have changed now,” he said.
In August last year, Ntando released Mayibuye, an album that took him a year to put together after a four-year break.
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“That album was like a lifesaver for me, so much changed with that album and its actually been amazing since its release. You know, I have been in this for a long time, I have seen people come and go, people rise and fall and there was a time in my career where things were really difficult. I released an album in 2013 and that did terribly – so to have been able to get back in studio and put Mayibuye back and to have to do great, is a blessing,” he said.
He also said that he was back in studio and had already recorded two new songs for his new album.
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“I am very excited to be working on a new album. I don’t want to be in a position I have been in in the past where I have long breaks before releasing new music. With this album, I am trying something new, I am letting other people write the music.
“In the past I have written all my songs. So far I am loving having a collaboration with the music writing,” he said.
The musician said the album would contain realistic stories.
“It’s going to be very different to my previous album, the topics are going to be different.
“It’s great to sing about love and the beautiful aspects of it, but will I still be loved when I am old and grey? Will my partner still want to be with me after we go through troubles? These are the types of things this album will be about,” he said.
Although no release date has been confirmed, Ntando wants it to come out later this year and he will continue promoting Mayibuye.
* Tickets start at R200 and are available at Computicket.