Popular Gqeberha band Centrestage will debut their new frontman, Simon Shaw, to East London fans as they return to the Guild Theatre with their Sensational Six show next week.
Shaw, 43, replaces former member Wayne Kallis, who is performing overseas.
A combination of 1980s classics and 2000s stadium favourites, The Sensational Six line-up includes top-notch renditions of songs by Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode and the Talking Heads alongside Coldplay, Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5.
“Embarking on this musical journey with the seasoned ensemble has been an absolute pleasure,” Shaw said.
“Despite my extensive background in solo performances and small two- to three-piece bands, stepping into the realm of a nine-piece band was something entirely different.”
Finding a love for music at a young age, his career has taken him across Africa.
“I started playing guitar after university in the early 2000s, and have done gigs around the Eastern Cape.
“Simon brings a unique and different voice to the show — his voice has a James Blunt roughness about it."
— Gary Hemmings,
“My profession has been flying for a long time and I have played on stages all over Africa.
“I took a one-year sabbatical from my aviation job last year, this turned into a couple of music shows here [Gqeberha] which quickly snowballed into a full-time job in the music and entertainment industry — this keeps me very busy with an average of six shows a week!”
Shaw said being contacted by Centrestage member Gino Fabbri was a pivotal moment.
“I received a Facebook message from Gino seeking my contact information.
“The very next day, I was at a rehearsal, followed by our debut show at the Hellenic Hall for two nights.
“The band played as a prelude to the Oktoberfest in Gqeberha last month to a fantastic audience of over 600 people.
“It was undoubtedly a sink-or-swim scenario, but I could not have asked for a more supportive and talented group of musicians to guide me through the process.
“I now have the privilege of reuniting with them for this special performance and experiencing the spectacular Guild Theatre audience myself, of which I have heard so much.”
Shaw is joined on stage by Fabbri on drums, Ronnie van Jaarsveld on bass, Stephen Hurter on guitar and Khanya Matomela on keys, vocalists Thuba Myeki, Tara-Jane Stern, Cailan van Heerden and Tiffany East.
Centrestage co-creator Gary Hemmings, 55, from Gqeberha, said Shaw had made the role his own.
“We are going to miss Wayne, definitely he was an extraordinary presence.
“Simon brings a unique and different voice to the show — his voice has a James Blunt roughness about it.
“He’s a great musician and very talented so it’s giving the band opportunities to grow.”
Shaw made his debut in Gqeberha in August alongside existing lead Myeki.
“Our second frontman Thuba has come of age incredibly — his standout moment is in Viva La Vida by Coldplay, the whole audience sings that refrain and it’s a magical moment in the show.”
Rehearsals were focused and productive as Shaw was welcomed by the band.
“He’s such a professional, he came to rehearsals completely prepared, he’s got that kind of personality where he is very goal-orientated, he slotted right in,” Hemmings said.
Also new to the group are backup singers East and Van Heerden, who joined in May.
“Tiffany and Cailan have such an incredible vibe, they are two talents to look out for in the future.
“The East London Guild Theatre audience has always been the best to play for, ask any of the band members.
“I’m looking forward to our new members getting to experience this — there is something very special about these shows, there always has been.”
- Centrestage presents The Sensational Six show at the Guild Theatre, Selborne, on Friday November 17 at 7.30pm. Tickets are R150 per person and available through Computicket.
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