SA: Wonderboom to celebrate 25 years with Joburg show

The High Friends in Places gig will feature local artists including Warren Leicher (Plum), Ross Learmonth (Prime Circle), Paul E Flynn (Sugardrive), Paul Hodgson (Parlotones), Denholm Harding (Just Jinjer), Emile de Jong (The Narrow), Tamara Dey (Flash Republic), Rob McLennan (No Friends of Harry), ShugaSmakx (Skwatta Kamp), Bianca Blanc, Matthew Fink, Waldo Alexander, Adam Howard, Justin Serrao, Tim Parr and Moonga K.

“One of the biggest privileges we have as a longstanding gang of rockers is the beautiful relationships that we make along the way,” Wonderboom said. “We've shared stages and backstage with some of South Africa’s finest musicians.

“With High Friends in Places, we aim to put together a once-in-a-lifetime show that will celebrate our circle of friends. We've been waiting for the right venue to do this and believe Sognage is the perfect space. World-class production for a super special concert.”

The Johannesburg-based band was founded in 1996. The group started off as an underground band called The Eight Legged Groove Machine and changed to The Electric Petal Groove Machine, which opened for Scottish rock band Simple Minds on their South African tour. Not completely happy with the name, the band members changed to Wonderboom in 1997.

Wonderboom has released nine albums and headlined many major South African festivals. It has been nominated for five Best Rock Album awards at the South African Music Awards and won the South African leg of the 2004 Global Battle of the Bands, coming second in the finals at the London Astoria. 

In 2017, the band travelled to Chengdu, China, to represent South Africa at the Silk Road Indie Music Festival music competition and came top.

Tickets to the High Friends in Places concert can be purchased here.