There were lots of good reasons to hang out at Wilson's Wharf on Sunday evening. The full moon was spectacular over the bay, our winter weather so mild and the regular month-end Zackattack, organised by the Fataar family, offered a tempting programme of rocking delights. Not unexpectedly, this gig attracts a mixed band of delightfully eccentric locals who take up the front row seats and settle in for the long haul; the rest of the folk are there to eat, drink and be noisy.
First up was a duo, Ryan and Mo; Ryan sings and plays jazzy guitar with lots of interesting chords, and Mo plays bass. The sound levels were not great and the guitar sounded tinny - I thought this kind of set would work better in a smaller, intimate atmosphere.
After that the Fataar family got grooving. With famous dad Steve on guitar and backing vocals, Dane on beat-box and the two lovely sisters, Tara and Camilla on vocals, they have become an iconic Durban fixture. But one of the reasons I wanted to be there was because Tara will be leaving her home town and moving to Cape Town shortly, and this gig was by way of a fond farewell.
Tara Fataar, singer, pianist, songwriter and entrepreneur, has been a key player on the Durban music scene, injecting it with new energy and enthusiasm and seeking out all sorts of interesting venues for the family band (formally known as Avatar) to perform.
As with the other members of this talented family, music flows so naturally with her that it seems effortless. Although she will be back in Durban for gigs on a regular basis, the town will miss her.
Shomon took the stage after Avatar. It was the first time I had heard her and I was greatly impressed. She is a beautiful woman, highly individual, with a warm aura and a wonderful voice. But there's a cool, sharp edge to her work that I enjoyed; it's never schmaltzy.
She will be performing at St Clements in Musgrave on Saturday evening; I wouldn't miss the opportunity to get to know her work better.
New Hysteria is a trio of talented teenagers who take their music very seriously. They delivered a set of original rock numbers and finished off with Dire Straits and Jimi Hendrix - talk about setting the standard high. Impressive maturity and gutsy delivery.
The evening closed with a flourish with a duo from the Jack Mantis Band featuring Mantis on guitar and vocals and his regular bass player Dominico Benigno on keyboards. Known as "the gypsy rockers", these guys are steeped in musicality and are a pleasure to listen to.
While their regular gigs are big stage festivals (they are on the White Mountain Festival line-up), they were happily at ease with a pared-down set and hopped on and off stage to jam with the other groups - Benigno adding a particularly poignant accordion to Shomon's set. I had a great time.
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By Gisele Turner
