Getting me out of the house on a Wednesday night is a feat, but it was one that nightlife collective Pleasure Palace and zine Murder One managed to pull off when I attended their event, Root. The event asked the question, “What happens when a night of visual art is given a soundtrack?” Hosted at Residency in association with the AFC Pretoria, Root brought zines, art, DJs and live music into the same space, creating something that sat somewhere between an exhibition, a party and a creative gathering.
The first thing to note is that the idea for a show like this is ambitious. Successfully merging visuals and audio into a cohesive experience is not always something people get right. Thankfully for its organisers, Root was an exception. Although flawed in places, the event still showed immense potential. Attendees stepped into a fully immersive audio and visual experience.
Residency, a cool space that feels homey but with an edge, was put to effective use, creating two vibes that felt distinct but connected. On one side, a zine-making corner gave attendees the chance to get creative and make their own zine with guidance from a panel of young artists. Alongside it was a great art display, showcasing a wide variety of talent.
The carefully curated, diverse DJ lineup worked as a great soundtrack to this part of the event. The crowd was slow to warm up to it, but that was part of what made it cool: each set brought a different facet of music to the fold, and while they differed, all of it stayed within the realm of ambient.
Newish kids on the block Topia took the stage and broke up the back-to-back DJ sets. The band, one I had been eager to see live after hearing much of their praises, did not entirely live up to the hype. Met with a crowd that was already familiar with them, they delivered a set that shined in moments, thanks to some haunting vocals, but for the most part felt a touch one-dimensional. Perhaps it was just an off day, and a future set may yield a better impression. I will credit the band with playing the only set where I’ve seen someone dabbing to a slow jam.
The main musical attraction of the night was Congolese-Austrian artist Kimyan Law, who brought his heritage to the stage. Playing in South Africa for the first time, he amalgamated his Congolese roots through a variety of European electronic music styles, from drum and bass to UKG and trip-hop, playing a few new tracks from his project Coloria.
The set-up was cool and very trippy, and the combination of the lighting with the interactiveness of Law’s set created an intimate vibe that made it feel like we as the audience were really getting to know him. It ended with a powerful political statement, as Law raised awareness over the ongoing genocide in the Congo.
The Pleasure Palace collective continues to establish itself as a force in the Joburg underground. By putting on events that emphasise inclusion and offer a lens into the unseen parts of the local scene, the collective continues to shift the standard for independent events.
As far as Root itself? It was a great first attempt. While well organised, there were definitely some cracks, but when are there not? I have faith in the concept and its organisers, and hope that it will continue. If anything, Root showed the potential future of Joburg nightlife.
Every once in a while, you arrive at a gig with a few plot holes. There’s no ice, an act falls short, things have a slow start. But if the majority of people in attendance stay engaged, then that’s a win. Especially on a Wednesday. I’m glad that I left the house.
Photography: Pleasure Palace
