Synergy Live 2011 as a festival unfortunately leaves a bit of a strange taste in my mouth. I reckon that both the seasoned festival goer and the new comer walked away from Boschendal a little disappointed at what really should have been an excellent experience.

The music was well worth going for and let’s not forget that, yes, this is the main reason we attend these festivals. A line up that had most music lovers heading for the hills on the weekend of the 25th November, stood up to expectations and delivered.

The LMG stage really turned into a cook-out in hell the first night there with Joburg band, Shadowclub and local artists, The Wild Eyes bringing the enthusiastic crowd to climax in a nifty back to back set. It was after that and up until late the next day when the stages really fired up once again that those attending Synergy found themselves in a weird limbo that failed to submerge us in that euphoric festival feeling.

The tepid trickle, posing as a stream for swimmers, running along the grounds was just as shallow as the overall energy at this festival as you walked through the ravages of Gen Pop (general population camping area) and saw the limp burn victims gagging under the sun trying to find shade and stamina.

Thankfully the music saved Synergy whole heartedly on Saturday, so much so that the freakish assortment of people this festival attracted were easily avoided and one could lose themselves to Tumi and The Volume.

The Great Apes brought sexual aggression to life and once again the LMG stage rocked with their hedonistic passion. Yusif’s flailing moves are akin to the conjuring of Belial during Apes gigs these days.

Many shoe gazing, starry eyed festival goers were waiting for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to grace the smoke filled Main Stage and I felt rather sorry for The Narrow. When the crowd sang ‘B, R, M, C’ along over their songs it must have felt a little rough. BRMC really made my month. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band twice and both times, expectations were exceeded. Their quality of performance, skill and spiritual connection with the audience is unique and utterly memorable.

Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been and Leah Shapiro are a band who creates music that blows your mind and moves your being simultaneously. They delivered what must have been close to a two hour show and there were tears and sweat left in the dust beneath the feet of the audience as they exited the stage.

Overall it was well organised to a degree but Synergy lacks spirit. However, thanks to the organisers for pulling together some great musicians for everyone to enjoy and I’m sure most of us will see you next year.

WORDS: Eliza Day

Images: Adam Kent Weist

For The Other Half of the Review of the Red Bull Music Stage by Rachel Briant – Click Here