The sun had begun to set over Lion’s Head as I made my way up the steep road, eager to begin the night. When I arrived at the venue, sweat dripping down my back, I was left in awe. A small food truck stood in the corner, the two chefs standing outside laughing as they smoked a cigarette. Opposite, there was a merch table set up, with t-shirts hanging down from the branches above the table; it immediately drew me in. Hi Anxious had t-shirts laid out over the table, with small stickers placed all around. The stickers were made to represent tarot cards, colourful illustrations, each with its own feel, that the band name and song titles framed. 

When the first band came on, Nani?!, people slowly started to draw together, crowding in to listen to the music. I could feel the sweat drip down my back as I stared out at the crowd in front of me. With a slower start, the hymn of conversations wove together with the music, the drums carrying the movement in my body. The sun, although disappeared, still lit up the sky behind them, the city and mountains working as a backdrop to the band as they moved in harmony on the stage. 

The sky began to turn from the vibrant blue to a light pink. The city lights slowly turned on below the stage as Hi Anxious walked up. As they started playing, my body naturally fell in rhythm to the music; the silver of my earrings tapped against my neck as I moved my head, the music filling up the space. With each second passing, it was as if I could feel not only the music but also the energy that emanated from the band. As the sky slowly darkened, the energy of the crowd was electric. Zandre’s voice ripped through the space, fitting together perfectly with the music, and it unlocked the energy in the crowd. Tinus, the drummer, was shirtless, sweat soaking his face, as Sarrel, the bassist, jumped off the stage, the music carrying him into the crowd, his head banging as the people around him did the same. Feeling the push and pull of the music. It was as if the music wasn’t just something they created from the use of instruments and their voices, but was rather a sound that came straight from their hearts.

As the music softens and the crowd begins to disperse, I find myself walking towards the bad advice station. There, I am greeted by a friendly face, and the people around me are all in deep conversations. The fire pit that sits to my right is lit up, the flames rise, heat and light filling the small circle of people who stand scattered around. My sister Jessica looks at me with a smile on her face, her voice carrying towards me. I am given the best bad advice: 

“When you go into a mosh pit, remember not to wear a bra.” 

I laugh because this is probably the one piece of bad advice that I will try to avoid following.

As the sky darkens, the city lights shine a golden glow into the sky, Sisters are up. My head moves along to the beat as the smell of chips, covered in mayo and tomato sauce, and the smell of freshly made burgers drift over to us. The two-man band uses a mix of sounds, playing around with the guitar, drums, and even a small DJ board, which is used to add a different layer to their music. The music moves in waves, slowing down and speeding up. As my ears take the sound in, I am transported to the beach, my feet moving gently against the sand as water licks my ankles. Next, I am in the water, the waves crashing around me. The music felt as though it was freeing me. The past that has haunted me and the anger that filled me are slowly released into the music that fills the space around me. When the Sisters‘ set finishes, I am left awe-struck.

My friend Siya and I move through the crowd, making our way over to the food station. Manning the stall, the restaurant manager of Woodstock Brewery, is smiling. He tells us that Tinus is not only the drummer for Hi Anxious, but also the head brewer at Woodstock Brewery. In high praise of him, he tells us that since Tinus has been around, he has brought home many medals and that having him around and helping him out feels like an honour. When talking to Tinus afterwards, he tells me how playing the drums with Hi Anxious and in this environment feels like a release of emotions. He stops thinking, and for 45 minutes, he releases any pent-up energy into the drums, hoping the crowd will resonate and give back the same energy. 

As Mouse makes their way to the stage, I find myself sitting on a bench talking to Zandre. We talk about the true sense of community that events like this bring out. He tells me that growing up in Johannesburg, he saw bands that always needed venues to perform at, and how they would make their own. He tells me that they really want to create a sense of community and give more space to alternative music, and hosting ‘garden parties’ was a good way to start. From the beginning of the 2000s until now, Zandre tells me how many of the venues in Cape Town think of alternative music as an afterthought, moving away from these communities and turning more mainstream. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to be offered, they created their own. Even in all of their merch, we see the way that Hi Anxious has a true aim to uplift artists and to build everyone up. 

The art that is printed on their merch and used as the album cover is all made by Jessica van Zyl. He says that the moment they saw her art, it spoke to them and that it is important for them to focus on local artists. The three band members had the goal in mind that this event was not only about lifting artists but was also about the true values of a good community. Moving into the future, he said that they want to start working with many different artists, bringing together this sense of unity and helping each other out. Art is not only about what is produced, but also how it is produced and how it is used to better the people around you.