This is a story about the healthy way to success. This is a story about The Parlotones, the biggest rock band in South Africa. This is a story whose end is far from written.
2010 could be South Africa's year. The World Cup puts the country, and with it its people and culture, in the public eye. So it's only fitting that this year sees the international release of "Stardust Galaxies", the album that broke boundaries in South Africa in 2009. Gold status after one week, platinum after one month. The Parlotones have long been absolute superstars in their homeland. And with this, the South Africans have proven to have excellent taste. "Stardust Galaxies" brings everything an outstanding rock album needs. A precisely timed band with a feeling for moods that can both drive a song forward and caress it with feeling. A charismatic singer whose voice captivates from the start. Lyrics that address social issues as well as pay homage to the romance of love. Atmospheric pop structures and an intoxicating live presence. And above all, a cornucopia of fantastic songs. Melodies as haunting as they are catchy that make you wonder why you went so long without them. Songs you don't want to miss anymore. Like the self-adhesive stamp. Or a loved one.
Through a very frequently sold out 18-month worldwide tour of 300 shows, The Parlotones have already attracted attention in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, BeNeLux, Russia, USA and the UK - where they filled 1000s of halls through word of mouth alone. In their homeland, the Johannesburg quartet has long been a multi-platinum act, playing at the inauguration of the new president, Live Earth and Africa Day. Their previous album became South Africa's most successful album of the decade, selling more units than Coldplay, Oasis and the Killers combined. Their innovative videos have already won awards galore, and in South Africa you can order your own Gigabyte Parlotones laptop, your own Sony Ericsson mobile phone and a Parlotones menu at KFC.
But the rest of the world has now smelled a rat too: a panel of judges including Robert Smith and Tom Waits named their track "Overexposed" as the double winner of the prestigious American International Song Contest (ISC) Awards. Their shows at SXSW, MIDEM, Canadian Music Week, Dubai Sound City and even One Movement For Music Perth garnered attention around the globe. A secret warm-up gig in London drew nearly double the venue's capacity, after which the band had to make their way onto the stage by climbing over the bar.
The Parlotones have also been able to fulfill their dreams away from music. In late 2009, they unveiled their own wine - tongue-in-cheekly named after one of their number one hits "Giant Mistake". And how could it be otherwise with this band and this namesake: the Sunday Times hoisted it straight to the top of their wine list.
The already beginning World Cup fever has not stopped at The Parlotones: their songs are running on Sky Sports, talkSPORT has chosen them as official World Cup ambassadors for Great Britain and from 22nd April their song "Giant Mistake" will fill the airwaves. April their song "Come back as Heroes" fills the ARD's 2010 World Cup image trailer campaign with life.
MTV Europe has added the video for "Life Design" to its rotation, and on 18 April The Parlotones will perform on the Cape Town Africa stage of the Dow Life Earth Run for Water. In addition, The Parlotones have been selected by FIFA to perform the official opening concert of the World Cup the day before the World Cup begins, along with other African and international stars including Shakira, Angelique Kidjo, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys. This biggest event ever held on African soil will take place on June 10 at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg and will be watched by millions in front of their screens.
It seems like the world is ready for The Parlotones. The Parlotones are definitely ready for the world.
Text source (https://www.eventim.de/the-parlotones-biografie.html?affiliate=TUG&doc=artistPages/biography&fun=artist&action=biography&kuid=228100) and more information about this event: https://zoomfrankfurt.com/event/konzert-the-parlotones20th-anniversary-tour
