It’s 4 pm on a Sunday afternoon. You’ve eaten post-church Sunday lunch, your bags are packed for the new school week, and you’re waiting for the 8 pm blockbuster movie on M-Net. As you flip through the channels, you watch as your dad turns on the radio, and you hear the first notes of So Into You. All of a sudden, you’re at peace. You don’t yet know it, but this song will always feel like home and this past Sunday night, Tamia welcomed us home by taking us on a trip down memory lane.
A Sunday Evening For Lovers
When it comes to the Sunday is For Lovers soundtrack, you can put Tamia‘s face on the cover. As such, getting the opportunity to watch her live on a cold Sunday night felt so poetic. Arriving at the Sunbet Arena for the songstress’s second show in Pretoria, I met a long, but moving, queue to enter the arena.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the refreshments queues that moved much slower. I assume that concert-goers were attempting to get their bearings after being asked to pay R50 for a bucket of popcorn and R70 for Smarties. Due to the long queues, I missed DJ Kitchen Mess on the decks, with the artist blasting some throwback jams to get us in the mood for Tamia’s set.
By the time I managed to get to my seat, Tamia’s opening act, the talented Llyosi was halfway through his set. I’ll admit that I’ve heard about the South African R&B crooner before, but I’m not familiar with any of his songs. That said, Tamia couldn’t have picked a better opening act as Llyosi’s talent matches his stage presence, and he’s got plenty of stage presence.
Tamia Serenades Sunday Lovers
Eventually, my childhood Sunday memories came to fruition as the 47-year-old Grammy nominee took the stage. Tamia looked beautiful and refreshed in a pair of jean shorts and a metallic and sheer long-sleeved top.
Throughout the night, for an hour and a half, the mic was on. Tamia performed her greatest hits that went double-platinum in our homes, particularly on those Saturdays where we had to clean the house from top to bottom. From Still to Rain On Me, there was not a dry tear in the arena or an empty throat as Tamia encouraged us to belt along to every tune (sadly we couldn’t hold a note as well as her, but it’s the thought that counts).
Towards the end, my heart almost shattered into pieces because she hadn’t performed my favourite songs. Yet, that was remedied when she came back on stage after implying that she was done, before belting into Who Do You Tell and This Time It’s Love.
A lovers concert
All in all, I enjoyed the show. Granted, it did feel a little short because she only performed some of her songs in full, opting to rather sing only the first verses and chorus. Nonetheless, it’s great to see that Tamia’s not only aged well, but so has her incredible voice. I’m looking forward to the next time she comes back for the Sunday Lovers crew.
Pastry Playdates 