Last Friday we were invited to the Baxter to Flat Stanley’s Intimate & Acoustic show, which promised to be an awesome setting for a massive show to a sold out audience! Andrew Mac called me on Friday morning, “Rouvanne, please make sure you use all the tickets, as people are clawing to get hold of extra’s!” And we did!

The stage was kitted out in plush red velvet, with chandeliers and subtle lighting, a lounge chill area and some stunning décor as Levi’s and Heineken really came to the party to make this concert possible. Flat Stanley has only ever had one similar showing at the Baxter, and Andrew said that they just couldn’t wait to get back!

I hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing a live show before, and as Andrew and I are Camps Bay High School Old Boys, we have been threatening to do some work together for some time, and so when I saw this acoustic show being advertised, I just had to get hold of some tickets!

With Andrew on lead vocals, Clinton on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Neil on lead guitar, Tony Paco on percussion, Mike Horn on drums and Robert Jeffery on Cello, backed up by 5 lovely ladies on violins, the audience was treated to about two and a half hours of tracks from both albums released by the group; the 2004’s Of Secrets and Wine and 2007’s Between 2wo Worlds.

It was melodic; it rocked; it was soulful and deep; and there was laughter with front-man Andrew who just had the audience eating out of his hand. I heard comments all round about him being just such a nice guy, a real personality, and someone who really keeps the audience interested – and that was in-between tracks!

They played some tracks that have made it big on radio, and some that should’ve, like Daytrippers, Paper Thin and Déjà vu, with the stunning I, Warrior and Song for the Broken Hearted – all these tracks from their latest album Between 2wo Worlds.

The guys had to fly out the following morning early as they were the only Cape Town representatives at the weekends Jo’burg Festival, but that didn’t stop them from getting out at the end of the show to meet and greet and sign some autographs. Flat Stanley is wanting to do some more corporate gigs, specifically around year end, and so we are going to have them round for a spot of lunch to chat about how we can best tackle the market with them.

I am sure that we will get a shout-out from them then, but in the mean time, if you don’t already have it, get their latest album – its well worth it!