Playdoe Live At Proud

The expanse of At Proud in Camden’s stables market is practically empty. A friend and I sit alone on the stylish sofas opposite a stage where two guys are assembling a microphone and a set of turntables. A few stray drinkers wander past on their way out for a cigarette. “Hello, we are Playdoe” announce one of them to an empty room.

Rapper Spoek Mathambo and DJ Fuck (real name Sibot) together are Playdoe, a South African duo who hail from opposite sides of Johannesburg and are seemingly unheard of in their native land. Unapologetically fun, they describe themselves as ‘Neo-electro Afrobotic ethnotechno mamas' boys’. They’re rude, crude, and just wanna have fun, and do so with a handful of Casio sounds, thumping bass lines and gut wrenching beats. 

A drum loop begins, an almost deafening thud which echoes round the walls of the former stables. An 80s style synth melody bounces off the walls from which images of legends Joplin and Hendrix stared on. A part of me feels terribly sorry for these two individuals who after half an hour of tweaking and fumbling over equipment seemingly would have no one to perform to. 

However suddenly at some point through the second song, as my foot taps against the ground, some curious revellers amble through from the bar area to see what all the fuss is about. The MC jumps up and down energetically whilst the DJ plays the most vintage of synth sounds; think Dizzee Rascal meets Afrika Bambaataa in a disco. More people pour through the door, shyly tapping away to a rhythm with a female chorus of ‘It’s That Beat’. Before I know it around 30 people have gathered round, those seated are on their feet, some are even dancing. 

Despite the lack of a big audience Playdoe give it all they have and people enjoy their storming set.
This is possibly not their most successful gig, but the duo show us tonight what they are capable of and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from them.