Al Bairre

Al Bairre is a Cape Town, South Africa-based five-piece symphonic indie rock group active since 2012. The band consists of Kyle Davis, Tom Kotze, Tessa Johnson, Julia Johnson and Nicholas Preen. Their sound combines cello, violins, guitars, ukuleles and drums, and they describe their approach as taking an indie band and turning it into an “ice cream of orchestral sounds”.

Style and influences

The group draws influence from Arcade Fire, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. Their music sits across indie rock, indie and indie pop, with a strong orchestral element in the instrumentation.

Releases and recognition

Al Bairre releases its first EP, When I Was Tall. The EP receives attention locally and internationally, with tracks picked up by Sydney University Radio and one track featured in a Vodafone London Fashion Week video. The band also releases music videos for “When I Was Tall” and “Right Here In July”.

Live activity

Since forming, Al Bairre plays a number of shows alongside acts including Shadowclub, Holliday Murray, Beach Party, LA VI, Grassy Spark and Matthew Mole. The group is also confirmed for Synergy Live and is preparing a Johannesburg tour.

Media coverage

As momentum builds, the band is featured in YES Lifestyle Magazine, The Big Issue, Your LMG September issue and several blogs.