Simon van Gend

Simon van Gend is a Cape Town-based singer-songwriter whose music sits at the warm intersection of indie folk and acoustic rock. Originally inspired by the great songwriting tradition of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Paul Simon, he has spent three decades developing a voice entirely his own — one that blends soulful melodies with lyrics that are introspective, finely crafted, and quietly revelatory. Tickets R205pp (show only)18h30 for 19h00 (kitchen orders close at 19h00)*Live Music Starts AFTER Dinner Service is completed*Dinner, Dessert and Drinks availableFully Licensed, BYOB not permittedAny Food / Beverage Not permitted unless by prior arrangementCard / Cash (preferred) Payment15% Service Fee Charged More on the Artist Over the course of six albums, Simon has built a devoted following through years of heartfelt live performances across South Africa. His acclaimed 2015 release Suffer Well emerged from an ambitious song-a-week project — 52 songs written in a single year, distilled into 14 of the finest. He repeated the process in 2017, and the songs from that year eventually found their way onto his latest release, Dream I'm a Bird (2025). The new album showcases a refined maturity, with standout tracks such as "River at the End of the Road" and "Hope for Aging Folks" cementing his reputation as one of South Africa's most enduring independent folk talents. The Simon van Gend Band bring these songs to life with warmth, energy and a distinctive full-band sound. Ross Campbell anchors the rhythm with drums that range from joyful to brooding. Crick Lund holds down the bass while moonlighting as a professor of psychology at King's College London. Gustavo Fasani conjures atmosphere and colour on keys and synth. And Drew Burton — the newest member of the band — brings a soaring trumpet voice that gives the music an unexpected and beautiful dimension.