Singer Robin Pieters has got to be one of the fastest-growing and most hardworking stars in the local music industry.
He went from being a back-up artist to some of the greatest international and national stars, to becoming one himself.
He is also the driving force behind one of the most successful productions Cape Town has to offer.
Tickets to his annual show in February, It’s a Love Thing that takes place at the GrandWest Grand Arena, has become sought-after, and the show has played to rave reviews, with this year being no different.
I loved watching Robin’s journey and for a brief moment got to share a stage with him in Loukmaan Adams and Alistair Izobell’s remake of Vocal is Lekka that ran at GrandWest.
What makes Robin different to most singers is not just his singing, but his onstage persona, that audiences have fallen in love with and that allows for him to carry an entire show with some supporting acts.
He could easily do it on his own as well.
FRIENDS: Pastor Morné Meyer and Robin Pieters
What I love at the moment is the storyline on Robin’s social media platforms with Pastor Morné Meyer who lives in America, and who regularly checks up on his friend, ‘Robin the Star’, in Cape Town.
Morné is charming and lovable as well, most of the time Morné puts Robin in his place, but in a lekker way.
Morné is also the host of Robin’s lockdown show and most of the time he does not get the publicity he deserves, so hopefully this time is different.
The two met 10 years ago at a party and have been friends ever since.
Morné relocated to the United States and of course Robin went to go visit him.
The two even toured the States together.
Robin says their comical online banter started in the US when they first made videos together and he would speak on camera in an American accent to which Morné one day replied, “ haai Robin, hoekom praat jy soe? Ek is al drie jaar hier maar ek praatie soe nie, jy kom nou eerste hier en jy het al ‘n accent.”
His fans loved it, but Robin says they stopped when he came home.
Now with the lockdown, he started baking and posting videos online, and Morné then started sending him videos, commenting on his baking.
In one video he says: Hallo Robin, ek sien jy bak, waar kry jy geld om soe te bak? Jy’t drie maande laas gewerk.”
Again, the fans loved it and since then they’ve continued the banter and Morné’s “character” has taken on a life of its own.
Morné has since started a Facebook page of his own and recently hit the 10 000 follower mark.
I personally love their most recent video, where Morné comments on Robin’s Eid greeting to his Muslim followers, saying: “ Hallo Robin, waar kry dai Moslem klere, isit ‘n salaah top?
“ Naai kwaai, Robin is the type of person when it’s Christmas dan is hy Christian, when it’s labarang is hy moslem. Keep it up, Robin, I love it.”
The love between the two friends is clear, it’s genuine, open and honest, and this is why I believe it is such a huge success online.
It is also why it is translating to viewers for the lockdown show, as Robin says the audience say Morné is the star of the show.
Robin says the reason why he donned the salaah top was for his Muslim followers who he loves dearly, and he wanted to honour their day, so he slat his salaah top and turned his own turban.
The singer says that Covid-19 has pushed him to think past just the music industry and explore other avenues.
His clothing line is also doing very well, and they have sold over 500 tops.
He says he feels blessed and has now started exploring the livestreaming avenue on a regular basis.
The next lockdown live show is taking place on 30 May at Penny Lane Studios with special guest Salome.
Check out Robin’s Facebook page for more info and ticket purchases.
He says the previous lockdown show raised over R20 000 with which over 2000 loaves of bread were purchased and distributed.