This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to see my favorite band finally play in person. I had tickets to see them when they were last in Boston on February 18, 2015. I had V.I.P tickets then, too. However, Mother Nature decided to ruin that for me because there was about 12 feet of snow on the ground and the MBTA was a mess. I was unable to make that show and I am still bitter because they were touring with their Lunatic album. Anyway, I digress.

KONGOS is a band of four brothers originally from South Africa that relocated to the Arizona in the mid 1990s. They are an alternative rock and kwaito band that has one of the most unique sounds in the music industry today. The brothers write, perform, and produce all of their songs. They try their best to never outsource anything and like to be hands-on in all aspects of their band. The brothers are currently touring the US with their new album Egomaniac. The album focuses on egomania. All four brothers are incredibly self-aware. Dylan begins to speak about how the theme of egomania became the theme of their album, he said, “Without thinking about a theme for the album, they started to show a theme in their songs and in everyone’s songs.” Jesse continued to say, “Once we started to see this theme of egomania, that’s when we were able to pick the songs.”

Both Danny and Johnny had input on the theme of egomania as well:

Johnny: “We’re always talking about how crazy other people are or how crazy we are, and how egomaniacal everyone is and including ourselves.”

Danny: “I don’t think narcissism or even egomania is anything new, but it does feel like we got a lot more tools for it now”

Johnny: “Our existence kind of has been brought down to needing this affirmation that like ‘I exist, look at this, look at me, I exist, I am something’ and I dunno, maybe we’re not, but maybe it’s all just insignificant and we’re just specs in a gigantic universe, but goddammit, I’m a f*cking egomaniac.”

Now, to talk about the wonderful night I was able to experience: fortunately, this Wednesday, I was able to make the trek into Boston’s theatre district from Beverly where I am at graduate school. All together, there were approximately 20 people who had purchased the V.I.P package. A small but extremely exuberant and enthusiastic staff member who was going to be our guide for the night greeted us outside Royale. Mo, our very own special tour guide introduced himself, told us how great of a time we were about to have, and then took a seat on the sidewalk. Mo and the majority of the KONGOS crew are actually friends of the brothers and all travel around the world together touring.

As we waited for our special acoustic performance by KONGOS, Mo mentioned that he can stand for long periods of time because his “knees are strong because there’s not much above them.” Mo was able to make everyone excited for our event and kept us entertained and occupied with his sharp wit and humor. He also wore a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask (he really helped make the night incredible).

When we were able to go to the balcony level, there sat Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny. Danny was seated closest to me. Next was Dylan, the lead singer, Jesse next to him sitting on a decorative end table of an elephant, and then standing on the left-hand side was Danny. It was an intimate space at Royale where I sat on the floor, my feet nearly in the way of Danny.

They played four acoustic versions of their songs – Come With Me Now and Take It From Me being their most famous songs. Between songs, we would all make conversation. Dylan commented on how last time they visited Boston there was about twelve feet of snow on the ground. We thanked them for giving Boston another change and Dylan said, “Well, it wasn’t Boston’s fault!” We are all so thankful they did return to our great city of Boston.

After the private mini-concert, all of the V.I.P members were able to get a photograph with the band and also have a private moment with them. It was apparent from the acoustic performance and time spent with them in those 30 minutes that it become apparent how down-to-earth, genuine, and funny the brothers are.

The concert was one of the best I have ever been to. The brothers play with intense dedication and passion whether they’re in front of a crowd of 20 or a crowd of hundreds. KONGOS has not only become my favorite band because of the sound of their distinct music, but because of the meaningful, relatable, and self-aware lyrics, and how accessible and authentic Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny are.

I hope you give their songs a listen or watch this interview about them and their process of writing and producing Egomaniac because they are sensational musicians and individuals. And I of course hope to see KONGOS many more times in concert and will be saving up to purchase more of the V.I.P opportunities they offer. I'm sure you'll fall in love with them just as I did because of their music, but also because they're just giant adorable dorks.