Midnight Avenue: rising Durban band gears up for their first major release

“Sorry to disrupt your peace, but it’s what Midnight Avenue does.”

The line, spoken half jokingly during a late-night phone call, has become a slogan that captures the spirit of Midnight Avenue, a rising youth alternative rock band from Chatsworth in Durban.

The group is driven by connection, shared ambition and a belief that music should make people feel seen. Their sound leans into atmosphere and emotion, built for live performance and honest expression. 

Midnight Avenue began taking shape toward the end of 2024, sparked by an idea from drummer Trent Naidoo.

After spending time learning guitar from rhythm guitarist Ravashlin Singh, Trent decided he wanted to form a real alternative rock band that would play live and aim for big stages. “It had always been a dream of mine to play on a big stage as part of a band,” he said. That decision set everything in motion.

One of the first people that he approached was vocalist Simone Prianqa Naidoo.

“Seeing someone so close to me with aspirations like that made me realise that this dream is not as far-fetched as it seems,” Simone said.

Simone, who is 15-years-old, described the band as a space where passion and friendship meet. “What really brings us together is our chemistry. Every practice feels like a fun hangout with my favourite people.”

She described the band’s sound as slow jam and atmospheric, with a soft but gritty vocal style layered over electric guitar, drums and beats. Her influences range widely, from The Beatles and Elton John to Michael Jackson, Hozier, TV Girl and Chase Atlantic.

“I hope when people listen to our music, they feel understood,” she said. “We want to make music that they can relax to, vibe to or deeply relate to.”

Lead guitarist Abigail Chetty, known as Abs, joined soon after the band started forming. Now 17, she plays guitar, contributes vocals and steps in on keyboard when needed.

“We were just a group of teenagers with talent who noticed and connected with each other,” she said. “We all wanted to make music, and the band formed naturally from there.”

Her main influences include John Mayer and Steve Vai, and she said that the band’s core message is simple. “The biggest theme in our music is spreading love and inspiring others.”

Their debut single, “Summer Rain”, marks the first full release from Midnight Avenue and is set for release on Sunday, December 28.

The track features shared vocals from Abs and Miguel Winters, who later joined the band as one of its vocalists. An album is already in the works for next year.

Winters, born Makyle Tyrone Chetty, joined the band after initially collaborating on “Summer Rain” as an independent artist.

“From the moment I heard that track, something sparked in me,” he said.

After the matric exams ended, a studio session led to him being invited to join the group. “I was drawn to their energy. Making music together feels like nothing is dark anymore.”

Miguel’s influences include XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD, Sasha Alex Sloan and The Kid LAROI. He believes that sadness in music is often misunderstood.

“It carries the most movement of the heart,” he said. His goal is for listeners to feel less alone. “I want people to feel loved by the crashing and booming of our sound, even if it is just for a moment.” 

For Trent, Midnight Avenue is about impact rather than recognition.

“I do not want to be remembered. I want my music to be remembered,” he said. Drawing influence from artists like Deftones, Radiohead, Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold, he believes that the band is reviving styles that once faded from the mainstream. “Even when the path feels dark, there is always a way out.”

Singh, also known as Lin Singh, described the band’s sound as a blend of alternative rock and shoegaze with early 2000s influence, mixed with pop elements.

“We want to reflect real-life struggles and remind people they are not alone,” he said. He pointed to milestones like their first live performance, finishing their debut song and signing their first autographs as moments that brought the band closer.

Balancing music and school remains part of the journey, especially for Simone, who will be in Grade 11 next year. 

“I am allowed to be in the band as long as my grades are strong,” she said. “That motivates me to do well, not just for myself, but for the band.” The group supports her schedule and avoids pressure. “They understand how tiring school can be,” she added.

Looking ahead, Midnight Avenue plans to perform more shows, release new music and grow within the local scene and beyond.

Asked what advice they would give to other young musicians, the message is consistent. “Do not ever think you are not good enough,” said Trent.

Abs added, “Have confidence and take the chance.” Miguel summed it up simply. “Never stop believing in your music. Love it fully, and others will too.”