Midnight Avenue: young, loud and lighting the way forward

CHATSWORTH’S rising alt-rock youth band is living proof that passion, discipline and belief can still rise above the noise.

School halls and bedrooms have been turned into rehearsal spaces and community centres where young people dare to imagine lives beyond their circumstances.

For alternative rock band Midnight Avenue, that dream is no longer distant. It is unfolding in real time, one performance, one song, and one late night at a time.

Midnight Avenue is made up of a group of young but deeply committed musicians: Trenton Naidoo, 17, drummer and co-founder, Ravashlin Singh, 18 is a rhythm guitarist whose stage name is Lin, Abigail Chetty, 17, is lead guitarist whose stage name Abs, Simone Prianqa Naidoo, 15 is a vocalist, and newly-joined vocalist Makyle Tyrone Chetty, 17,  also known as Miguel Winters. Together, they represent a new wave of local talent determined to keep live, instrument-driven rock alive in a community where such bands are becoming increasingly rare.

The band’s name carries symbolic weight. Midnight Avenue speaks to the darker stretches of life — the moments of doubt, pressure and uncertainty — and the road one must walk through them. As Trenton explains, it is rooted in a shared belief that even in the bleakest moments, light remains visible at the end of the journey. It is a message that resonates deeply in Chatsworth and Phoenix, areas shaped by resilience, cultural pride, and the ability to rebuild in the face of adversity.

The idea for the band was sparked by Trenton, a young drummer who had long dreamed of forming his own band. He reached out to Ravashlin, whose calm precision on guitar helped anchor the band’s sound. Soon after, Abigail — already an accomplished guitarist with years of experience — joined, bringing technical strength and musical maturity well beyond her age.

Simone, the youngest, became the band’s early vocal presence. Still in school at Apollo Secondary, she balances academics with music, describing the band not just as collaborators, but as lifelong friends. “As scary as it was in the beginning, I couldn’t imagine myself without these people,” she shares. Her vocals carry emotional honesty, shaped by teenage experiences that many readers will recognise — pressure, hope, self-discovery.

A turning point came with the arrival of Miguel Winters. Initially, an independent artist and graphic designer who supported the band from behind the scenes, a creative collaboration on a track titled Summer Rain changed everything. A studio session led to a deeper connection, and soon Miguel was invited to join Midnight Avenue as a vocalist. His experience and confidence elevated the band’s chemistry, marking what members describe as a new chapter of “magic”.

Balancing music with matric exams was no small task. Four members were completing their final year of school, juggling rehearsals with studying, deadlines and expectations. Yet music became their release — a space to process emotions and transform lived experiences into sound. Their style, best described as alternative rock, blends energy with introspection, drawing on bands such as Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Deftones, and classic rock icons.

Their most memorable performance to date was at a school prom — a moment that reaffirmed their purpose. For the band, it wasn’t just about applause; it was proof that rock music still has a place among younger generations.

Now, Midnight Avenue is preparing for an important milestone: a live performance on December 21 at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre, followed by an appearance at the popular night market hosted at the venue. These events are more than gigs; they are community moments. The night market, known for its festive atmosphere, family-friendly energy, live bands, DJs and dancing, provides the perfect platform for young local artists to shine.

While Simone will be absent due to school commitments, she speaks with pride about how far the band has come. For Trenton, every performance is a step closer to a lifelong ambition — not fame for its own sake, but impact. “I don’t want to be remembered,” he says. “I want the music to be remembered.”

In communities that know hardship as well as hope, Midnight Avenue stands as a reminder of what young people can achieve when talent is met with discipline, support and belief. Their journey is only beginning — but already, they are walking their avenue with purpose, carrying light forward for others to follow.