Snuggle up at Splashy Fen
If you don’t have plans for the Easter weekend yet and you’re into folk music and rocky sounds, get your tent out and head to the 19th edition of Splashy Fen and j u s t c h i l l o u t…..! There’s a TENT HOTEL for those not into busking it as well as a Family area so you can even take your kids and get them looked after… Enjoy. Splashy Fen here. With the 19th edition of South Africa’s longest running and best-loved music festival just weeks away – Easter weekend March 20 to 24 – it’s probably a good time to think about which ‘ultimate outdoor sleeping experience’ to opt for at Splashy Fen 2008. Just as this year’s roster of over 70 bands and solo artists is more appealing than ever, so are the choices of where to snuggle up under the Southern Berg stars at the end of each day.General Camping Areas The long-standing tradition of staking out a site, setting up camp and settling in for a weekend of fun and fellowship means the general camping areas will no doubt continue to be the first choice for many festival-goers. As always, entrance to these campsites is included in the ticket price and campers can also look forward to improved ablution facilities. Family Campsite With the festival fast approaching its 20th anniversary, it’s not too surprising that many Splashy ‘veterans’ now have spouses and children in tow, making the centrally-located, cordoned-off family campsite an option well worth considering. Although it carries a R100 per vehicle surcharge (payable on arrival), it must be remembered that entry for children under 12 is free. In keeping with the growing numbers of young and young-at-heart festival-goers, the family campsite will this year be even bigger and offer exclusive toilet facilities. The children’s marquee and entertainment zone will also continue to be positioned within this area and a full programme of daytime amusements plus an evening child-minding service will again be available. Tent Hotel Would-be festival-goers who mistakenly equate any form of sleeping outdoors with ‘roughing it’, will be pleased to know that the tent hotel offers a hassle-free, comfortable camping alternative. After all, what could be easier than checking in to a pre-pitched and spacious tent, complete with mattresses and linen, to enjoy all the expected amenities of a ‘regular’ B & B at very affordable rates? Situated in a prime position overlooking the festival site, this professionally run establishment is the perfect choice for those wishing to enjoy the ‘ultimate outdoor experience’ without forgoing any of their regular creature comforts. Visit www.kreefhotel.co.za for bookings and...
South African line up for MyCoke Fest
We’ve never heard of Van Coke Kartel (luv the name tho), Crash Car Burn or the Shy Gueveras (cheesy!) but we certainly know and are fans of SA super group Wonderboom and have heard lots of good things about LoneHill Estate. We’re not huge rockers though so excuse our ignorance. These are the bands who will represent the creme de la creme of SA rock music at the My Coke Fest this year, Rockers – what are your thoughts? Pr below: Only SA’s best can quench your music thirst, and that’s why Coca-Cola in association with 5FM are thrilled to announce the line up of local bands performing at MY COKE FEST 08. The festival, which kicks off in Johannesburg on Friday the 21st at the New Market Racecourse, and then hits Cape Town on Monday the 24th of March 2008, at Kenilworth Racecourse, is already set to be the biggest music festival this year! Already converted to the “Coke side of life”, are some of the most sought after and alternative bands in the world, and now playing alongside KORN, MUSE, CHRIS CORNELL, KAISER CHIEFS, GOOD CHARLOTTE, 30 SECONDS TO MARS and PRIME CIRCLE, the highly anticipated local line-up includes: *WONDERBOOM*, *CRASH CAR BURN*, *LONEHILL ESTATE*, *VAN COKE KARTEL*, and the *SHY GUEVARAS* Brought to you by Coca-Cola and official radio station 5fm, the 2-date, all day, adrenalin fuelled festival is definitely hottest line-up to date! Thousands of ticket holders already thought so, which means you need to get yours now! WONDERBOOM, CRASH CAR BURN and LONEHILL ESTATE will only be performing in Johannesburg, and VAN COKE KARTEL and SHY GUEVARAS will only be performing in Cape Town! WONDERBOOM It’s not often a band delivers such unbridled passion, commitment and superlative, original sounds. WONDERBOOM does. They (Cito Otto on vocals, Martin Schofield on guitars, Wade Williams on bass, and Danny De Wet on drums) are one of South Africa’s most established and successful rock bands. During their decade together, they have released 7 albums, headlined every major SA festival and been nominated for 4 SAMA’s. In 2004 they won the local leg of the Global Battle of the Bands, and came second worldwide. ‘City of Gold’, WONDERBOOM’s seventh album, was released last year, and has seen its first single “Best Side” receive extensive airplay on radio stations nationally, and reaching No.1 on 5fm’s Hi5@5 chart. (Performing in Johannesburg ONLY!) CRASH CAR BURN Local power-pop contenders CRASH CAR BURN, were ironically formed in London two years ago. The band is made up of Brendan Barnes (Drums) and Garth Barnes (vocals/guitar), who were both in the hugely popular punk band...
Afrika burns:”There is no time. There is no money.”
Feel like something out of this world that involves community participation, arts and pop-up culture? Tired of money money money work work work and bling bling [bling]? Go get amongst the GIFT ECONOMY at Afrika Burns this year and get away from it all. Thanks to Horn for the inspiring words and pics… Afrika Burns was held for the 1st time in Africa from the 22-25 November 2007 in Tankwa town, Karoo. There is actually no town there at all. It is halfway down the most remote road in SA. Tankwa Town is 113 km down the longest road in SA that has no town on it. In the desert This is an art Festival….no ordinary art festival- It is totally participant created. There is nothing there to begin with and each camp creates something , whether it’s an art installation, a camp or just getting involved and volunteering. Afrikaburns….the regional event for the burning man festival- is an experiment in temporary community building. Every thing that is brought in must be taken away. It’s a haven for radical self expression, self reliance and non commercialism. Nothing can be bought or sold, and you have to bring everything that will allow you to survive, encouraging the culture of environmental mindfulness, which is leaving no matter out of place. Afrika burns is probably some of the most amazing 4 days you can have: building, creating, making friends, helping out, making a difference and going on missions. There is no time. There is no money , there are no things to buy or pay for. So what this all means is that you get together with a bunch of friends, colleagues, strangers and you plan and build a camp. There were 28 themed camps this year with each camp having a theme to add to the whole event: – “Camp Vuvuzela”, who were definitely the most organised, they put together a stage and a dance floor, with chill out areas, couches, pillows and all. They put on a myriad of tunes and acts on stage, from percussion to trance, they also had a mobile DJ mutant vehicle in the “vuvu van” (a mutant vehicle that was once a landrover that had decks, amps, speakers, adorned with orange and pink fur who’s sole purpose was to attended other camps events and add some tunes if needed. – Then there was the amazing Burning Mail – they erected a fully functioning post office in the middle of the desert , complete with typewriters, especially designed postcards and delivery anywhere in the world. They also delivered to the next camp (via bicycle) or if...
Rocker’s delight @ My Coke Fest
Be prepared for a bunch of true Rockstars set to descend on Jozi and Cape Town next year for the MyCoke Festival in March – MUSE, Kaizer Chiefs, Good Charlotte and KOЯN – Rockers… buy your golden circles now!!!! Can you believe it’s almost 08! The mega-fest kicks off at the New Market Racecourse in Johannesburg on Friday, March 21 and proceeds to the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Monday, March 24. In true “Coke side of life” style, MY COKE FEST 08 features the hottest line-up to date. A blend of the finest and most sought after International and SA talent! Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the 2-day, 12-hour, 10-band, adrenalin-fuelled festival, and feast on some of the finest live bands in the world! Only Coke can quench such a music-thirst… We searched the globe, screening hundreds of hopefuls, converting some of the biggest known bands to the Coke side of life, and are excited to announce the international line-up for MY COKE FEST 08… The all-star, multi-award winning line-up includes US Rock sensation GOOD CHARLOTTE, Britain’s “Best Live Act” KAISER CHIEFS, Sound Garden and Audioslave front-man CHRIS CORNELL, “Supermassive” MUSE, and the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning KOЯN. On the local front, the first band to be announced is one of SA’s top rock outfits, PRIME CIRCLE. This is only the beginning… so grab a Coke, watch this space, tune in to 5FM and enjoy the Coke side of life! KOЯN KOЯN has redefined the parameters of heavy music, revolutionising the genre by matching unsettling guitar textures and volcanic rhythms with jagged, introspective lyrics and intense vocal stylings. The band -Jonathan Davis, James “Munky” Shaffer, Fieldy and David Silveria – is one of the most popular hard rock acts in the world today, with a dedicated fan base and widely acclaimed live performances. They have sold in excess of 25 million albums worldwide, and four of their albums debuted in the top three of the Billboard Top 200, two of which entered the charts at number one. Their bold music defies categorization – it’s blinding musical fury, dark and twisted lyrical candour also radiates a hybrid funk and medicating, metallic shimmer. The multi-media maestros were the first band to simulcast a live concert in 2002 into movie theatres across the U.S. Earlier this year they filmed “MTV Unplugged: KOЯN” at MTV’s Times Square studio, for an MTV global TV event broadcast, across the US, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. MUSE Muse is the UK’s most innovative band. The three-piece group – Matthew Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard – produces a unique blend of alternative rock, classical music, electronica, heavy...
Represent Review: FNB Whisky Festival
When Reuben “The Matrix” Malema became a citizen journalist for Represent, one of his first requests was to channel any events involving whisky or beer tasting towards him. And patiently did he wait for this years FNB Whisky Live Festival for his chance to taste and tell. He’s certainly got the whisky parlance down pat, see his photo’s here – ladies and gentlemen we present to you…. The Matrix: The annual FNB Whisky Live Festival in Sandton City last week had Johannesburg’s connoisseurs of the gentlemen’s fine drink well seduced. The pleasant weather combined with a captivating atmosphere were indeed perfectly suited elements for such a prestigious event. And if the surroundings were not enough to hotwire my interest and admittedly over-the-top expectations, hey presto, right in front of the entrance hall to the convention centre was non other than our Nation’s Rugby World cup Hero – Percy Montgomery; in Springbok formal attire and all! So, with my notepad, pencil and sharp taste buds ready for a great evening; Mr. Malemela Hiine and yours truly charged into the convention centre; on a quest for superbly distilled and flawless Whiskey kegs. “There is no such thing as bad whiskey. Some whiskeys just happen to be better than others. But a man should not fool with booze until he’s fifty, then he’s a damn fool if he doesn’t” – Samuel Johnson (true whiskey connoisseur) We started off at the stable of the Famous Grouse. This brand made it’s rigorous South African mainstream market debut less than three years ago. They took the expo opportunity to launch their premier brand: The Black Grouse (the application of the “Black” in the name appeared kind of familiar. Could this be a piggy-back brand? Time will tell…). Longing for more, we trotted off to the Bushmills Irish Whisky stand where we got treated to their Original Brand which has a light gold and somewhat bright colour. Scents of “fresh and light apricot with a cut of grass, honey and light vanilla tones” filled our nostrils. The”light to medium silky feel coats the tongue with sweet and buttery moisuret, while the dried grass, malt and chocolate aftertaste remains on the nose” – splendid indeed! By this time, the alcohol effect had already started knocking hard on my taste buds, so we dashed off for a helping of a more familiar taste: Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Sour Mash Tennessee Whisky. Good old Uncle Jack took us back in time on an authentic tour of how his finest brand is distilled. The Facts: Jack Daniels is only distilled in Tennessee – USA, the original spring water is still being...
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