Easter Had Landed!

David — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:41:09 GMT

Well, the weekend I guess doesn’t officially start until 5pm today, but I am certainly in holiday mode! I am also very relieved I am going to Splashy Fen for the break and Not the Coke Zero Fest.

In a sense I pity the organisers of this annual bash. Firs the Guns n Roses debacle, and now this: Bullet For My Valentine and Red Jump Suit Apparatus pull out at the last minute! Well, there is a pernicious rumour that the organisers knew this already last week, but for reasons best known only to themselves only saw fit to announce it this week, but of course that is completely unverifiable. One can’t imagine why!

In any event, BIG Concerts CEO, Attie Van Wyk said: "We are absolutely devastated by the cancellation of these two bands. Not only have they not fulfilled their agreements with us, but they have let their South African fans down in the biggest possible manner. And all at the last minute, leaving us in an unfortunate position of not being able to find suitable replacements at such short notice."

Ticketholders who no longer wish to attend the festival due to the withdrawal of Bullet For My Valentine and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have until Friday 17 April 2009 to claim a refund by presenting their ticket at any Computicket outlet.

So, I am mighty glad I plumped for the local option and the 7 hour drive to Splashy Fen. It will probably rain and I don’t care! A much needed break from work and JHB is definitely in order. To boot I have a lovely new girlfriend who has never been before, so I am looking forward to a shared adventure.

So suckers, if you’re stuck in JHB over the weekend, I hope it's a great one! Catch you on the flip side!

This Easter? Well South Actually!

David — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:44:39 GMT

Yeah, that April cluster of public holidays and very little work is nearly upon us! as a music lover, there is a plethora of events to choose from as usual, and this year,i am plumping for splashy Fen. Mainly cos its their 20th anniversary and all that, but also because it is the most beautiful music festival location in South Africa an I can go walking in the hills during the day!

So, here is a bunch of news about this year's festival from the organisers themselves!

Splashy Fen From The Air

Splashy Fen celebrates its milestone 20^th festival this Easter with a line-up that not only pays tribute to a number of legendary artists but also features a large contingent of exciting newcomers – some new to the Splashy Fen stage and others that are hot new acts on the South African music scene.

Supported by East Coast Radio and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the Big 20^th Splash kicks off on Thursday, April 9 with a strong showing of going-places Durban bands. Performing in the Grant Erskine Marquee is T.H.O.T.S. (Tree Houses on the Sea), a dynamic group of experimental musicians making a stir with their fresh Hip Hop sound. Up next is Fruits & Veggies with their unique brand of ‘Rockhopsoul’, followed by Habit To, Gonzo Republic, Sugardrive, City Bowl Mizers and Squeal, reuniting for one night only.

Moving across to the Splashy Fen Stage, Pretoria band Wrestlerish makes its debut on Underberg soil at 9pm. Playing folk/acoustic music with a country feeling, Wrestlerish has been described as “original and extraordinary” and seems set to be the next big thing to come out of South Africa. Other acts to watch out for are Seth, Luna Paige, Alter Irving and The Otherwise.

Friday quick picks

Friday in the Grant Erskine Marquee is dedicated to the grand legends showcase, featuring the likes of Syd Kitchen, Tony Cox, Nibs van der Spuy, Chris Chameleon, Madala Kunene, The Rudimentals, Shawn Phillips and Urban Creep’s Brendan Jury. Jury performs at 5pm with Cape Town singer-songwriter Cofield Mundi.

Although a newcomer to Splashy Fen, Mundi is anything but a music industry novice and was nominated for a US Grammy Award in 2007 in the category Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, alongside big names such as Madonna and Nelly Furtado. Tracks from her recently released second album, The Big Question, can currently be heard on radio stations around the country.

A strong line-up on the other stage will no doubt have people wishing they could be in two places at once, so as not to miss out on acts like Andra, Haggis and Bong, Brenda Burnit, The Fuzz, Maisha and The Arrows, among others.

Saturday sizzlers

Things get a bit more up-tempo on Saturday, when the programme kicks off with a cameo unplugged set by Stealing Love Jones. The glamorous pop rockers will make a splash of their own when they fly in by helicopter to be part of the Big 20^th Splash celebration.

Then it’s the turn of a cappella swing trio Dr Fly and The Nurses, followed later by a string of Cape Town artists, including Simon van Gend’s acoustic folk rock outfit, as well as the energy-driven grooves and soulful songs of The Jack Mantis Band.

Watershed is up next, followed by Hot Water, a five-piece that will no doubt get feet tapping with its cross-cultural fusion of upbeat South African jives, hopping blues and modern folk ballads. Voted Best Band in South Africa by Men’s Health Magazine in September 2008, Hot Water – also hailing from the Cape – is fronted by the multi-talented Donovan Copley and has been booked to perform at the Hague Jazz Festival in Holland in May 2009.

Sure to heat things up even more is Napalma, with their irresistible Afro-Brazilian rhythms, followed by hugely successful electronica phenomenon, Goldfish, returning to Splashy Fen with synths and sax in tow for the second year running.

Yet another act to look out for on Saturday is The Shadowclub, a Johannesburg band whose unique foot-stomping blend of blues, punk, soul, and old school rock ‘n roll is making people sit up and take notice. Catch them at 8pm on the Splashy Fen stage, where Durban punk/ska rockers Sheep Down will also be performing.

Sunday’s got the blues

A day to chill, reflect and bemoan the fact that Splashy’s nearly all over, Sunday's line-up has a strong blues flavour, featuring artists like The Gloucester Blues Project, Bobby and The Dynamites, RedHOUSE and the maestro himself, Dan Patlansky.

And if that’s not enough, festival-goers can expect to be blown away by yet another Capetonian, Dave Ferguson, whose unique approach and sound has earned him an almost cult-like following. Using only harmonica, vocals and a live, looped human beat-box component, Ferguson delivers a truly original one-man show of what he calls “Trans-Blues & Country-Dub”, with some surprises thrown in for good measure.

Also on the Sunday bill are Heather Mac and The Brills and UK-based Mann Friday, a group of Zimbabwean and South African musicians performing melodic rock with cross-over electronica tunes and some gently mixed African rhythms.

With more than 90 artists performing over four days, Splashy Fen 2009 promises a line-up studded with talented newcomers and familiar favourites. Held near Underberg in KZN, the festival runs from April 9 - 13 and also offers fun outdoor activities for the whole family, colourful craft stalls, a wide variety of food and drink outlets and various camping and accommodation options.

Tickets are available at selected Game stores (R400), Computicket (R450) and at the festival gate (R500). Children under 12 pay R50 – tickets at the gate only. The price includes camping for the entire long weekend. For more information and the full programme, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.

Monday Monday!

David — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:53:44 GMT

Yeah and it is a four day week! And for a change, I am gonna hit Splashy Fen and stay there for as much of the weekend as I can! Splashy Fen is a great alternative for JHB jollers in the way of music festivals, and its a pity more of us Jozi types don’t head on down.

For a start, it is beautiful! And secondly, there I actually stuff to do when the bands aren’t playing: there are hiking trails, fishing, swimming and even 4X4 trails if you happen to be of that persuasion! The line up this year is a very mixed one generally speaking, and one that I think is gonna surprise a few people!

You can scope out the entire line-up on www.splashyfen.co.za but it includes the likes of: Tony Cox, Chris Chameleon, Lark, The Parlotones, Sitter, Tidal Waves, Jack Hammer, Bed on Bricks, Harris Tweed, Jim Neversink, Josie Field, New Academics, Taxi Violence, The Hellphones, Japan and I, Sheep Down and The City Bowl Mizers.

They also have really good facilities and the best array of food stalls at any fest I have been to in South Africa!

So forget work for now, books you ticket from www.splashyfen.co.za and plan your weekend!

The Chiz : Splashy Fenn

Easter Had Landed!

This Easter? Well South Actually!

Monday Monday!