RAMfest Jo’burg: Good times on a “grassy fucking knoll”

If you felt like moshing last Saturday night RAMfest was the place to be! With pitiful support for the local acts the mosh pit started off slowly with a few scrawny boys pushing each other around during Not My Dog and ended with Funeral for a Friend demanding a Wall of Death on the “grassy fucking knoll”.

Sadly missing the always-awesome Desmond and the Tutus, and luckily just missing Knave which seems to think copying Jared Leto’s tragic swearing tirades on stage is a good idea ("fuck yeah!" would be their reply), the first band I caught following arrival, beer-getting and cursing the heat was Isochronous. A good, chilled start to the day, the band showed their immense talent with a spectacular set of accessible electronic rock overlaid with choir-singer sounding lead Richard‘s enchanting vocals.

Next, I stumbled upon Dance You’re on Fire on a second teeny tiny stage behind the beer tent on hearing their stellar track Boxes of Tigers being belted out. Upbeat and rocking all the way, the band had the couple of people there going mental.

Following a forgettable set by Zebra & Giraffe, Not My Dog reignited my excitement in a big way. The first gig the band has played in years and they were as awesome as I remember them. Hitting the stage hard and playing classics like Ek is verslaaf and Safari Music, Not My Dog were my personal highlight of the day.

Not being a fan, I gave Van Coke Kartel a skip, but made sure I was right up front for Alkaline Trio and Funeral for a Friend. Both bands meant business, bringing it hard and heavy from track one. The sound was a bit dodgy in places but finally a decent-sized crowd had formed – the first of the day. Alkaline Trio warmed the crowd up with their punk rock punchiness but it was Funeral for a Friend that really brought it. Orchestrating a massive mosh pit circle in front of the stage, the band attacked the crowd with colossal energy and huge sounds.

Aching legs and a sudden onslaught of a bad cough are sure signs of an awesome festival and I woke up with both the morning after RAMfest Jo’burg 2011.

The 12th International Cape Town Jazz Festival - SA at its stellar best

Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding

Jazz is a massive part of South African culture. It has an impressive record for bringing like-minded individuals together, no matter their creed or situation. It is second only to gospel in it's SA popularity.

The SA jazz industry is also streets ahead of, well, everyone else, in terms of artist development, effective punting, and consistent delivery of quality choons. Oh yes, jazz leads the way. It's not surprising then, that even our Prez JZ gave The International Cape Town Jazz Festival a nod when opening parliament in February.

BeBe Winans

Even if you know balls about jazz, there are big names to make the day pass worth it. With appearances from legends such as Hugh Masekela, Earth, Wind & Fire and BeBe Winans, as well as relative newcomers Tumi & the Volume and Esperanza Spalding, there's little doubt as to the quality of ICTJF's offerings this year. High energy and good choons go without saying. If you're not too sure about forking out R500 for an artform you're not sure of, you can always attend the free warm up concert on 23 March at Green Market Square.

Going into their 12th year, the ICTJF has made a name for itself internationally and is a massive draw to tourists. This year it takes place on 25 & 26 March. Tickets go for R369 (day pass) to R499 (weekend pass) and are available from the website: http://www.capetownjazzfest.com/

Lineup:

Wayne Shorter Quartet with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade; Earth, Wind and Fire (left); Dave Koz; Youssou N’dour; Simphiwe Dana; Ivan Mazuze; Sandra Cordera; Christian Scott; Patricia Barber; Dave Ledbetter and the Clearing; Lisa Bauer; Hanjin; Esperanza Spalding; Hubert Laws; The Flames – Official Reunion; Gang of Instrumentals; Gazelle; Monique Bingham; Danilo Perez & John Patitucci; Jack van Poll, James Scholfield and Hein van Geyn; Guitafrika {Steve Newman, Eric Triton and Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla; Cape Town Tribute Band {Nick Williams, Wesley Rustin and Denver; Furness} joined by Buddy Wells, Mike Perry, Errol Dyers, Ian Smith and Sylvia Mdunyelwa; Conversations {Victor Masondo, Prince Lengoasa, Kevin Gibson, Mark Fransman and Donvino Prins}; Chieli Minucci; Special EFX; Chuck Loeb; Carmen Cuesta; Cindy Blackman – Santana; Tony Williams; BeBe Winans; Hugh Masekela and Larry Willis; Don Laka; Jazzanova {Paul Randolph}; Feya Faku; Tortured Soul; Orlando Venhereque; Tumi and The Volume; Naima McLean; Songbook {Lwanda Gogwana}; Sekunjalo Edujazz Band; Citie; Chad Saaiman; Mathew Moolman; Lloyd Jansen

Check out some of the acts at:http://www.capetownmagazine.com/out/Lineup-for-Cape-Town-International-Jazz-Festival/116_22_11716

Bushfire 2011 - A celebration of African spirit

The House on Fire is easily one of the most amazing man-built places in Southern Africa. It's basically Swaziland's Owl House, just less depressing. A whimsical mix-match of craft, art, architecture, new Africa and African tradition, House on Fire is a rather odd dream built of cement, ceramic and nzima. And it plays host to the annual Bushfire Festival in Malkerns, Swaziland.

Since it's inception in 2007, Bushfire has grown to a 3-day, 3-stage festival expecting 20 000 visitors for it's 5^th birthday celebrations in 2011. It is one of the most popular International festivals on the African continent and exhibits some of the most amazing, pioneering talent in Africa.

Although this year's acts have yet to be announced, the line-up is bound to be good. Last year saw the likes of Ringo and Freshly Ground from SA and an array of stellar artists from across the continent, including Mozambique, Kenya and Swaziland (of course).

But Bushfire isn't just a musical gathering. It celebrates film, poetry, theatre, dance – if it's an artform, it's there. (OK, there are no mimes. Or clowns. Thank the entire pantheon.) And, most impressively, all the proceeds from the festival go to Orphan sponsorship NGO Young Heroes. 

The 2011 Bushfire Festival runs from 27 – 29 May. Day passes are between R150 – R400 and full festival passes from R400 – R650 pre-booked. You have a choice between regular tickets and a Golden Lounge pass, which gives you access to exclusive seating and a dedicated bar with waiter service. Tickets are available from Computicket.

For more info on House on Fire visit www.house-on-fire.com

For info on Bushfire, visit their website www.bush-fire.com or join the Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516102812#!/group.php?gid=18076203888

Check out the Young Heroes organisation at www.youngheroes.org.sz

AGH Soweto Sessions: Celebrating Mzansi

The really nzima thing about South Africa is the sheer range of talent we have, and music we offer. Our musicians are experimental, innovative and multifaceted. And quite often ahead of the curve. They dabble in everything from blues and jazz, to hip hop, to rock, to traditional jams. And sometimes all of them at the same time. SA is never quite as Rainbow as it is when it's singing.

The AGH Soweto sessions celebrate just this glorious phenomenon.

Based at Dorothy Nyembe Park in Soweto, and ongoing throughout 2011, the Soweto Sessions aim to give voice to SA artists just striking out into the limelight, as well as artists better known to the punters. Well, who can argue with a vision like that?

The sessions take place (or so we're told) on the first Sunday of every month in 2011. Tickets are around R30 and the setup is chilled. You're welcome to bring a picnic basket and a few dozen friends and just relax while the music goes on in the background.

Aimed more at the jazz, blues, roots aesthetic, the AGH Soweto Sessions promise an eclectic mix of South African talent and a good afternoon out.

Tickets are available on http://www.ticketbreak.co.za/sowetosessions

Get your ass to a Campus Invasion near you!

Campus Invasion 2011 is upon us, having completed the Potch leg and moving on to Maties tomorrow, 4 Feb.

It's hard to imagine a better way to kick off the year than Campus Invasion. The franchise is by now famous for it's contribution to the growth of SA artists on the verge of really taking off. 

Fire Through the Window at OppiKoppi 2008

This year's line-up is one of the best I've seen, with acts such as Wrestlerish, Fire Through the Window and Tidal Waves taking the stage. I just know in a year or three I'm going to be so heartily sick of hearing their names, due to rampant success and too much radio time. But right now I can only shout “Woohoo!” and get my bouncy boots on.

The occasional big names make appearances too. This year we can look forward to aKING (a band I still enjoy despite overplayedness, and that consistently delivers fantastic live sets), Zebra & Giraffe and Tumi and the Volume. 2011 really is a fantastic year for SA music.

There are a few names I would have liked to see on the line-up (Isochronous, Desmond & the Tutus and Kidofdoom spring to mind), but there is little by way of disappointment this year.

(I do wonder, however, WTF is up with Potch and Grahamstown? So many DJs, so many embarrassing moments a la Jack Parow. Campus Invasion is a clear case of 'supply and demand' and I'm afraid this just proves Gauteng is full of awesome and the rest of ya'll better catch up. Also that the makers of Campus Invasion know their audience. High five, right there.)

Wherever you may find yourself this February, popping by a Campus Invasion near you is bound to leave your heart bouncing in a joyful fashion. Tickets range from R50 – R80, depending on venue.

Remaining dates

Maties – 4 & 5 February

Cape Town – 11 February

Hatfield – 12 February

Joburg – 18 February

Grahamstown – 24 February

For more info visit the website at http://www.campusinvasion.co.za/

The countdown to STRAB 2011 begins

Hurrah! The warm up to STRAB 2011 is here, and that means jam sessions every Monday night, starting on 31 January 2011 at Cafe Barcelona.

For those of you not quite up to speed, STRAB is an annual festival/beach party situated at Ponta Malongane in Mozambique. More chilled than most SA festivals, and a bit cleaner thanks to the ocean, it's a great one to go to for those who aren't all that keen on bush-style hedonism. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty hedonism. But this is beach-style.

The 2011 festival takes place from 26 – 29 May. Bookings open on 31 January and tickets tend to go fast. Accommodation varies from camping to log cabins, depending on your own level of bundu-affinity.

Each year marks an interesting mix of both known and unknown artists. The good people at STRAB focus heavily on the quality of the choons provided, and seldom disappoint. It's a great opportunity to learn some new things and experience a slightly different vibe. It is a nzima party.

To keep up with developments for the festival or for more details, join their facebook group or check out the new website at http://www.strab.co.za/.

The jam sessions feature SA up-and-comers, shows billed to start at 7, but you know how these things go. Cafe Barcelona is offering food and drinks specials on the nights, so you may as well make an evening of it. Make a point to check out at least some of the gigs, and support local music.

RAMFest 2011 line-up announced

 RAMFest has announced their local lineup and it's looking to be a doozy. We're especially excited about appearances by Desmond and the Tutus, TUMI, Isochronous, Wrestlerish and Haggis & Bong. International acts are still to be confirmed, but at this rate, who needs 'em? We don't need to talk up RAMFest, the line-up speaks for itself. So check it out below.


RAMFest will be at Nekkies Holiday Resort, Worcester from 4 - 6 March; Wavehouse, Durban on 9 March; and Riversands Farm, Fourways on 12 March. Tickets range from R100 - R450, depending on type of admission and location and are available from Ticketweb. For further info visit http://www.ramfest.co.za/#/home or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2370253548.

Main Stage - Hosted by John Vlismas
Not My Dog
Die Antwoord
Gazelle
Zebra & Giraffe
Van Coke Kartel
Ashtray Electric
The Revelators
TUMi
Isochronous
The Great Apes
Wrestlerish
7th Son
Bittereinder
Blk Jks
Desmond & The Tutus
Mr Cat & The Jackal
Stepdog
The Pretty Blue Guns
Ree - Burth
Dance, You're on Fire
The Sleepers
Lonely Dave Ferguson
Mix N Blend (Live)

Tented stage by Meta4 Africa
Mind Assault
Contrast The Water
Knave
Down on the First
Sabretooth
The Dead Will Tell
Enmity
Moment of Clarity
The Broken Result
Infanteria
Haggis & Bong
Symphonic Schizophrenia
Juggernaught
Theatre Runs Red
A Walk With The Wicked
Axxon

Electronic pyramid by Griet
Tom Deluxx (Fra)
Haezer
B-Team
Double Adapter
Hyphen
SFR
Niskerone
Toby2Shoes
Psydstep
Frequency
Battle Beyond The Stars
Enough Weapons
El Gordo
Liver
Ill Tastic
Haasbroek
Tommy Gun
FunaFuji
Mr Sakitumi
Bruce WIllis
Jam Jar
P.H Fat
Counterstrike
Mr. Bong
Fletcher
Sedge Warbler

NERD in SA, courtesy of HANSA

First the good news – Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D will be performing in South Africa in February 2011. The rumours say it will be happening on the 12^th, but this is unconfirmed. Happiness is!

Pharrell and N.E.R.D. at a US gig

The good people at Hansa will be bringing these lauded performers – famous for their innovation and attitude – to South Africa as part of the Legends in the Making tour. It comprises 15 shows featuring the likes of Malaika, Zuluboy and DMOS. Pharrell and N.E.R.D will be gracing the final show of the tour.

The bad news is that if you're not a big Hansa fan, you're unlikely to get to go. Tickets will not be on sale. You can win entrance with a code featured on the underliner of Hansa bottle caps. Being spotted drinking a Hansa could make you a winner, and selected radio stations will be having competitions too.

One assumes the demon 5FM will be involved somehow. Much like the devil, it seems to have a finger in every pie. I am loath to encourage people to listen to the travesty that is, though. Rather drink a Hansa or six. And be there to cheer N.E.R.D on as SA's international appeal grows.