It also presents musicians with a platform to launch their latest music to a large fan base, connect ‘live’ with fans and market themselves not only to fans, but as well as to some of the industry influencers.
Misha Loots of Hilltop Live believes that festivals are ideal platforms for musicians to grow their careers. Hilltop Live are the organisers of various festivals including, OppiKoppi, Drumbeat, One Night in Cape Town, Post aKOPPIlyptic Punk Picnic, Hart van Windhoek, Campus Invasion, Ramfest, Jozi Fest, Old Mutual Music in the Gardens, Dullstroom Winter Festival, Kirkwood, Mbombela Music Festival and Karoo-Lus.
According to Loots, “annual music festivals attract a lot of media attention. An artist who plays a great set can get a lot of mileage out of it. Music festivals provide a platform for emerging artists as well as established artists to showcase their talent. We have a very strong focus on emerging artists and see them as an integral part of what we do at music festivals.”
Jade Adami of Seed Experiences, the people behind Rocking the Daisies, points out that music festivals hold great value for the industry. Adami says, “live experiences, like festivals, are becoming increasingly popular and more relevant in this digital age.”
“Music festivals grow the industry and help artists to get out there and be discovered both locally and internationally. They also help musicians boost their income as they make money out of festivals,” she said.
She adds that an official partnership with the non-profit organisation Bridges for Music, is in the pipeline and will contribute even further to discovering and developing South African talent.
“We have seven different stages, including the main stage so that we can cater for a variety of musical tastes and musical talents,” she says. “In this year’s festival we will have about 170 artists performing and four are from Bridges for Music.”
Here are some facts about the three biggest / oldest music festivals in South Africa:
Splashy Fen – started in 1990, it is probably the longest-running SA music festival.
Where: Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal
When: during April every year
What type of music: Across the board – from folk, blues, rock to electro dance and other contemporary styles. Splashy has helped kick-start many successful music careers
What’s it like: Often called the ‘ultimate outdoor experience’. It is a well-organised platform for both emerging and established artists.
For more information about the event or performance opportunities: Apply online www.splashyfen.co.za
Rocking the Daisies – started in 2005 and as an eco-friendly music festival, it has won a few environmental awards.
Where: Darling (77kms from Cape Town)
When: In October every year
What type of music: Across the board. This year’s line-up includes Crystal Fighters, Dan Patlansky, Francois van Coke, Arno Carstens, Bongeziwe Mabandla, among many others.
What’s it like: You can camp outdoors or alternatively make use of hotel and motel accommodation. It is a well-organised platform for both emerging and established artists.
For more info: http://rockingthedaisies.com
Performance opportunities: Contact organisers directly.
OppiKoppi Festival – started in 1994, and being 20 years old, it is one of the more established and biggest festivals in the country. In 2008, the Daily Mirror in London ranked Oppikoppi as the 4th biggest music festival in the world.
Where: Near Northam, Limpopo
When: During August every year
What type of music: Oppikopi started off by playing only rock music but has now added other genres such as jazz, house music, acoustic, etc.
What’s it like: Well attended. You can camp outdoors or make use of alternative hotel/motel accommodation. A well-organised environment for both emerging and established artists.
For more info: http://www.oppikoppi.co.za
Performance opportunities: Contact organisers directly.
