LIFE IN COLOR, World’s Largest Paint Party, To Launch in Johannesburg in September

Life In Color infuses electronic music's top DJs, world class production, unique and stunning character performers, and a custom built paint delivery system. A countdown to the paint blast creates one of the most high energy and unforgettable experiences in the entertainment industry.

 

In 2013, the tour reached over 25 countries, with a plan to expand the following year.  At that point, headlining DJs had included Afrojack, Axwell. Alleso, Benny Benassi, Chuckie, R3hab, etc. Regular features in shows beyond paint blasts included aerial acts, stilt walkers, contortionists, and fire shows. In 2013, Life in Color began to hold larger music festival events, featuring multiple stages and a larger line-up.

 

In 2014, Life in Color festival was expanded to two days and received a total attendance of 60,000. The event was headlined by Adventure Club, Borgore, The Chainsmokers, Diplo, Kaskade, Nervo and Madeon, among others, and also featured an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Most people covered in paint at one time’.

 

On Saturday the 5th of September the JHB Expo Centre, Nasrec, will be transformed into a paint and musical paradise.  

 

Life In Color World Tour Trailer SOUTH AFRICA 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLBOu7uqh3s

 

Tickets go on sale on Friday 5th of June at http://spicedproductions.co.za/ and artist announcements to follow.

 

Sat, 5 September 2015: Life In Color South Africa - Johannesburg

Venue: JHB Expo Centre, Nasrec - Cnr Nasrec & Rand Show road, Johannesburg

Event Starts: 7pm

Ticket Link: http://spicedproductions.co.za/event/life-in-color-johannesburg/

Ticket Prices: all pricing excludes booking fee

 

General: 

Early Bird: R299

Phase 1: R399

Final Phase: R499

 

VIP:

Early Bird: R499

Phase 1: R599

Final Phase: R699

 

VVIP: R2000 

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LifeinColorSouthAfrica

 

 

BRITISH ROCKERS THE KOOKS ADDED TO ROCKING THE DAISIES 2015 LINE-UP

One of this year’s most requested acts by festival fans, The Kooks, return to South Africa to perform their first public performance on the Main Stage at the 10th annual Rocking the Daisies Festival this year!

The celebrated group graced our beautiful shores in 2013 as part of an exclusive brand campaign to a select few who were lucky enough to get tickets – and they were met with rave reviews – but left many fans distraught about missing out.

The British indie rockers are the latest international group confirmed as part of a stellar line-up at South Africa’s premiere eco-friendly Music and Lifestyle Festival happening from the 1st to the 4th of October this year at Cloof Wine Estate in Darling.

In the months following the release of their latest critically acclaimed album, ‘Listen’, The Kooks have been enjoying a string of sold-out tour dates, confirming their status as one of the best live bands around.

‘Listen’ comes after a three-year hiatus and represents a bold change from their very distinct alternative, indie-rock sound.  Grounded in African funk and produced by young hip-hop pioneer Inflo, it has been labelled as the ‘album of their lives’.

Speaking about the album, frontman Pritchard says: "To me this album is about pure expression. Even the way we made the album felt fresh. We were really listening to what was going on around us, picking up ideas. The whole thing was much more natural."

The Kooks are: Luke Pritchard - vocals and guitar; guitarist Hugh Harris; bassist Pete Denton and drummer Alexis Nunez.

The Kooks compliment an international line-up that so far also includes German duo Milky Chance and Australian darlings, The Cat Empire. Local support acts Bongeziwe Mabandla, Fokofpolisiekar and PHAT have also been confirmed, with many more acts to be announced soon.

Phase Two of Rocking the Daisies ticket sales are still available to the public at R850* a ticket. Phase Three of ticket sales will open on 10 June with tickets on sale for R950*; however if Phase Two tickets sell out before this date then Phase Three will automatically kick in. Click here to get your festival tickets now:  http://nue.so/e5emy5

Rocking the Daisies is proud to introduce Mobicred – a new payment option and an industry first that will allow festival goers to buy their tickets from R83 per month. The exclusive initiative by Seed Experiences and Nutickets does not require fans to have a credit card, just a simple sign-up procedure with a 24hour approval period followed by easy, minimum monthly instalments via debit order. To buy Rocking the Daisies tickets on the Mobicred payment plan, go to  http://mobicred.co.za/nutickets/

There is also good news for Glampers who have missed out on the sold-out Heartbreak Motel accommodation option: Based on popular demand, the festival has created a (limited) Daisies Plus exclusive camping area that includes:

•             A festival ticket

•             A separate and convenient festival entrance, right by the camping zone

•             A separate parking area, right by the camping zone

•             Access controlled private camping

•             An exclusive bar facility in the campsite

•             An exclusive lounge/chill area in the campsite

•             Exclusive premium ablutions

Campers will still be required to bring their own tents and camping equipment, as this is not included. The total cost is R1800 (excl. booking fee). Festival ticket holders who would like to upgrade to Daisies Plus can do so via http://nue.so/e5emy5.

More international and local artist announcements, Campervan, Walking the Daisies and Cycling the Daisies ticketing information will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

All ticket phases are valid for the full festival experience from 1 – 4 October 2015 at the epic Cloof Wine Estate in Darling. *Prices exclude booking fees, which include charges for the IT services, credit card/ bank related charges, fraud prevention, security control and other administrative fees related to the advanced festival ticketing management system. This only applies to online sales and does not apply to the cash sale tickets. 

For any ticketing queries and support please contact tickets@weareseed.co.za.

Submissions for local artists will close on Saturday, 30 May. Artist and Media submissions at www.rockingthedaisies.com

Facebook:           /rockingthedaisiesfestival

Twitter:                @RockingtheDaisy

Instagram:          /rockingthedaisies

YouTube:             /RockingTheDaisiesTV

#RTD2015

Johannesburg fans can catch The Kooks, Milky Chance and The Cat Empire Live at the Vodacom In the City festival at the iconic Zoo Lake on Sunday, 4 October. Visit www.vitc.co.za for more information.

Vodacom In the City

www.vitc.co.za

Facebook: /IntheCityJHB 



Twitter: @IntheCityJHB


Instagram: /IntheCityJHB

Email: media@vitc.co.za

 

The Geneva Ballet debuts at Joburg Theatre

The Geneva Ballet (Grand Théâtre de Genève) debuts in Johannesburg in June at the Mandela, Joburg Theatre.  

After recent visits to Cape Town and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the world-renowned Geneva Ballet, under the direction of Philippe Cohen, opens on Wednesday June 17 with Roméo & Juliette at The Mandela, Joburg Theatre and runs to Sunday June 21, 2015 for a limited season of 6 shows only.

During its Johannesburg season the company will celebrate the anniversary of the 100^th performance of this production of Roméo & Juliette.

Established in Switzerland at the start of the 19th Century, the Geneva Ballet is known for its rich repertoire of neo-classical and contemporary dance styles featuring highly skilled classically trained dancers and top choreographers.  

Joëlle Bouvier, one of several guest choreographers invited by the Geneva Ballet to enrich its repertoire, has with this production of Roméo & Juliette, re-imagined Shakespeare’s classic tragedy as a contemporary piece, re-visiting the ballet in an inventive way.  She has taken the essence of the story, its fundamental characteristics and choreographed around that rather than sticking strictly to the details of the play.  She turns the sequence of the traditional classic upside down - conversely beginning with the funeral ceremony and working retrospectively back to the beginning. It is driven musically by the strong, stirring music of the composer Prokofiev.

“Together, we unite our bodies into the gentleness and fury of this music; we let ourselves be inspired by the rhythm and its poetic nature to compose body movements, lifts, motions and fractures. All describe the passionate adventure of the two lovers”, says Bouvier.

 

The elegance of the costumes and the stage decor is offset by the vitality of the fight scenes, as the 22-dancer strong company creates a dynamic energy and an eye-catching aesthetic.

“Bouvier has stripped everything down, creating movement which, while technically challenging, innovative, and incredibly beautiful, never feels forced, and a plot consisting of only the most integral events.  It is as if she were leaving it up to the viewer to decide the specifics of who these two people are, what defines them, and what draws them simultaneously together and apart; and, of course, these are the questions which make this story timelessly relevant.”     Ann Rogovoy, The Rogovoy Report (USA)

 

The company is considered one of the most original dance companies in Europe, excelling in variations of the classical ballet vernacular through innovative artistic collaborations. With an average age of 25, Geneva Ballet is a company that features youthful dancers from around the world and includes the South African Angela Rebelo, niece of well-known South African actors Nicky Rebelo and Jennifer Steyn Rebelo.

 

As a major component of its two-week long visit to Johannesburg, the Geneva Ballet company, with a focus on choreography in a variety of forms and expression, will be involved in a collaborative project with South African choreographers and dancers. This unique project will involve four local choreographers, Gregory Maqoma, Mamela Nyamza, PJ Sabbagha and Fana Tshabalala with Nathanaël Marie from the Geneva Ballet and will take place at the Soweto Theatre, the Dance Space in Newtown, University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture and at the Hillbrow Theatre from June 8 - 14. The creative result of this collaboration will be showcased in partnership at the Soweto and Wits Theatres on June 13 and 14 respectively.

 

The Geneva Ballet Johannesburg 2015 visit has been made possible thanks to the support of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia. The Johannesburg season is as a result of the close collaboration between the Joburg Theatre, Geneva Ballet and Zelda Productions and with further support from the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa and the collaborative effort of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in South Africa.

 

Roméo & Juliette performances are from Wednesday 17 June - Friday 19 June at 8pm, Saturday 20 June at 3pm & 8pm and Sunday 21 June at 2pm.

Tickets  range from R180 to R350 and are on sale via the Joburg Theatre website www.joburgtheatre.com  or by calling the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.  

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling 011 877 6853.

In The Purple Seat: Justin Serrao

We had the amazingly talented Justin Serrao in studio with us for a chat last week, here is what you missed.

You just came back from a UK tour, how was that?

It was epic- we went with the Parlotones and we did the UK- we did London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, and Dublin. It was an amazing trip, playing with the Parlotones- they have huge crowds out there, it was an experience.

So what was the best part of this tour?

It’s all great, but highlights of it- Manchester was definitely my favourite and Glasgow.

You said that you went with the Parlotones- how did that happen?

We are all from the West Rand, and Glen, the bassist, and I play golf together.  A lot of deals get made on the golf course.

Have you always had a passion for music? How did it start?

Yes, I’ve always played guitar. I actually started playing the bass when I was 9 years old and playing live since I was 13 years old. It’s what I’m meant to do.

Do you have any passions besides music?

Golf, it’s just a good balance from being in the clubs and pubs and then going into the greenery.

Do you have any celeb crushes?

Rolene Strauss, she’s beautiful and studying to become a doctor.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given?

This too shall pass.

What is the most embarrassing song on your IPod?

Boys to Men- End of the road, My kind of girl… The classics

Who are your favourite bands/singers?

I really like country music so people like David Ramirez, Noah Gunderson,  Jason Isbell, Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan.

How do you handle mistakes during performances?

Pretend that it was supposed to be part of the show, you just carry on. As soon as you stop, people think that you suck.

Where would you like to perform the most?

Nashville and Texas.

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

I always wanted to become a geologist, I’ve always enjoyed looking at rocks.

How do you balance having a career with friends and family obligations?

It’s tough, because my working hours is basically from Thursday until Sunday night, so I get Monday to Wednesday off most of the time. So I miss a lot of family lunches and getting to see my friends on Friday nights. It’s definitely not easy.

Written by Ghia ten Doeschate

In The Purple Seat: Boombox v2

The BOOMBOX version two has the power to turn anything into a speaker. Our friends at ePromo gave us one to test this claim.

At first glance this little capsule shaped wonder doesn’t look like much, but this little portable, easy to use party in your pocket has the potential to play your music as loud as you want to, assuming you find a surface that vibrates at the same rate as the device.

It comes in several different colours and uses vibration technology to turn any object or surface into a speaker. IT also comes with a 3.5mm jack that is compatible with most phones and music players, dual mode power,   a cord that wraps around the inside of the device and a rubberized scratch resistant coating. This little guy is very user friendly and takes up very little space.

So basically the instructions are simple: Plug the jack into your music player, stick the detachable front piece to the surface of your choice and bam, instant speaker.

The verdict? Its super compact design makes it super convenient to carry around, but the wrap around cord may prove to be problematic after multiple uses. This little gadget is fun to experiment with on various surfaces and promises hours of entertainment to its user. Definitely something worth having if you enjoy experimenting with technology.

 Written by Ghia ten Doeschate

           21 SONGS FOR 21 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY

If you need one reason to be Proudly South African, MUSIC is that one reason. Before freedom was what children were born into, the government tried to take away homes, education, unity and lives but they couldn’t take away their music. Even now we go through tough times as a country, but we will always have our music. The main acts of the nights included Kurt Darren, Steve Kekana and Johnny Clegg. Among these were other new and older acts that lit up the stage with passion and drive.

Victor Masondo, the Musical Director, was the bass player as well as the MC for the evening. He inspired the audience with his wise words.  Throughout the evening, there were songs of many languages, Victor said, we need to 

“learn different languages to understand each other rather than let it divide as we have so done before.”

 He even joked about one of the songs “Kahulesa” which was sung by Mama Dorothy Masuku, meaning hurry up.  He joked saying that back in the day they used to sing it to hide their beer away from the police when they came. A few of them would sing and dance for the police singing Kahulesa, mean while the guys in the back would hide their beer from the warning of the songs.  Every story he told was light hearted, funny and non-political or racist. He had a passion for music and South Africans as a united front.

Mama Dorothy

One of the songs that stood out the most for me was one of the Reggae songs, with the words saying “Different colours, one people.”  

Kurt Darren rocked the stage with crowd pleasers, mainly Kaptein and Loslappie.

This really got the crowd going. 

Johnny Clegg, started off the second half, with Sipho Mchunu, bought the crowd to their feet. Watching these two legends was one of the highlights of the evening. Clegg told a beautiful story about the past and the present. 

 Ending off with the legends was Steve Kekana, came on stage and showed South Africa how it’s done. After he sang, Victor said had spoken to Steve and in their conversation agreed that they do not feel sorry for those who cannot see, but feel sorry for those who have no vision. I agree with them. If we do not have vision we cannot move forward nor can we embrace change for the better.

It was truly an honour watching the legends of South Africa. I would never change my experience for anything. If there is ever one thing that will bring us together and proudly so, music will be that uniting factor. Always has been and always will be.  It is my personal opinion that if you need a glimpse of hope, faith, passion, reason (and not just within our country but within yourself) go and see the show. 

The past was a struggle, the present is undetermined and the future will be the change but music will always be there to guide and unite us.

Below are a few views from Twitter followers on the show 

Written by Shannalee Doran 

Kirsten Claire live in studio 17^th March

Kirsten-Claire brings us her latest single, “Shatterproof”. Wanting to be singer from early on in life, Kirsten-Claire persists through hardships that many musicians have to face, like working hard on a song and not getting the recognition they deserve. Now, however, Kirsten-Claire  is being recognized her true talent and artistry.  Today we met up with her in studio and she told us all about her new single, upcoming events and her plans for the future.

Shatterproof, was written by Pamela Sheyne and Aron Friedman, published by Shampeyne Song Limited, rRed Cap Radio, Jacaranda,Kfm, Algoa, East Coast, Radio Today, 2oceans  vibe and many more around the country. and many more around the country. Recorded at Pop Planet Studios JHB and performed by Kirsten-Claire of course. Kirsten-Claire and her team are doing a good job promoting the song as it already has air play on stations like 947, 

According to Kirsten-Claire, on her website in her bio, she says “This song is entirely me. So much so I’d like to think, three singles deep into my career, that this fourth chapter endorses a sound I can happily and comfortably call my own.”

‘Shatterproof’ takes me to a space and place, musically, but it’s not out of my comfort zone,” she adds. “I’ve always loved rock and reinterpreting classic standards, so getting the opportunity to sink my soul into a song that called on my edgier, more organic side I jumped in head first!”

Kirsten-Claire is a true artist in every way and not just the average Joe who thinks they can sing, as we joked about in studio today, she has worked hard and has never given up. She finds inspiration in life and all aspect of it. She is not an artist that should be taken as a joke or someone who will be a one hit wonder. She is someone to keep an eye on as her career sky rockets.

You can catch Kirsten playing at the following places of the next few weeks:

                21^st April Cradlestone mall

2^nd April Cresta Barnyard- This is an event for the SPCA to raise awareness and funds, get your tickets now.

5^th April Beer House

If you wish to get hold of Kirsten-Claire you go to the following places:

                www.kirsten-claire.com

                https://instagram.com/_kirstenclaire21_/

                https://twitter.com/_KirstenClaire_

                https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirsten-Claire/1403022366660055

                https://www.youtube.com/user/KirstenClaire21

                https://soundcloud.com/kirstenclaire21-1

               

 Written by Shannalee Doran 

Interviewed by Ghia ten Doeschate and Shannalee 

Interviewee Kirsten-Claire