Big Blues Festival

The stage is set and the countdown has begun to the biggest local blues event in South Africa! On 4 & 5 March 2011 the picturesque town of Kleinmond on the Cape Whale Coast will play host to 16+ of SA’s premier Blues performers.

This is not just another music festival. So what differentiates it?

A good cause. It is coordinated by volunteers through the not-for-profit local Tourism Bureau, with the aim of attracting visitors to this beautiful region that lies within UNESCO’s Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve – an area that is wild and wonderful. Profits from the festival will be ploughed back into the community by identifying projects to the benefit of the community.

A showcase of the best of local cuisine (traditional and adventurous), paired with local wine and a family-friendly environment with a kids’ club & supporting local arts & crafts.

The setting next to the magnificent Kleinmond Lagoon, adjacent to the well-known Blue Flag beach.

The festival invites you to stay for the weekend and explore all that the region has to offer. Festival ticket holders are eligible for an array of discounts – from accommodation to attractions and activities.

Organic music, played by true master musicians of the Blues. As one of the favourite performers says: “Blues is neutral in a world of extreme ups and downs. It makes sense to me to hear and play it”.

Guitar master Dan Patlansky is returning to the festival due to popular demand… in only ten years on the music scene, Dan Patlansky is one of the busiest and most respected blues artists to ever come out of South Africa!

We are pleased to announce that not only is the impeccable Albert Frost performing, but we will also see a reunion of the Blues Broers. The legendary Blues Broers have returned to the stage after a hiatus of seven years. New drummer Tim Rankin brings his considerable experience to the rhythm section with Rob ‘Big Bob’ Nagel deftly juggling bass and harmonica. Albert Frost performs on a classic selection of electric and acoustic guitars whilst ‘Dr.’ John Mostert’s whiskey tinged vocals pour out the blues. In a corner of the stage keyboard player Simon Orange hammers a boogie-woogie for the crowd.

Doc John will appear on stage again with the ever entertaining and respected  Boulevard Blues Band who have been rocking music lovers at venues, events and festivals in South Africa for over a decade – the Boulevard Blues band liberated their fans with nourishing soulful Blues and Rock.

Piet Botha

We have linked up with some true legends, old and new on the South African music scene such as Anton Goosen, Piet Botha, Akkedis & Valiant Swart to bring you Blues, and a twist of Rock ‘n Roll…  Anton Goosen het ‘n lang pad gestap vandat hy as student per trein gereis het van Heidelberg na Oos-Londen om ‘n 15-minute “set” te doen by ‘n plaaslike verskeidenheidskonsert en sy aptyt vir vernuwing en musikale eksperimente is nog hoeka nie gestil nie. Piet Botha has been making music for over 30 years, his passion and talent combine well with Akkedis who have been performing for 10 years to present The Lyzyrd Kyngs. Valiant Swart word bestempel as een van die voorste Afrikaanse liedjieskrywers van die afgelope twintig jaar. In 2001 het kykNet hom op ‘n blues-reis na Amerika gestuur. Die resultaat was die dokumentêre TV-reeks, Veertig dae deur die Delta , waarmee kykers getrakteer is op Valiant se blues-avonture in Tennessee, Mississippi en Louisiana.

The human beat-box, Dave Ferguson’s solo show uses only harmonica, human beat-box and vocals, recorded live loops and then layering and building those loops to construct a song. Expect in-your-face dance-style grooves served up in a Deep-South style.

For energy like nothing else, the amazingly talented Gerald Clark feels that Blues has taught him much about music and life and like most bluesmen, this most mystical and magical of music genres has created in him a need to befriend the long open road.

The ladies hold a special place on our stage – we are pleased to welcome back Natasha Meister and Charlene King, the lead lady of the smoking hot Diamondback Blues Band…  a young band consisting of older musicians who are passionate about the blues. Real blues, but with wide appeal. Canadian Born Natasha Meister, guitarist and singer / songwriter, has been hitting up the music scene from a very young age and has graced stages in London and Canada with the Great Lakes Blues Society.

Dan Patlansky

Robin Auld

Gerald Clark

Also see In the Deepend, our local Tribal Echo, Robin Auld (on tour from England), The Studerbakers and The Black Cat Bones.

Book your Early Bird tickets to the BIG BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL now online at Computicket or at the Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau (14 Harbour Road, Kleinmond). R200 per person includes access to the two day festival on 4 & 5 March 2011 to see 16 of SA’s premier blues artists perform on one stage. Plus we have a beer tent, local wine fair and the best of local cuisine on offer. Children under 12 enter free and will be entertained at the kids’ club.

www.bigblues.co.za