Freedom

By Marley

6de MK Avontoer part I

"I've lost myself, I've gone to hell, though I never get out" - New Holland. If you know the song it will be stuck in your head ‘cause it's stuck in mine and my fellow seerowers. You will think between 7 bands plus guest bands you will have something else stuck in your head. Nope I think most mornings one or three seerowers started to sing "Freedom" of New Holland but only the chorus. Its fine when it was a gig night cause that meant we could hear it and spear our brains a bit but on off days/nights sjoe.

My holiday started on the 15th of December when I lock the office. It would be a busy few days ahead but the excitement for my trip to Cape Town was even bigger.

The next few days I ran around busy getting my clothes together, buying my extremely "small" travel bag for Avontoer because on Saturday for Ali Campbell I will not have the time. Experienced now at going to all day concerts I packed an extra jean and shirt and phoned around to hear if any of my friends wanted to car pool. I ended up driving on my own to the stadium, bought a parking ticket and walked in, no guards asking my ticket nothing. Sure thing it was early and I watch Ali Campbell do his sound check, I expected the people to start flocking to the stadium at 14:00 nope just drips of people showing up.

Nice work on the bar and the people who ran and work it. The ticket system was easy to follow and the beer wasn't always as cold but it sure was great to a thirsty fan. I paid 500 bucks for Golden Circle what pissed me off later the night is that they started giving anyone GC arm bands...I understood why the organizers did it but it angered me. I want a refund of my 500 bucks hey!

In between friends I managed to spot Dave van Vuuren on stage his act didn't make sense. He got a supporting guitarist but the rest is back tracks? Okay, I didn't watch Idols but he was doing well. The Casterbridge Music Inovation Project also surprised me with two bass players in the band and a girl who sounds like Adele younger sister. Not long or it was my favourite, NOA on stage, a proud moment for all our veteran fans of the band and as friends to see them jam in our stadium, too bad the crowd was so little but the energy was there. I loved Goldfish set, I saw them last in 2007 and the group has certainly grown entertainment wise. Jamali eish this was a shocker, not with their voices but their outfits. If you are going to wear a greyhound skirt (a skirt so short it’s an inch away from the hare) then make sure you keep it down. I could not concentrate on their music as there was panties looking at us the whole time. After the show I could see the poor girl looked embarrassed and kept on pulling down the greyhound, poor thing. She's made her mark in Nelsparta and its okay you 3 honeys are very sweet and can come back anytime (sure the guys won’t complain). With all the second high smoke around the atmosphere was set for Ali to come on stage. I loved every second, we all moved to the groove that was sweet reggae and with a bar just next to GC no one was really complaining. My favourite was "Red red wine" and "Can't help falling in love (fools rush in)" I was transfix.

Gooph with Jamali -
courtsey of Mpumalive.com

Marley, Christine and Lee -
courtesy of LookLocal Lowveld

After the show it was straight home and traffic was a breeze, the next day I had to travel up to Middelburg. On Sunday my phone buzzed away as tradigdy hit NOA, their van which they have tour in decided to break down. Thank goodness it was still in Nelsparta and somewhere out in the Karoo, quick sms's, BBM, tweets and FB messages flew around in search of a van the band could use on tour but no luck, a day later they did manage to send off into the sun rise for Stellenbosch.

My flight to Cape Town was a scary one; the last time I flew was an international flight 7 years ago. I also managed to forget my pillow somewhere on OR Thambo and it sucked for 4 nights to be me. The captain did warn us of "a slight turbulence" but he didn't warn us about the speed bump we had hit in the air just above Kimberley. I saw people on that flight kiss the floor when we got to Cape Town International, a meal later my pick up, Jaco came down from Stellies. We stopped at the legendary house that I kept on hearing about, the DPK huis in Jamestown, Stellenbosch. I was totally confuckualted with all the names in the office but over the course of Avontoer I learnt their names. It was nice to put faces to the names I had on my email correspondences and I couldn't stop looking at the old Avontoer and other DPK past events posters.

A view from the DPK House

Bertie (Zinkplaat fame) drove me into the "Eike Stad" to find other seerowers, we stopped at the last place he dropped them off but they have moved on a few blocks. Eventually close to the "Skuins huis" he dropped me off and hastily introductions was made. I wanted a beer after that craze ass flight and waiting on the airport so that was the mission. Our "tour guide", Tunet, kept on telling us of all these cool places but most of them were close due to the fact that the students are not in town. We finally managed a cold draught at the "De Eike" and we also spot where our pre party were going to be at the "Aan de Braak Theater". I had a mission from Mimi to find some ginger (the root not a human ginger) and after the ginger mission Tunet wanted us to go where we were going to party the night. I wanted a shower to cool off and wash off the slight jet league that has been building up by now. I've been up since 5 am that morning and the sun was turning that time to 5pm...you do the math here. Beer Adriaanse, the drummer of Zinkplaat, came to pick us up and we got the DPK house to see that our numbers have grown. A nice shower later most of us were ready for tonight party and it was near 6pm and the sun still shining brightly. NOA stopped after their long journey down and it was good to see them, a game of hacky sack, introductions all round and finally we all off to Aan de Braak Theater.

The theater is settled just above the Dros and its super small but homely. On the stage a few from the bands did acoustic sets and with our sponsored Juger bags being handed out. The bag contained 2 MK Avontoer shirts, a MK Avontoer cap, Tassies lanyard & metal cup and a Ray Band CD. I would have loved a pair of Ray Bands but hey can't look a gifted horse in the mouth. The cigarette smoke started to get too much for me and I took a break outside of the teather. A few hours later it was back in the car back to DPK house for some well deserve rest that is not a tent before we all have to leave for the actual tour. Stories of a huge spider in the living room where some us slept was only told much later on in the tour...glad that little bug stayed the hell away from me then or was that something scratching my back?

The next morning we all looked for coffee but at last nothing was found and in between seerowers showering you had to find a place to brush your teeth. I thought our little group at the house was all of the seerowers -and how wrong was I when we got to the bus stop. The old school bus showed up and it took us to the actual bus stop. The mighty seerowers crowd look like a small concert and immediately friends were made, allies drawn up and smoke or 3 was lit, the second "luxury" bus arrived with all the band names one minus one...No One's Arc. So places were shot gun and I though everyone will head for the luxury bus...no the old school one filled up first. I was on the luxury bus with Robby, Mimi and Bongs of NOA and some members of December Streets & Loveglove (which I found out later only) and off we were to Langebaan. The trip was a bit long and conversations still filled the air along with excitement.

The Old School Bus - 6de MK Avontoer

Inside of our bus for the next 2 weeks

At Club Mykonos it looked like we stopped in Greece. Beyond fancy, a play ground for the elite and yet humble we saw a mini carnival rides and the little white apartments spread along the coast line. We entered the venue where the show was going to be and the people there looked at us as if we are the travelling roadies for The Rolling Stones. Of course as seerowers we all went exploring and took nice walk around the place that was filled with holiday makers, small families and Jet Ski’s. A cold draught called our name and we were back at the venue having a drink, in between the bus, the back stage and the bar we made our kuier. A round of putt-putt was in order with  Lee, Bongs, Robby and I.  Robby won with me in second place followed by Lee and Bongs.  There was 3 hole-in-ones which was pretty sweet since it came from 3 different players. We got back our deposits for the balls and putters and we rushed out of there go buy an ice cold drink.

Mykonos, Langebaan

A view that will never be forgotten -
Mykons Langebaan

Some putt putt with the Arc boys -
Club Mykons Langebaan

When you so early at the venue you get to see some sound checks and Loveglove Pyrotechnics was one of them. Before Avontoer I didn't know much of them other than they are from Stellenbosch and they a bunch of craze looking rockers. But Dimitri and his crew showed us with sound check and they were the opening band for the first gig of Avontoer. People slowly started to show up, the alcohol levels started to rise and the sun didn't seem to cool down one bit. Sitting back stage drinking was kind of new, a lot of my mates think I do this regularly, no I don't, I have to work 99.9 % of the time so it was nice to chill with my sister Mimi and the rest of the crew without working. Loveglove was certainly a show that we couldn't miss and neither was December Streets with a stand in bass player named Morne (their original man was overseas during tour) and I wasn't disappointed. Singing along to their two hits "Fire through a window" and "Wants to know my name" they also did a cover of Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man" (which also became a favourite among seerowers).

Backstage at 6de MK Avontoer -
Club Mykons Langebaan

Next was our local talent No One's Arc minus Gooph who was still in Nelsparta for business reasons. As I encouraged my seerowers to join me in the jumping and the singing a lot of them became instant fans of the groove that is NOA. The sun was just messing us photographers around as it was directly behind the stage and all our photos are a bit dark. After their show Mimi and I went to change our outfits (cause you get too sweaty after jumping up and down to "Stanley") and Mimi introduced me to Jayden the old school bus driver, real cool guy.

In between the bus, the back stage and the bar it got too busy but never the less the spirit was there and by dark Jack Parow and Van Coke Kartel showed up. VCK didn't travel with us directly but it was great to see them again. I personally don't like Jack Parow music but as a guy who wears a funny hat he is cool. When VCK started to play I decided its time to catch some sleep and tip toed to the back of the dark bus only to walk into poor Morne of December Streets legs, sorry dude. By 12:30 the bus was started and the bands/seerowers started to climb in which woke all of us in the back. But we left Langebaan and it was an all night drive to Struisbaai, sleeping in a bus is a trick. I was lucky to have had two seats for myself and the sleep did me good when I woke up the bus was standing still and I could still hear snoring. I looked out the window to see that we were standing somewhere parked as the bus drivers took a turn to sleep, the sun was rising over the mountains and thank goodness there was a clean public toilet near by. An hour later we were back on the road to Struisbaai and a nice cup of coffee would have been nice but it meant we can still snooze a little more.  After another stop at a garage for a toilet break, the seerowers attacked that poor garage shop buying up water, coffee and snacks.

A view of the beach next to camp -
Struisbaai, Western Cape

We finally arrived in the small town of Struisbaai to see our camp site is already set up right next to the beach, smooth. The wind was blowing a bit and shot gun for tents (with the Nelspartans that took up about 4 tents and it was our hood) we were informed that we will be getting some breakfast, yippee. French toast, pork sausages....it didn’t matter all we cared about was the food. After brekkie it was a bit of exploring time and when it is low tide you can walk on the rock reef and spot some fishes, craps and star fish. Hide tide meant bringing the ocean literally to our door step but since we knew of the rocks meant no swimming close to camp. The bathrooms was clean and a nice refreshing shower was very welcomed, as with any holiday you get a period or two where do nothing...and you get bored. So into town we walked to buy some snacks, draw cash and found a pub where I had the best cheese sauce chips. A lekker talk with Jaco van der Watt of Catch that Rabbit (they made NOA "UFO" video) and getting to know some of the other seerowers. A free wine tasting bar was also on my list and certainly enjoyed that one buying a nice Merlot from there. Back at camp the party atmosphere was there as it was a night off but the weather wasn't playing along with clouds, light drizzle and wind coming up. Till the light faded the game of hacky was played and introduced to the rest of the camp. Watching the pro's like NOA play it and guys from the Friendly Lemons, December Streets and Loveglove was time killer. Time for dinner again and we have to get use to eat dinner during bright day light, a camp fire was made and the music jammed but the wine has spoken and taken me to bed just before midnight.

Exploring the rocks with Robby -
Struisbaai Western Cape

The next day seemed to be improved in the weather and kicked off with a round of hacky again. After breakfast we were told that the bus is going to the beach were the travel touch rugby or touchies as its known is being played and also a beach were we could swim, yay. We were handing out Avontoer flyers and the first stop for me were at the closet bar, a special of just 20 bucks - double vodka, lime and sprite - lemonade in my mind. We walked to the beach were we met up with Dylan and Milla and had a nice swim in the ocean. I love calm waters a bit more as you can float in it, after a good swim it was back on the beach to dry and polish off the drinks. Back at the bar it was another round of specials waiting for the bus to take us back, yes two hours really fly when you are having fun. Hacky was played by the boys in the parking lot and the song "Make the circle bigger" was being sung, the bus arrived and it was back at camp. Shot gun for the 4 showers between the girls and we had to get ready for the gig at Cheers pub which was a quick drive from where we were camping.

The famous hacky sack game being played -
Struisbaai, Western Cape

The set up reminded me half of Innibos with the stage under a huge tent, Tassies travelling bar and at least there was some food for sale in form hot dogs, chips and hamburgers. Now one thing you got to remember from the Cape is that it’s bloody hot during the day light but once that sun sets you grab your jeans and jacket because it gets chilly. A lesson learnt at Cheers pub that you must take an extra pair of leggings or jeans with or just wear it and be hot. bless Lee heart still for sending us some jeans and jackets. It was the Friendly Lemons first round on the Avontoer and they are so cute, they haven't been together for long but with practice this band will certainly grow. Gooph by this time have showed up in Struisbaai after his flight down and the full NOA energy was back on stage. Again they proved to everyone that no matter if you know their music or not they will get you jumping and swinging. Die Tuindwergies was up next and for those who don't know our very own Mimi does back up vocals for their song "Sy sê".

The December Streets -
Cheers Pub, Struisbaai

The December Streets -
Cheers Pub, Struisbaai

The crowd -
Cheers pub, Struisbaai 

Deez and Lee -
Cheers Pub, Struisbaai

No One's Arc -
Cheers Pub, Struisbaai

Mimi did backing vocals for Die Tuindwergies on one of their songs -
Cheers Pub, Struisbaai

The night was a little blurry for me but never the less the crowd went bonkers when VCK was on, they actually managed to bend the metal barrier that was in front of the stage and a team of strong men team formed which included security guards, tour manager and a couple of seerower boys. This is where I got to watch Jett of VCK rip his guitar to pieces, that man is very talented and good looking! Just before Jack Parow the crowd was asked to move one step back so that they can reinforce the nearly bent barrier. Jack have a live band with him now, still DJ Naadelkooker but he got a girl drummer who downs a Red Bull in her bikini before starting the beat. At this stage I was glad he didn't do the whole tour and I sneaked off with a friend to the bus to wait till we had to go home around 01:30.

Morning broke and I found myself alone in the tent, my roomie slept on the bus for some reason, and it was damage control not only for our slightly sun burns but our livers too. We had to start packing up to get going to the next stop was Hermanus for our Christmas break and I must be honest I totally forgot it was going to be Christmas then.

You can read the next two parts at "She wants to know" and "Where is my shoes?"