Have I Told You? – Spring Family Day at Blue Moon

By Marley

“Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'” - Robin Williams

Living in the Lowveld has it benefits, and one of them being our amazing weather. Winter 2013 was a pansy in comparison to last year‘s snowy, windy winter. Blue Moon has announced that they will be hosting a Spring day family picnic, but get this: it’s at Blue Moon this time and in celebration of Spring 2013!

Blue Moon presents -
Spring Day Family picnic

Giving the Botanical Gardens a skip, it’s a daytime picnic set on the mountain. Most people have never seen the beauty of Blue Moon in the day, you can see deep into the Lowveld valley, see the great mountains surrounding you and of course the soft green grass. But who are they bringing to kick off the season of fresh, new life? Jeremy Loops, Tailor, Matthew Mole and Nahkane Toure!

These 4 artists are currently the youngest, up and coming musicians on the scene at the moment. Regular readers of the blog will know I’ve been ranting and raving about Jeremy Loops for the last few years. With good reason, as this man is fantastic live. But here is a little write up about all of the artists set to play at this year’s spring day picnic.

Tiding you over -
Jeremy Loops new album

Jeremy Loops is originally from Kommetjie (just outside of Cape Town) and is a child of the earth. Not only does he make music, he plants trees for a living with his friends from Green Pop. Jeremy’s music career was actually unplanned according to him. He performed at small Green Pop events and soon made his way to Up The Creek, Rocking the Daisies and Mieliepop (to name a few). His song “Mission to the sun (Howling)” which is probably his most famous festival song, was a bit hit on YouTube. The video was shot at Rocking the Daisies in 2011. Soon he was booked for other big name festivals like Oppikoppi and Splashy Fen and the rest is folk history.

Jeremy is different to any band you have seen before. His whole “band” fits into a suitcase almost… in the form of a loop pedal machine. He remembers quite a lot of loops and uses his hands, feet, mic, special voice box (which can pitch his voice on different levels), a baby toy and when he plays live, he asks the crowd to help.

Jeremy is a friendly guy and he has two great musicians who travel with him. Moko the rapper, and Jamie the saxophonist. The three of them bring people to their feet, their smiles make girl’s eyes twinkle and their energy makes everyone dance. This year Jeremy’s song “Power” hit the top on the big radio stations and DJ Fresh from 5FM liked him so much he invited to come to his studio to perform. We say well done Mister Loops!

Tailor at Innibos 2013

Tailor, what a girl, what an artist, what a voice and what a talent. Dark pop and a show that you can not miss, it’s that simple. She graced us with her presence at the MK Stage at Innibos this year and she wow’ed loyal and new followers. Her voice is powerful, capturing and beautiful along with songs that reach into your heart and soul. She makes you fall in love again and makes you remember things you seem to have forgotten. Her show is one that will make you sit there gaping, wine and food forgotten because if you look away for a minute you might miss something.

Her début song “Wolf” was a huge radio hit which was followed by “Indian”. Other songs include “Shapes like gun” and “Step Back”.  For Tailor, ‘The Dark Horse’ marks the end of her escape and the start of a new chapter.

“I love the drama in the album because it sort of sums up my life – lots of ups and downs, like a rollercoaster ride. It’s odd, but it’s also in your face. It’s not just like me, it is me.” - Tailor

Young Matthew Mole was the winner of the Red Bull ‘Get out of the garage’ competition last year. This competition is aimed at getting musicians like Matthew out of the dark dodgy pubs and into the sunshine of the music world. He reminds me somehow of Phillip Phillips and bit of young Denver. Matthew’s songs are sweet and amazing. He is the first SA artist to enter in at No 1 on iTunes South Africa within a week of his debut album. Impressive. What’s even more impressive is that ever since his songs have been playing on the radio, event owners and promoters have been hot on the keypads dialling up his number. He played at Sowing the Seeds 2013 (Rocking the Daisies sister festival) and Oppikoppi where I believe that his show was unforgettable.

If you like Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, and other folk artists you are going to love Matthew. “If you had to force something out of me, I'd tell you that I play Folk music. Folk music with an Electronic back bone. I have so many influences, ranging from the people everyone's heard of, like Mumford & Sons, to people like Gold Panda.” says Matthew on his Just Music profile. But songs like “Autumn” and “The Wedding Song” are just two of a collection that stands out from his debut album “The Home We Build”.

Nakhane Toure -
"Brave Confusion" new album

Nahkane Toure’s name is still fresh among music fans in South Africa yet his song “Christopher” was play listed on major and campus radio stations. At 25 years old this Eastern Cape born muso who makes “guitar music” or as his Facebook page says “A guy, a guitar, a voice, sometimes bass and drums, other times a back track and loops. There.” His show at Oppikoppi this year had some fans in tears, tears of joy and tears of appreciation. A show that stood out for those who fought the dust and sat down for it.

His debut album “Brave Confusion” was released online just under two months ago and already Nakhane’s name is growing faster than weeds.  As from his Just Music profile “While not losing his love for 60s and 70s soul music, his love for 'guitar music' and 70’s avant-grade fusion-jazz grew, discovering bands and artists such as: Radiohead,  Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, Velvet Underground, Iron & Wine, Nick Drake. But on top of those international bands (if not at the core) was the appreciation for brilliant African musicians such as: Simphiwe Dana, Ali Farka Toure, Miriam Makeba, Baaba Maal, Fela Kuti and Thandiswa Mazwai.”

An interview I stumbled across on the MUSE Online website states that Nahkane is an interesting fellow:

MUSE: A fair share of your track titles are male names (Robert being my favourite) is that mere coincidence or is there a deeper meaning to it?

“I would have to say both. Yes, there is a deeper meaning, but once they were all written I took a step back and thought: ‘Oh okay, hmmm I have these song titles. Now what? What do I think of this?’ I didn’t think more of it. What I can tell you though is that they are the names of real people. Abraham of course uses the Biblical figure”

Never the less Nelsparta is blessed to have such talent in one show, under one roof, on one mountain, for one day. Pack those picnic baskets, bring cash for some CD’s, wine and ice cold sodas. Come enjoy Blue Moon’s hospitality on the famous mountain of rock. Put some flowers in your hair, blow bubbles, bring the kids where they can run around and climb on the rocks. Get the teenagers away from their phones and the TV (what is there to watch on a Sunday anyway?), some fresh air might do everyone well.

As always in conjunction with Blue Moon, Small Town Music blog will be selling tickets to the Spring Family Day. At R 100 pre-sale through us or you can drive out to Look & Listen Riverside Mall. It’s R 150 on the day or at the gate so if you buy it early you save R50! Extra money for some Okibwa wine! Pre-school kids get free entry, bonus.

There are also some *family packages available as follows:

Family of 3 (2 Parents + 1 child) = R240
Family of 4 (2 Parents + 2 children) = R320
Family of 5 (2 Parents + 3 children) = R400
*(for family packages please contact Anna Mart on 013 744 9033)

And Blue Moon’s hospitality doesn't stop there. They even have fantastic picnic baskets on sale! Enough to make anybodies mouth water! Their food is really fantastic and if I can advise anyone, you better book in advance for these yummy baskets!

Blue Moon Picnic basket -
R250 for 4 people including a bottle of Obikwa wine.

Another exsamble of a picnic basket -
R250 for 4 people including a bottle of Obikwa wine.

The gates open at midday so no rush to get there but then again for the best seats come early. Bring those picnic blankets, camping chairs, camera’s, friends that is family, sunscreen and of course your sunnies.

“You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” ― Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society