Music Network Showcases The Best In Local Music

This October the very best South African-made music is set to soar when Music Network, a Breakout Agency initiative launches in Cape Town on October 13 at The Assembly, and ciulminating at Tanz Cafe in Joburg on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October.

Consider seeing the hottest music properties, new and well established in two venues over three very special nights. Add two of the most influential names in international music - Worldwide Executive and President of EA Music Group for Electronic Arts, Steve Schnur and Pangaea Entertainment Group, A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO brands-owner Sat Bisla, and what's apparent is everyone will be taking more than just great memories home with them after each show.

Schnur and Bisla's participation, expertise, networks and roles in the global industry will affect a potential reality shift for punter and player alike over this original and enterprising showcase series. Consider Schnur's part in bringing established stars, breakthrough new artists and award-winning composers to the various top-selling EA franchises. Add Bisla's rise from DJ to global music and media owner to each night's reveal, and it's patently obvious that this inaugural initiative is about to open a whole new world of possibility for all quick enough to buy in.

So, just who are the bands and groups invited to this exclusive assemblage? Cape Town's venue, The Assembly in Harrington Street is where Goodluck, Machineri, Taxi Violence, Pascal & Pearce and Louise Day will all share the stage on the opening night (Thursday, 13 October). Each band and artist will offer fans, new and discerning, something well worth seeing, hearing and capatalising on.





FLTR: aKING, The Graeme Watkins Project, Taxi Violence and Goodluck

  The unique series of showcases, under the Music Network banner, then heads south and makes Tanz Cafe in Johannesburg base for a two-night residency (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October). On the first evening the city will get to shar ein the best from aKING, Plush, Laurie Levine, The Rescu and Michael Loman. The final evening sets the stage for The Graeme Watkins Project, Evolver One, Farryl Purkiss, Lonehill Estate and Shadowclub to excite their international guests and local fans alike. Fifteen bands and artists, three nights, and an opportunity to captivate crowds caught in this rare spectacle.

Expect to spot music retailers, media, event coordinators and promotors between the curious and fiercely loyal fans lucky enough to buy a ticket before they sell out. If music moves you - full, part or play time - invest in a night or three in an experience set to profile the ever-evolving SA music scene like nothing before it.

Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za/assembly and http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/ - get yours now!

3rd World Spectator To Rock Gauteng

3rd World Spectator formed in late 2007, and debuted in early 2008 with an infectious blend of soaring, operatic vocals, haunting melodies, huge guitars and rolling drums. Their lyrical themes mimic the diverse hybrid of styles they incorporate into their music such as electronica, hard and indie rock, opera and pop.

Best known for their meteoric rise to first place during the Virgin Mobile Road To V competition in late 2008, they have been making headlines ever since. Not content to be just another local act, their performances transcend the ordinary. Part theatre and part rock star chic, their live performances are fraught with an energy that consumes the senses and elevates the soul. Sharing the stage with the likes of international bands such as Maroon 5 and One Republic confirmed their status as a highly engaging stage act.

3rd World Spectator has featured in every major publication, been named one of the Top 10 Acts To See in 2009 by Tonight, signed a major endorsement deal with PF Flyers International and their single, The Truth reached number 2 on the MK MXitMusic Top 5 and also made the MXitMusic Top 20 Biggest Songs of 2008.

The band has completed work on their debut full length album entitled The Theory Of Everything. The recording sessions took place at Sunset Recording Studios with award-winning producer and engineer Jurgen Von Wechmar (Springbok Nude Girls, Foto Na Dans, Jax Panik, Karen Zoid) at the helm of the production. The album was mastered by John Davis (U2, Florence & The Machine, The Prodigy, Snow Patrol, The Temper Trap) at Metropolis Studios in London, United Kingdom.

In June 2011 they signed a record deal with Universal Records and the album is scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, you can catch them during their Gauteng tour at one of the following shows:

18 October
Where: Firkin, Centurion with Alleen Na Desember
Entrance: Free
Time: 19h00

19 October
Where: Tanz Cafe, Fourways with The Olympic and Cold War Candy Drop
Entrance: R50
Time:19h00

20 October
Where: Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom with The Love
Entrance: R15
Time: 19h00

21 October
Where: Milano's, Vereeniging
Entrance: R30
Time: 19h00

22 October
Where: The Barnyard Theatre, Cresta with Prime Circle
Entrance: R50
Time: 14h00

Where: Arcade Empire, Pretoria with Dance, You're On Fire and CrashCarBurn
Entrance: R40 before 22h00 and R50 after 22h00
Time: 19h00

Prime Circle Live @ The Lyric Theatre

Winners of the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album, Prime Circle will be performing at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City tomorrow night. The long awaited arrival of this band to this glorious venue will see fans flood in and sing along to hits such as Breathing, Turn Me Into Stone, She Always Gets What She Wants and many more.

Date: Friday, October 7
Venue: The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City
Tickets: Computicket or the box office at Gold Reef City (R95 - 125)

A Night Not To Be Missed...

Joburg diners are in for a treat when two of the country's finest performers can be seen on-stage as Absinthe at the award-winning upscale Sandton restaurant, Le Canard on Saturday, 22 October.

Absinthe is the acoustic rock collaboration between the lead singers of WONDERboom and Sugardrive, Cito and Paul E. Flynn, where they have taken a supper club approach to some of your favourite songs from the last century. The concept is simple; no originals, just covers.

The fusion of these two uniquely diverse voices will be accompanied by acoustic guitars in an awesome show ranging from great alternative classics to contemporary favourites. Cito and Paul pay tribute to a way of life with their own unique signature performances in a relaxed, unplugged style ideally suited for this cosy setting.

Their programme will include easily recognisable hits, some of which are also included on their recently released album, A Rendezvous At Nirvana. Says Cito: "We finally get to live up to our French and sophisticated name! When Paul and I first spoke about how and where we wanted Absinthe to perform, we envisaged playing at intimate restaurants that had character and atmosphere. Le Canard will be a great change from the venues where we have performed before and the duet combination of only me and Paul will also allow for a more intimate performance in this wonderful restaurant."

In keeping with their innovative soiree concepts, hosts Le Canard will present a menu themed on the Absinthe liqueur. Expect wonderful herbal notes in the 4-course mouthwatering menu, with choices. Apart from an informal Absinthe tasting, the wines chosen to accompany dinner are the organic Ladybird range from award-winning Laibach Estate.

The ticket price of R380 is all inclusive of the performance, 4-course menu, liqueurs and wines. Booking is essential as seating is limited for this one night only musical journey experience. Reservations can be made on (011) 884-4597 or lecanard@icon.co.za. For more info, log on to www.lecanard.co.za or www.absintheband.co.za.

Bittereinder Speel-Speel Badges

Hey guys,

Afrikaans rap act Bittereinder has been busy expanding their range of paraphernalia and this here is their latest addition; a wooden badge cooler than any other you'll ever want to wear...

Rock the River SA New Year's Festival 2011/12

So, 2011 is speeding to an end and the party season is fast approaching. How will you be spending New Year's Eve? How about heading out to a kick-ass outdoor music festival with your friends, away from the madness of the surging inner-city crowds?

Now in its third year, Rock The River SA was created out of the need for an alternative New Year's Eve event where fans could go relax and enjoy South African music in an intimate, safe and healthy environment. With Cape Town being widely regarded as the party destination of choice for many South Africans come year's end, the options for non-mainstream professionally run events are far and few between; Rock The River SA has corrected this imbalance in an ever expanding market.

Rock The River SA continues to provide an exciting alternative to conventional New Year's Eve parties and this year's festival will take place from December 31 to January 2 at the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch, located 20 minutes from Cape Town along the N7, towards the West Coast. The organisers will once again bring along a brand new state-of-the-art sound and lighting rig to provide three epic stages for more than 100 acts expected to attend. This includes the Main Stage, the D&B and Dubstep stage and a third stage for Metal/Goth/Hard Rock and Punk. At present, the confirmed acts for this year's event include Fokofpolisiekar, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Half Price, Boombox Troopers, Reburn, Stone Collar, The Great Apes, Junkyard Lipstick, CY.STR, Thought Police, Witness To Wolves, Dutch Phobia, Cannon, Smugg Juggler, Jackal & Wolf, My Flawless Ending, Gritt (PE), Impalement Theory, a DJ line-up provided by RubaDub and Basscore, as well as the 420 Comedy Troop. (More acts to be confirmed. Line-up is subject to change.)

Participants in this year's Rock The River SA New Year's Festival can look forward to a well-planned event with all the amenities necessary to make an outdoor festival worth your while. This includes secure camping and parking, plenty of on-site security, swimming facilities, medics on site, clean, warm showers, a food and craft market with affordable yet tasty meals, bars with affordable drink prices, on-site ATMs, a VIP area, activities including ZORB ball, paintball and a foefie slide, tattoo artists, prize give-aways including the Float Your Boat competition and Best New Year's Eve costume and much more!

Tickets are available at the gate, Computicket, www.rocktheriversa.co.za, from participating bands as well as selected outlets that will be identified in time. Limited early bird tickets available at R150, three-day weekend pass at R300 presale or R350 at the gate and the one-day Sunday pass is available at the gate only at R150.

Things To Bring To Rock The River SA: an entrance ticket, tent, camping chairs, torches, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, camera, cap or hat, something warm, towels, headache pills, acoustic instruments, your hot sister/brother, money, sunglasses, condoms, swimming kit and good vibes!

Things Not To Bring To Rock The River SA: children must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21. No glass bottles (please decant your drinks into plastic bottles), littering (leave no trace; remove your camping litter), fireworks, domestic animals, graffiti/tagging, bad attitudes, weapons, independent sound systems, illegal substances, drinking and driving. There are braai areas available.

Book your tickets now to avoid missing out on the best New Year's Eve party ever!

Win! Win! Win!

Three lucky readers each stands the chance to win double tickets to see Karen Zoid live tomorrow, August 21 at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens as part of the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens concert series.

All you have to do is send your answer to the question below along with your details to isabel.smith07@yahoo.com.

Question: What was the title of Karen Zoid's first hit single?