Expect a showcase of not only the best in folk, blues, rock, indie and electro dance, but also some of the most exciting new acts to come out of South Africa in a long time.
Included in the four-day programme of over 80 artists are the likes of Tree63, Goldfish, The Rudimentals, Miriam Backhouse, Dan Patlansky, Plush, Gonzo Republic, Redflecks (U.S.), Kidofdoom, Southern Gypsey Queen, Syd Kitchen, Josie Field, Avatar, Crossingpoint, New Loud Rockets, Napalma, The Arrows and many more.
Snuggling up under the Southern Berg stars
The long-standing tradition of staking out a site, setting up camp and settling in for a weekend of fun and fellowship means the general camping areas will no doubt continue to be the first choice for many festival-goers. As always, entrance to these campsites is included in the ticket price and campers can also look forward to improved ablution facilities.
Family campsite
Many Splashy ‘veterans’ now have spouses and children in tow, making the centrally-located, cordoned-off family campsite an option well worth considering. It carries a R100 per vehicle surcharge (payable on arrival), but don’t forget that entry for children under 12 is free. Also situated in this area is the children’s marquee and entertainment zone, with a full programme of daytime amusements plus an evening child-minding service.
Kreef Hotel
Anyone mistakenly put off at the thought of ‘roughing it’, will be pleased to know that Kreef Hotel will be back at Splashy again this year, offering a hassle-free, comfortable camping alternative. After all, what could be easier than checking in to a pre-pitched and spacious tent, complete with mattresses and linen, to enjoy all the expected amenities of a ‘regular’ B&B at very affordable rates?
Visit www.kreefhotel.co.za for bookings and more information.
Smart Choice
No camping options allow any form of glass – it may be more ‘green’ than plastic (which is easily cleared up after the event), but broken bottles and the like are not only an immediate danger to festival-goers but also a long-term hazard to the livestock whose grazing pastures are being ‘borrowed’ for the long-weekend.
Other attractions
Aside from all the great music and fun outdoor activities on offer, festival-goers can also look forward to a bigger and more colourful Craft Market and an even more extensive selection of appetising treats in the Food Court.
Whether buying or just browsing, Splashy Fen’s ‘new-look’ Craft Market offers the widest-ever choice of original handcrafted wares, ranging from aluminium flutes and other musical instruments to pottery, basketry and fine-art, funky local clothing lines, jewellery and accessories. There will also be décor items for the home and garden, hammocks, solar-powered camping gear, goods crafted from pewter, silver, leather, crystals and recycled materials, plus authentic Native American arts, crafts and teepees, complementary health therapies and the opportunity to see one of SA’s top graffiti artists in action. And rest assured, Saswitch-enabled ATM facilities will be available around the clock for when the shopping bug bites!
Catering for all tastes
Prepare to be spoilt for choice in the Food Court, which is guaranteed to cater for all tastes with a range that encompasses everything from Chinese stir-fries to pastas, pizzas, vegetarian dishes, falafel wraps, potjiekos, seafood, Indian cuisine and meals for the health conscious. Some of the country’s biggest names in fast food will also be there, as will the bacon-and-egg rolls and butternut soup that have become firm Splashy favourites over the years!
Another welcome addition is a bigger and more extensive beer garden and bar area, operated once again by the Sani Round Table. As is the case each year, a percentage of proceeds will be donated to local charities, an exercise in which Splashy Fen organisers have long been proud to participate.
Tickets are available at Game stores (R300), Computicket (R350) and at the festival gate (R400). The price includes camping for the entire long weekend and entrance for children under 12 is free. For more information and the latest festival news, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.
PROGRAMME: GRANT ERSKINE MARQUEE
Thursday 20 March
18:00 Maisha
19:00 Lizé
20:00 Angus Burns
21:00 Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters
22:00 Splayed Ferrets
23:00 Black Cat Bone
Friday 21 March
12:00 Aden & Burning Soul
13:00 Boon
14:00 Shomon
15:00 Elizabeth
16:00 Splashy Fen Song Winner – Don Clarke
16:30 Miriam Backhouse (featured artist for 2008)
18:00 Zoe & Somebody’s Child
19:00 Syd Kitchen
20:00 Dan Patlansky
21:00 Plush
22:00 Spitmunkey
23:00 Goldfish
Saturday 22 March
12:00 Tim Pepper
13:00 Justin Taylor
14:00 Roly Struckmeyer
15:00 Cabins in the Forest
16:00 Vana
17:00 Guy Buttery
18:00 Josie Field
19:00 Johnny Dopper & the Rubber Soles
20:00 The Arrows
21:00 The Rudimentals
22:00 Southern Gypsey Queen
23:00 Tree63
Sunday 23 March
09:00 Underberg Zulu Dancers
Udumo Gospel Choir
12:00 Derrick & Haylea
13:00 Fox Fyre
14:00 Aaron Nel & The New Groove
15:00 Zephyr
16:00 The Bandits
17:00 Avatar
18:00 Munkinpure
19:00 New Loud Rockets
20:00 The Beams
21:00 Redflecks
22:00 Kidofdoom
23:00 DJ Veranda_panda
DJ Lapse
The Social Workers
Seake
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PROGRAMME: SPLASHY FEN MARQUEE
Thursday 20 March
18:00 The Goubutt Soldiers
19:00 N.I.P
20:00 Captain Stu
21:00 Sibling Rivalry
22:00 His Dying Wish
23:00 Bhora
Friday 21 March
09:00 Open Mic Registration
10:00 Open Mic Session - Starts
13:00 Open Mic Session - Closes
14:00 The Otherwise
14:45 Barkley Blazer
15:30 We Stole Snowy
16:15 Magic Of Pegasus
18:00 Aidan Cornhill
19:00 The Kings Of Vegas
20:00 Sheep Down
21:00 Japan & I
22:00 The City Bowl Mizers
23:00 Crossingpoint
Saturday 22 March
09:00 Open Mic Registration
10:00 Open Mic Session - Start
13:00 Open Mic Session - Closes
14:00 The Cokestrokes
14:45 The Uncut
15:30 The Pretty Blue Guns
16:15 Your Name In Neon
18:00 Fire Through The Window
19:00 Gonzo Republic
20:00 Habit To
21:00 Voodoo Child
22:00 The Kiff
23:00 Napalma
Sunday 23 March
09:00 Open Mic Registration
10:00 Open Mic Session - Starts
13:00 Open Mic Session - Closes
14:00 Pocket Change
14:45 Manuvah To Land
15:30 Love On Rollerskates
16:15 Go! Go! Bronco
17:30 DéMonique
18:00 The best of the Open Mic Sessions
20:00 Gently Scar’d
21:00 Seth
22:00 The Meditators
