ROCKING THE DAISIES

[Candice Harper]

Play hard; tread lightly - the delightfully refreshing mantra that was attached to Rocking the Daisies this year. With eco friendly invites, web tickets and recycling incentives I was thoroughly impressed at how well this idea actually worked.

Arriving just after eight on the Friday evening, we collected our tickets/armbands and were promptly given goody bags which included: - A black bag, a green bag, energy vitamins, a beautifully designed booklet with all the information one could need for the whole weekend and a Levis condom, it seemed the organizers really did think of everything.

However I did not; when I finally got to where I decided to pitch my tent, I realized I had only used said tent once before, where I actually did very little setting up of it myself (delegate baby!). I had to now set it up, in the dark, with only one tiny torch and three other people who were very impatient to see the bands. This proved to be even more difficult when a neighbor who was excessively inebriated stole one of our best bets of tent pitching by shouting the infamous line “Hey! Don’t I know you from somewhere”, then offered us beers and the advice that we just throw the tent over us and forget about pitching it at all. Aaah, the wonderful life of camping.

Once we finally got the tent up, we headed off to do what we came here to do; see the bands and get a drink. Walking to the stage we bumped into many people or, should I say many people bumped into us. I have never seen so many drunken people in one place; which, coupled with the no 12-17 year olds meant less stupidity and just a lot of people having a good time.

The first band we were able to catch were GANG OF INSTRUMENTALS best known for their chart topper WOZA DECEMBER. I couldn’t think of a better way to start off my evening. And I am not even going to say it’s not normally my kind of music because I think anybody who is out there to have a good time would enjoy GANG OF INSTRUMENTS or GI as they are known to their fans. Their set was full of chart topping, foot stomping beats to keep your blood rushing and body warm.

Up next were aKING, who unfortunately I was unable to watch but you can find an article on how they did at Rocking the Gardens here.

The last but oh-most-definitely not least band for the evening was GOLDFISH. You could just feel something in the air that told you this was the band to see tonight, and the band that everybody had been waiting for. I jumped in front and center to catch a glimpse of this insanely popular South African band that had just come back from touring Europe, Ibiza and Dubai. My ears will never be the same. Obviously, very few South Africans, especially those in their 20somethings would go to Rocking the Daisies without knowing who GOLDFISH were. What I did not know however was that they were so dynamic. Everyone who was on stage not only lived up to the crowd’s expectations but surpassed mine they all seemed to be doing two things at the same time. I was in awe as Dom played double bass and keyboards, while Dave mixed and played sax. Without looking strained at all; but as if they were feeding off the crowd’s energy.

Saturday started off bright and early, with the sun cooking me alive in my tent, not caring how much sleep I had; had the night before. I stumbled out in a quest to find coffee and catch more bands. LONESOME DAVE FERGUSON was first up. This was a bit unfortunate as not many were up yet the small crowd that was got pulled by the uniqueness of this one-man-band with only his voice, harmonica and loop-pedal to bring the beat. As if he were a pied piper people started appearing out of nowhere. I quickly understood why they got DAVE FERGUSON to start on the Saturday morning; with the country vibe and his smooth, soft voice it became apparent that he was the perfect remedy for the hangover many were recovering from.

After scrounging for some food and taking a look at the array of shops a man on stage with a full feathered Indian chieftain tribal headgear got my attention, even more so when I saw him bring out a didgeridoo. THE JACK MANTIS BAND are a five man band covering a broad range of genres like jazz, reggae and hard rock and themes of peace, love and politics. My only criticism here is that I was behind the camera during this performance, I feel like I lost out in some of the magic that makes this band. This is the type of band that after you see them live you walk away a changed person without really knowing why. They were soft and sublime. If you want a little taste of what I’m talking about listen to their song PLEASE STAY

I had been told I had to see DAN PATLANSKY and he was up next, so I hung around to see what all the buzz was about. Now if you don’ know, DAN PATLANSKY has been compared to STEVIE RAY VAUGHN who not only was voted by Rolling Stones as number seven on their greatest guitarists of all time list but if Blues had a prophet, STEVIE RAY VAUGHN would be it. Now I’m not one to argue, but DAN PATLANSKY played HENDRIX (who is incidentally number one on that list) with ease. This is definitely something you have to see to believe.

After DAN PATLANSKY was the RED BULL RADAR competition, where three somewhat unknown bands got to perform a few songs in hopes of winning the prize of getting a demo produced in the Red Bull studios and to come back to Rocking the Daises next year as a Headliner. The first up was SHE MAN LION; an electro-pop, disco-beat sort of band, who have been described as a “neo post-punk revelation of artistry, energy and emotion”. And I have to admit, they seemed to have a following; unfortunately for once I didn’t agree with the general consensus. The second band to play was the SEAN HAYZ BAND bringing some acoustic folk-rock to the mix. These guys were great, but I was not blown away; until I heard the next band – JINX. An electric violinist, coupled with vocals done by two members of the band, one adding operatic notes whilst the other balances it out, with a twinge of madness in his voice, pulling you deeper into the rabbit hole, whilst telling you it’s ok to give into madness for a moment. Least I forget the keyboards and bassist that also makes up this wonderfully neurotic band. Described as cyber punk on their website, I am going to go a bit further and say it is more dark cabaret meets circus symphonic having an affair with grog evoked pirates. Every piece of this band was outstanding. The beautiful outfits, the sound and the energy the band had on stage left me stunned. I had never even thought of experiencing such a band in South Africa.

However, SHE MAN LION were the winners of this year’s RED BULL RADAR. Whilst I can understand why, I couldn’t help feel a little bit disappointed. Putting my disappointment aside, I obviously want the best for South African music and appreciate the competition for what it was – a chance for an unknown band to try and make it big, and I am sure the two other bands with all the potential they have as well are going to do great nevertheless.

After taking a three hour hiatus to find shelter from the heat, I got back just in time to catch DESMOND & THE TUTUS and I am glad I did. Out of all the other bands I had seen DESMOND & THE TUTUS had the most outrageously; bordering on ADD; energy I had seen the whole weekend. How that much energy could be contained in one small area was a miracle. Describing themselves as “a little pop 'n roll kwela disco punk band from Pretoria.” The only thing I don’t agree with is little, these guys are huge. The crowd was bopping and jiving throughout the whole set.

Now, I know I may be shot for my next comment, and perhaps they have the tough task of following DESMOND & THE TUTUS to blame for this, but FRESHLYGROUND did not live up to my expectations. I am not going to argue that FRESHLYGROUND isn’t a great South African band; because they are; who doesn’t love their song POT BELLY? I just found that their live performance at Rocking the Daisies lacked a certain something. I walked away feeling very nonchalant about seeing them live, even though I had waited the whole weekend to see them. I do hope I get a chance to see them again to change my opinion though.

Next up was JUST JINJER, who after being abroad for quiet some time have come back to the shores of South Africa. They haven’t come back empty handed either, but with their first international CD release; which will hit record stores in a few months. Funny enough; I had seen JUST JINJER ten years ago, when they were still just a South African band trying to make it. It was my first “live” performance I went to. When I heard them play Shallow Waters it took me right back. And although they seem to have a sort of cocky-ness you get from making it in America I could tell they hadn’t forgotten where they came from. But is it Ard? Yes it is, and I hope Mr Matthews decides to stick around South Africa for awhile.

The last band I caught on Saturday was PRIME CIRCLE, who, are one of South Africa’s biggest rock bands. The crowd loved them; I loved them they were great; but, yes I have a but; I would love to see them do something harder. Now, I know there isn’t such a big market for hard rock In South Africa, and I’d hate to think that these guys are mellowing out their songs for the sake of commercialism. But the way the bassist held and played his warlock-esque bass made me wonder if there wasn’t another; perhaps darker side to this everyman’s rock group. That is something I would like to see.

Sunday was a pretty mellow day and had me spending most of my time in the Lemon Tree Theatre, which gave me the great opportunity to see D7, an A’capella group of; you guessed it, seven members. These guys have class and style, covering a wide range of artists from FRANK SINATRA to MICHAEL JACKSON and even JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. With only their voices as an instrument everybody had a great time watching them, especially when they performed THRILLER.

On a whole I was thoroughly impressed with Rocking the Daisies, the sound was unbelievably crisp with very little to no problems the whole weekend. The vibe was unmatched, with it’s hippy go lucky vibe and the organization of the whole event was unrivaled. Dare I say it topped my Sonisphere experience? Yes I do, and with South African pride to boot.

[Candice Harper]

Thanks Don! I think they may have been giving out more comdoms at the Levi's stand during the festival; but I think many were a little too drunk to make use of them on the Friday evening. JINX have promised an EP release later this year, but, they are a band you need to see live.

[Editor-in-Chief]

This is awesome Candice! Brilliantly put together! Only one condom from Levi's tho? I suppose its better than nothing... Wish I could have seen JINX.