Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts At Kirstenbosch 2012/2013

Every Summer, visitors to and residents of Cape Town are treated to a series of amazing live outdoor concerts at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. I struggle to find a better way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon, without venturing down to the insanely packed beaches. The 2012/2013 season of Old Mutual Summer Sunset concerts looks to be the best lineup since these concerts started back in the stone age.

This coming season kicks off on Sunday November 25, 2012 and runs through until April 7, 2013, offering up a variety of music genres every week.

Frank Brooks, Sponsorship Manager for sponsor Old Mutual had this to say:

“This season marks the fifth year we have been a part of this iconic Cape Town event. We are immensely proud that the Old Mutual Summer Sunset concerts have become a staple on the local and international tourism calendar, and that we as a brand can help these artists do great things on such a prestigious stage”.

November 25- The season kicks off with international star Daniel Bedingfield.  His pop wizardry is renowned, award winning and seriously funky. We gotta get through this… uns uns uns.

December 2- Oh yes, Mango Groove and lead singer Claire Johnston will be ready to deliver a truly South African set that is bound to get the gardens jumping. This is a real trip down memory lane.

December 9- Indie rock takes the fore with Zebra and Giraffe.

December 23- To usher in the Christmas spirit and get the crowds rocking, you’ll be able to check out the amazing Prime Circle. 

December 30- Winding down to the New Year, newcomers to the Kirstenbosch stage Yoav and Tailor make their debut.  Singer-songwriter Yoav uses his acoustic guitar and a live looping set. Tailor opens the show with a modern folk/blues-rock/pop vibe.

January 6- To kick off the new year in style there’s the legendary Arno Carstens.  With his fourth solo album just released, his performance on January 6 will ensure a sold-out concert.

January 13- Um yeah. The Parlotones.

January 20- If you love jazz and guitar wizardry then you have to check out Jimmy Dludlu. His latest album, TONOTO, introduces new facets of Jimmy and opens you up to feeling the world in a whole new way.

January 27- Toya Delazy and Lindiwe Suttle will be repping it on stage. Toya Delazy has made a real impact on South African Top 40 Radio and I’ve been super impressed by the flow of this trained jazz pianist. Opening the afternoon will be Lindiwe Suttle, fresh off the SA music festival stages where she launched her debut album Kamikaze Art, with her music described as organic electronic soul.

February 3- They really don’t need an intro-Freshlyground will ensure that the gardens are packed. Celebrating 10 years in the South African music industry this household name has fans across all ages.  Sing along to their newly released album Take Me To The Dance and groove to their smash hits including: Doo Be Doo, and 2010’s world-wide hit with Shakira, Waka Waka.

February 10- The third installment of the Cape Town Folk n Acoustic Music Festival is live on stage at Kirstenbosch.  Featuring an incredible line-up of South African folk and acoustic artists – the finest musical storytelling will be heard from the personal journeys of Ard Matthews, Steve Newman, Guy Buttery and Nibs Van Der Spuy, Andrew James and Steady Tiger, Digby and The Lullaby, Robin Auld and Wendy Oldfield and Tombstone Pete.

February 17- Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse is one of South Africa’s proudest musical treasures and this concert honours him and his special guests. He’s a man who loves his country as much as he does performing and with a career spanning almost 50 years this Soweto born-and-raised multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and philanthropist is an international performer. I’ve seen him a few times and the man is a musical genius.

February 24- For classical music lovers no summer sunset concert series would be complete without The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal guest conductor maestro Martin Panteleev this concert will feature internationally acclaimed French violinist Philippe Graffin.  The haunting strains of Mendelssohn’s Violin concerto, Rossini ‘s William Tell Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Overture Fantasy Romeo and Juliette will send chills up the spines of string lovers.

March 3- This one is the biggy… Goldfish return to South Africa after an Ibiza summer residence to play a massive set to their adoring fans. Don’t miss this.

March 10- Jeremy Loops will offer a new experience as this modern day one-man folk band shows how technology creates a finely woven tapestry of sounds.  Using his guitar, ukelele, harmonica and beatbox skills his technique and clever manipulation creates music that leaves a crowd quite literally awe-struck. He’s a super talented dude. Capetonian band Holiday Murray will open the afternoon.  Consisting of four musicians with wide ranging influences and diverse musical backgrounds look out for a refreshing and unique sound.

March 17- Ringo Madlingozi sings about healing, love, patience, kindness and forgiveness. Named after the Beatles drummer – his talent on drums is exceptional – he is also a vocalist, percussionist, guitarist, songwriter, producer and arranger with a string of awards.

March 24- Shadowclub performs with their rootsy, bluesy rock inspired by classic rock acts. Gangs of Ballet will be opening this concert with an eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, electronic and dance genres.

March 31- The penultimate concert sees Mi Casa & Natasha Meister ripping up the stage. MiCasa is brilliant live and Natasha is probably one of the best Blue artist we have in SA.

April 7- The final concert takes it old school with Johnny Clegg. A dancer, anthropologist, singer, songwriter, academic, activist and French knight this energetic, passionate human being has become one of South Africa’s greatest musical exports and an untiring cultural ambassador for the new South Africa.

It’s going to be one amazing Summer, so make sure you’ve got your picnic packed and friends gathered for a few Sundays of sunshine and fun.

The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Rhodes Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town) on Sundays from 17h30 – 19h00.  Gates open at 16h00.  For further information and ticket prices, please telephone 021 799 8783/8620 or visit the website www.sanbi.org or www.oldmutual.co.za/music.  Tickets can be booked on www.webtickets.co.za

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