One week after watching some of SA’s finest musicians collaborating for the Francois van Coke en Vriende show in Pretoria, Cape Town got to see another collaborative show courtesy of local supergroup Blood Brothers. The show featured some of SA’s best artists, performing to raise money for the Vrede Foundation, and took place at the Zip Zap dome in the heart of Cape Town.
Here are some shots from the night.
After the previous long day of driving and heat we endeavoured to keep our route simpler on our sixth day, and headed straight to Concarneau stopping only at Quimper along the way.
We left Paimpol and the coast, trading amor for argoat, as we headed inland towards the forested regions of Finistère. We passed through Carnoët and the nearby valley of the saints, Huelgoat with its stunning lake and forest full of tourists and Brasparts with its beautiful church before arriving at our overnight destination in Lopérec.
‘Francois Van Coke en Vriende’ was an aptly named, once-off show in Pretoria’s massive Sun Arena and a truly world class production (props to AMP Events). It featured collaborative performances from Francois’ bandmates in Fokofpolisiekar, Van Coke Kartel and Die Gevaar, as well as friends from Die Heuwels Fantasties and aKING, and solo artists including Karen Zoid, Arno Carstens, Coenie de Villiers, Majozi, Jack Parow and Early B.
It was also sold out – no small feat considering that there were over 8500 seats!
Here are some photos from one of the most memorable shows of the year.
The Paimpol festival happens every 2 years and is held in the port where thousands of attendees spend the weekend watching international and local musicians across a variety of festival stages, dancing to the many performers along the quays and admiring the myriad boats in attendance and on display (one even serves as a festival stage).
I attended the Saturday of the 2017 edition (themed ‘les routes de l’Orient’) which featured performances by legendary Breton harpist Alan Stivell and fellow local legends Malicorne as well an epic show by SA’s own BCUC, and the last of their European tour – I wrote a detailed review of their performance for Texx and the City, check it out over here.
Here are some photos from Saturday at the festival.
