Cruel Summer boasts 10 000-strong crowd

MIND-blowing production, quality entertainment and a new experience are words used to describe this year’s fifth annual Cruel Summer picnic held at the weekend.

From its roots as a small event aimed at reuniting friends at the start of the festive season, it has become one of the biggest events on the East London calendar.

This year’s party attracted more than 10 000 revellers to Absa Stadium on Saturday.

2Kings Africa co-founder and event organiser Mbulelo Ntlonti said he was extremely happy with the turn-out, adding that his team had invested a lot in the production of the show, from the quality of the sound and artists, through to the decor and the marketing of the event with the aim of giving East Londoners a whole new experience.

Cruel Summer has in the past offered concert-goers a chance to see some of the best artists in the country and this year was no exception with hip-hop giants such as AKA and Maraza, Heavy K, Prince Kaybee and some of the city’s top DJs all in attendance.

In between sets, comic blogger Moshe Ndiki had the crowd in stitches as the host of the event for the fourth time in a row.

“The picnic has been amazing this year, the crowd was more controlled, I am really proud of 2Kings Africa, they have come a long way.

“Cruel Summer is always the first gig when coming back home for the holidays and I’m happy to have been part of it again this year,” Ndiki said.

Event organisers partnered with music channel Trace Urban and V-Entertainment broadcasting live from the event.

One of the highlights of the night was the “Castle Lite takeover” when stilt walkers and hip-hop dancers introduced East London’s very own DJ PH to the stage.

“This was my second Cruel Summer [event] and this year was just bigger and better, the event is more structured and the vibe is just crazy, it’s always good to be able to come back home and do this,” the DJ said

Castle Lite brand director Becky Opdyke said the aim of the event was to unlock new experiences and ways of entertaining guests.

“We are happy to be one of the sponsors of the event. This was our first takeover in the Eastern Cape and East London was the perfect place to start. There is high energy, great attendance and a very dynamic crowd,” she said.

Out to have a good time, reveller Lennox Somhlohlo said he was amazed with how big the event had grown.

“I’ve been to four Cruel Summer picnics and to watch the brand grow has been amazing. My experience in 2013 up to now has been really great. I’m really proud of what the guys are doing.” —