Perfect summer outing in Joburg
MAKE A DATE: TWO MUSICIANS TO HEADLINE ONE VENUE
Once-in-a-lifetime experience with rooftop drinks and best folk and indie music.
Whether you take part in post-modern ironic hipster-ism, or getting on the VSCO girl bandwagon, there is no excuse not to be wearing your Bikenstocks on November 23.
To start you off, listen to this song while reading why it can be the perfect summer day in the City of Gold with a free 10km trip with chauffeur service Good Fellas, copious amounts of gin and sparkling wine and some of the world’s best folk and indie music.
Flashback to March this year and Ed Sheeran had one of the most successful concert tours from an international act in South Africa. His two-night residency at the national stadium had an estimated 135 000 screaming fans at his feet.
So successful was his stint at the Calabash, his opening act, Passenger, proved so popular that he booked the TicketPro Dome for his first tour to South Africa.
On November 23, he makes his lauded return in South Africa at the Dome. Passenger (real name Michael Rosenberg) is bringing his full live set to the country this month. His love for South Africa is apparent when Table Mountain became the setting for his music video Helplessly Lost – and his first stint at TicketPro Dome will include a bevy of tracks from his latest album Sometimes It’s Something, Sometimes It’s Nothing At All.
But what sweetens the pot for audiophiles on the day, Passenger’s unique voice and lyrics will be supported by Gregory
Alan Isakov. Except for being South African-born, Isakov is one of the world’s leading folk and indie pop musicians and his latest album, Evening Machines, is a journey into moody, lyrical music that’s actually quite transcendent.
It’s a rare opportunity to see two musicians, possibly the leaders in their individual genres, to headline one venue. But before catching some of the best music you need libation, correct? As luck would have it, the Wade Bales Cap Classique and Gin Affair takes place on November 23 and 24 at Southern Sun Rooftop Terrace Bar in Hyde Park. A golden highveld sunset, over 40 of South Africa’s premium MCC’s (all made in the traditional Methode Champenoise style) and up to 70 craft and international gins to taste – this is the ultimate preamble to what is sure to be an unforgettable music experience. But it’s not just about getting a buzz, the MCC and Gin
Affair also features local gin producers who will be on hand with a mountain of knowledge, as well as six fresh oysters upon entry.
Your ticket price covers unlimited tastings as well. The good news is, the boozy affair takes place from 3pm to 7pm, leaving you an hour to get to the TicketPro Dome. Isakov will start his set at 8pm, followed by Passenger at 9pm.
And getting to the Dome can be worry-free this time. First time Good Fellas users get a free 10km trip when using the code for the MCC and Gin Affair. Considering the TicketPro Dome is just shy of 13km from Hyde Park Corner, you get a lot of bang for your buck. It’s also a great way not to over splurge on drinks at the venue, which can be a lot pricier than a single ticket to the sparkling wine and gin extravaganza at Hyde Park.
Great music, good drinks and a safe hop from one venue to another – November 23 truly could be the best day out in Johannesburg to end the year.