Sexy sounds in the city
World-renowned Jazz Festival still has ‘room for improvement’
THE 18th Cape Town International Jazz Festival happened this past weekend, with performers ranging from Mango Groove and En Vogue all the way to The Internet and Rudimentals entertaining over 30 000 people who attended the two-day event.
The Jazz Festival is one of the biggest music events in the world, attracting many overseas visitors who come to see and hear the mix of local and international performers.
Many who attended this year’s event said they loved the experience but still felt there were ways in which the existing festival could be improved.
“I just wish that there had been more international artists… I feel like they have downsized a bit,” Laura Skippers said.
“There wasn’t really a major headliner, in my opinion, and then I don’t think they should have put the Bassline stage where they had it this year. I miss the dome arrangement where Bassline was in the Zip-Zap circus location, so I hope they bring back the dome in future.”
The use of the space for the festival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre was also brought up by another festival-goer who hoped for more stages.
“Maybe also have more stages, as well; there can’t only be five stages. Add another stage that is a bit further away and allow us to walk in more areas and experience more of the vibe by including more stages in different places,” said Azande Sidyiyo.
“I found the jazz festival to be an absolutely amazing experience; more the first night than the second. I think that it attracts very vibey people, it is a very good vibe, and that is mostly due to the people who are attending.
“In terms of the line-up it could be more inclusive of the youth. Even though they got big names this year, it is getting more expensive and the line-up is not that great for what you’re paying, so I feel like if they want to do something like this, they need to make the line-up great through and through.”
This year’s Jazz Festival was the first for Reuben Joorst and he said that since it was his first time he didn’t know what to expect, but he did find the organisation of the event was great.
“The fact that they booked Tom Misch was the only reason I bought my ticket and he really lived up to the hype. I think the festival would do well to book more young artists like him who have big SoundCloud followings as lots of younger people like myself came just to see him.
“I struggled with the main stage as the sound wasn’t good enough to make out what was happening, when it’s the first time you’re hearing those kinds of esoteric jazz things.”