Fest unites music lovers with good vibes and talent
THOUSANDS of revellers partied until sunset and were treated to a fun day of fine food, beverages and craft stalls at the sixth annual Richmond Hill Street Music Festival at the weekend.
Music lovers from all walks of life gathered in Raleigh Street, brought together by their love of music and spoilt for choice with the variety of entertainment available.
The festival, hosted by Alliance Francaise in Port Elizabeth, is based on Fete de la Musique, which takes place all over the world on the summer/winter solstice.
With three stages and 25 bands – including local favourites The Brothers, Stone Sisters, Stank & the Roots, Clique Claq, Urban Legend and Wandile Mbabeni – hipsters and jazz and rock music lovers alike were given a day to remember.
Tembelani Sikilishe, 33, who attended for the first time, said he enjoyed the performance by Written in Scarlet. “I really enjoyed the music and the vibe,” he said.
Nichola Gulwa, 34, said: “I really love rock and that is why I [came]. I hope that next time they will bring the Parlotones for us.”
Bay TV’s Kwantu Tunes presenter, Msimelelo Molo, 28, said: “I love all types of music, especially when it has a good message and brings people together . . . which is what this country needs.”
The Brothers entertained the crowd with their songs Many Miles and Black and White with their great beat and strong message.
The festival was also enjoyed by international tourists in the area.
German Arne Melt, 18, who is on a gap year, said he had been to similar festivals in Germany and this one was not far off from those events.
“Compared to the ones we have, this festival is not bad . . . we normally have famous bands performing, however the music and the bands [that played] were also really good.”
Cecilia Botha, 46, who lives in Saudi Arabia, was in Port Elizabeth to visit her son. She saw there was a music festival on and “could not miss it”.
“If I lived around here, I would come annually because it is wonderful and it gives me a good feeling being here,” Botha said.
Families with young children also came out in droves.
Jasmine de Jager, 8, spent the day dancing. “It [was] so fun , I really liked the music,” she said.
Alliance Francaise director Charlotte Jarnette said the turnout was bigger than last year.
“The turnout was more than what we expected,” she said.
“The people seemed to be really enjoying themselves as there was a new spirit and a great mix of local and international artists.”
Three international acts were in the lineup – Benjamine Piat, who added a French feel to the festival; Jaojoby from Madagascar, who filled the stage with bright colour and cultural dancing; and Grèn Semè from Reunion island, who brought a vibrant unique maloya sound to the mix.
Darren Mungur of Soul Good, which managed the event, said: “The response was phenomenal and the three international artists were well received.”
SATB and the Rob Thompson Band were among others on the bill.