GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A real feast of entertainment is in store for those attending this year's Karoo-lus festival, and what is sadly the final festival will certainly be remembered for the high caliber of artists.
The party starts on Friday at 17:00 with a performance by Appel, who is one of South Africa's most prolific contemporary Afrikaans songwriters. He has written hit songs for many local artists, and his compositions have won multiple awards. His music style is adult contemporary folk-pop.
Next on the line-up is Touch of Class at 18:00. 'Thrillingly beautiful' is the perfect way to describe the music of this acclaimed duo from Pretoria. The group, established by Deon van der Merwe and Ronell Erasmus, has been part of the South African music industry since 1989 and originally performed as a backup band for big artists like Anneli van Rooyen, Manuel Escorcio and André Schwartz. Ruhan du Toit joined the group in 2012 after Ronell decided to focus on her solo career as a Gospel musician, and this was the start of a brand new adventure for Touch of Class.
Dewald Wasserfall takes to the stage at 19:00. Dewald is a past winner of the South African Music Award for Best Contemporary Music Album. Next year he will be undertaking a tour to New Zealand.
The outstanding and versatile Riana Nel from Pretoria is next on the programme, starting at 20:00. This singer-songwriter, originally from Namibia, has performed to audiences across the globe, with her inimitable style which embraces pop, rock, country and contemporary.
There will be a total change of mood after this when Snotkop takes to the stage at 21:00. Previously known as Lekgoa, this well-known Afrikaans singer and rapper started singing kwaito in the late 1990s.
Last in the guest line-up for Friday evening is The Campbells, whose blend between well- known English and Afrikaans favourites and familiar Campbells songs creates the perfect party.
On Saturday, visitors will soon get in the party spirit with Chris Brits and his Boereorkes, from Cradock, who will be performing three short sets during the day.
The well-known children's duo of Lollos and Lettie will entertain younger visitors from 11:00 - this will give parents a chance to sit down and relax while the children are kept busy.
At 16:00, Fatman, a finalist in The Voice SA, takes to the stage, sure to make a big impression!
There will then be a break in the entertainment programme from 17:00 to allow rugby fans to support the Boks in the match against Australia, live on the big screen.
Local songstress Nerika van der Merwe starts the final evening's live entertainment with a 30-minute slot at 18:45.
Leah, a singer, actress, dancer and presenter, who starred opposite Bobby van Jaarsveld in the smash-hit Afrikaans musical film, "As jy Sing", will be next on stage at 19:15. As well as being a vocalist, she is also a talented dancer, so the audience can be sure of some slick moves.
Emo Adams needs no introduction to South African audiences. His prodigious talent is something he's been honing since the age of 9, when his father first spotted his genius. He is the only actor to have played every single character in the production of District 6: the Musical, and has performed on stages around the world. He will be sure to wow the audience when he comes on stage at 20:45.
The final (ever) act to perform at Karoo-lus will be the Parlotones - when this news broke, music fans in Graaff-Reinet went wild. This rock/ pop band from Johannesburg is one of South Africa's best-selling music artists of all time. The personal themes of their lyrics, of love and everyday life, are paired with catchy melodies that never fail to engage their audience.
They are one of South Africa's best-selling music artists of all time, enjoying multi-platinum success, and Graaff-Reinet and Karoo-lus can't wait to welcome them to the stage at 21:45 on Saturday night. A fitting end of an era for this year's festival.
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