Cool new festival in the KZN Midlands
The Cool Oaks Acoustic Festival, supported by Music in the Hills (MiTH) and The Witness and Village Talk, will be taking place in the Byrne Valley, Richmond.
Three incredible KwaZulu-Natal musicians – Jason Hartman, Rob Warren and Rusty Red – are set to headline the inaugural Cool Oaks Acoustic Festival at The Oaks Hotel in the Byrne Valley, Richmond, on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27.
Hartman, a singer and songwriter, was the co-winner of South African Idols in 2009 with Sasha Lee Davids.
His single, Break The Silence, peaked at number one on the Nokia Top 40, with the album, On The Run, making it to number one of several of the country’s radio stations.
On The Run’s songs were written almost entirely by Hartman, with some input from his producer, Masrius Brouwer.
Earlier in his career, in July 2003, he and his brother, Scott, his dad, Sam, and band-mate, Donovan Thatcher, formed Men of Trees, a band which played music from many genres.
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Their repertoire included Counting Crows, Sting, Bob Marley and much more.
In the past year, he and Scott have renewed this family partnership, gigging at venues across the Midlands.
Warren, a Durban singer and songwriter, has, with his bandmates in The Black Lapels, delivered unique and authentic performances paying tribute to musical heroes such as CCR, Johnny Cash, and Paul Simon.
Never one to sit still, however, and alongside his role as Black Lapels frontman, he launched his solo project in 2021, adding yet another colour to the palette of this well-established artist and performer.
Warren is a consummate performer. Each show runs like a well-oiled machine, with solid musicianship and heartfelt delivery.
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Rusty Red has for several years now been performing around the world in tribute shows ranging from Queen to The Eagles – but he still loves performing at home.
Mentored by The Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters and refined by the Durban-based Black Lapels, Rusty has cemented himself as a blues guitar powerhouse and singer-songwriter, making regular appearances at music festivals such as Splashy Fen, the Hilton Arts Festival, and the Durban International Blues Festival.
These three fabulous musos will be supported over the two-day event by the likes of Three Daughters, Three Dads and a Son, The Chickpeas, The MMM Band, Painting So Severe, Blackbird Music, Grace and Tanya, Comedy Hour with Brian, Jes Bedingfield, Grace Botha and Stu Hancocks, Bowstring, Bruere Venter, and the Ilan Lax Band.
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There will also be an Open Mic for those wanting to test the musical performance waters.
The Cool Oaks Acoustic Festival, which is supported by Music in the Hills (MiTH) and The Witness and Village Talk, is family-friendly, with free camping.
Happily (or sadly if you haven’t booked yet) the three-star hotel rooms at The Oaks Hotel are all sold out.
In addition to the music, which will be performed in a tent, visitors can enjoy MTB riding, hiking, putt-putt, and horse riding.
A weekend pass costs R500 and a Saturday pass R300 (under13s half price). Book via email at [email protected] or phone 082 554 1702.
Please note: no outside alcohol permitted – this is a fully licensed venue with food and drinks on sale. Campers may bring their own food etc.
So, whether you’re chasing great music, fresh Midlands air, or a laid-back escape – this is your weekend.
Want more information go to www.oaksatbyrne.co.za, www.charleswebstermusic.co.za or www.mith.co.za
