Rocking the Daisies Music and Lifestyle Festival is back for another year at Cloof Wine Estate in Darling. Look out for the big guns!
After a sold out festival last year, expect more space, bigger arenas and top-class international content. Capacity will once again be limited to 15 000 of you festival frolickers, so get your game face on and snap up those tickets while you still can!
Internationally acclaimed indie rock legends, Bloc Party are confirmed to headline at Rocking the Daisies 2012! This universally respected band has already headlined some of the world’s most famous festivals and will be adding RTD to its very impressive list, which includes O2 Academy, Leeds and Reading Festival, T in the Park, Glastonbury and V Fest. South Africa now has the chance to be blown away by one of the best live acts in the world on Saturday 06 October at Rocking the Daisies, Cloof Wine Estate,Darling.
Just less than a year ago a big question mark loomed over whether new music would ever emerge from Bloc Party. The band went on a hiatus in October 2009 to focus on side projects, and reunited in September 2011. In May 2012 the band announced via their website that their fourth album, Four, will be released on August 20, 2012.
In February 2005 the band released their debut album Silent Alarm. It was critically acclaimed and was named ‘Indie Album of the Year’ at the 2006 PLUG Awards and NME Album of the year which both honour indie music. That same year the record went platinum; with Bloc Party selling two million albums worldwide.
Now they return with their strongest, most vital statement to date in their triumphant new album ‘FOUR‘. The four piece of Kele Okereke, Russell Lissack, Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong reunited, prompted by a creative impetus inspired by a dramatic year in world events, as well as a shared desire to rekindle their singular musical kinship. ‘FOUR’ presents a band in the fullest sense of the word: lean, hungry, spirited and uncompromising, armed with a collection of songs as powerful and anthemic as they’ve ever penned, as well as some of their mosthard-hitting and visceral recordings to date! Daisies fans will get to watch this all unfold on the main stage at RTD 2012.
In Kele’s own words: “the record is the sound of four people in a room, loving what they do and doing it to the best of their ability. It is the sound that only the four of us could make, and I am prouder of it than any record we have ever made”.
‘FOUR‘ will be released August 20th via Frenchkiss Records. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4M5EqOGsM
Rocking the Daisies will take place from 4-7th October 2012 on Cloof Wine estate in Darling. Get your tickets NOW from www.webtickets.co.za!
For updates and regular interactions:
Our shiny new website: www.rockingthedaisies.com
Like us on FB: /rockingthedaisiesfestival
Follow us on Twitter: @rockingthedaisy
And watch us on YouTube: /user/RockingTheDaisiesTV
This Q&A article was first published on the SA-Venues blog: http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/love-darling
Hi, I’m Paul Martin from Aloe Cottage in Darling.
Darling IS BEST KNOWN FOR its wonderfully diverse spring flowers, the Voorkamerfest Theatre and Arts Festival, Evita se Perron (the home of Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout), great wine farms, art galleries, country-style restaurants and bistros, the Duckitt orchid nursery, the friendly small-town atmosphere and relaxed country life.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Evita se Perron where you can pose as “the most famous white woman in South Africa” and take a humorous trip down South Africa’s memory lane at Boerassic Park.
THE BEST spring flower PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Tinie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve, Waylands Flower Reserve or at the orchid open days at Duckitt Nurseries on the first Saturday of the month from May to November.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS CAN BE TAKEN while sipping wine at some of the local wine farms like Ormonde, Cloof, Darling Cellars, Groote Post and Tukulu.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO cycle around the village and farmlands with my camera. The Nguni cattle at Oude Post Farm are particularly beautiful with their speckled hides and long horns.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO browse the amazing selection of books at Book League.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS any time of the year, BECAUSE summer offers trips to nearby Yzerfontein beach and long warm evenings around the braai. The Darling Music Experience classical festival takes place in February. Autumn is ideal for wine tasting while the vineyards turn to orange and gold. Winter brings misty morning walks, and cosy nights with good food and wine. Spring brings the annual Darling Wildflower Show, Voorkamerfest, Rocking the Daisies music festival and so much more …
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST The Marmalade Cat.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Bistro Seven, TRY THE Eisbein.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Café Mosaic, known by the locals as ‘The Stoep’.
MY FAVOURITE bargain hunting SPOT IS The Mantis Trading Store.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Kraalbosdam on a Friday night.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO the Darling Country Market on the first Saturday morning of the month at the Nitrophoska Building.
Darling’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS the local butchery, Darling Vleismark, perfect for stocking up before returning to the city. And don’t miss the cheap homemade jams at the till!
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS enjoy the local beer, Darling Brew, available at most restaurants in Darling.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY making your own wine at the annual Darling Cellars Crush Day.
MY FAVOURITE WALK IS with my dogs at the Renosterveld Reserve at the top of the hill, where you have panoramic views of the village and surrounding farmlands.
MY FAVOURITE gift and homeware SHOP IS is the beautiful warehouse at the back of The Marmalade Cat.
MY FAVOURITE bird WATCHING SPOT IS from the kitchen window at Aloe Cottage, where the weaver birds put on a fantastic display building their nests and showing off their dexterity.
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS Darling Museum. Discover how Darling got its name and don’t miss the little shop; Ouma’s Treasures.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS Koekemakranka Backpackers, FOR ITS creative and whacky interior, created by local artist and co-owner Omnia Grobler.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Lelieblom Farm Restaurant where the kids can see and touch farm animals. Enjoy a lazy weekend lunch where you dine with your hosts and enjoy true country hospitality.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS taking a leisurely drive around the countryside.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO go wine tasting, stock up my cellar with excellent local wines, then enjoy a celebratory meal at Hilda’s Kitchen at Groote Post.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS the difference that one person, Pieter-Dirk Uys, has made to a community by putting Darling on the map and giving so much to support development projects in the area.
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Aloe Cottage, of course!
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I support The Darling Trust.
I ♥ Darling BECAUSE the people are friendly and welcoming, the village is authentic and not overly touristy, and it’s an hour from Cape Town… but a world away!
Aloe CottageAloe Cottage offers luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in Darling, near to Cape Town, South Africa. We are pet-friendly! The holiday home has been beautifully decorated with top quality linen, furniture and artwork and enjoys possibly the best views in Darling — over rolling hills and farmlands to the distant mountains. Aloe Cottage is the perfect romantic getaway for couples as well as for weekends away with friends or family holidays.
Visit Aloe Cottage
View Rates or make a Booking
Chicory Cheese — +27 (0)72 852‑6644
Brig’s Barn — +27 (0)22 492‑2451
The Marmalade Cat — +27 (0)22 492‑2515
Bistro Seven — +27 (0)22 492‑3626
Café Mosaic — +27 (0)22 492‑2307
Kraalbosdam — +27 (0)22 492‑3803
Lelieblom Farmhouse — +27 (0)82 573‑7736
Monthly throughout 2011
Duckitt Nurseries Open Day
Date: First Saturday of every month May to November
Venue: Duckitt Ochid Nursery, Oudepost Farm,R315 Darling
Tel: +27 22 492 2606
E_mail info@duckittnurseries.co.za
Website : www.duckittnurseries.co.za
Darling Country Market
Date: Last Saturday of each month
Time: 9h00 until 12h30
Venue: Nitrophoska Building, Main Road, Darling
Tel: 082 927 6225
February 2011
Darling Music Experience – Concerts in the Country
Date: 25 – 27 February
Venue: Various in Darling
Tel +27 22 492 3996
Darling Cellars Crush day
Date: 26 Feb
Venue: Darling Cellars R315 Darling-Malmesbury
Tel: 022 492 2276
Ride the Wind with the CA2C – Cycle Race
Date: 26 Feb 2011
Venue: From Clara Anna Fontein in Durbanville to Darling
March 2011
Adenco 400 (Absa Off Road Championship)
Date: 11 – 12 March
Venue: Darling Club, Darling
Tel: 082 8077 797 (Bill Bright)
April 2011
Darling Passion Play
Date: Good Friday 22 April
Time: 16:30 for 17:00
Venue: The Vlei – opposite Evita se Perron, Darling
Tel : 074 369 8212 (Sarie Vlotman)
Admission is free (although donations are always appreciated)
May 2011
The Wonderful Wines of Darling at Trinity Lodge
Date: Every Saturday night in May
Venue: Trinity Lodge
Tel 022 492 3430/083 325 4148 (Shaun Mc Laughlin)
Darling Museum Crafters Day
Date: Sat 21 May
Time: 10h00 until 14h00
Venue: Darling Museum
Tel +27 22 492 3361
Darling Half Marathon
Date: Sat 21 May
Venue: Darling Primary , Kalkoentjie Street Darling
Tel: Mary Ashford 082 684 5575
July 2011
Xmas in July
Date: Weekends throughout July
Evita se Perron
Tel: Bookings (022) 492 3930
August 2011
Wildflower Game Drives
Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct
Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate
Tel: +27 22 492 2830 / 084 606 3470
e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za
www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za
September 2011
Wildflower Game Drives
Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct
Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate
Tel: +27 22 492 2830 / 084 606 3470
e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za
www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za
Darling Voorkamerfest
Date: 02 – 04 Sept
Venue: Evita se Perron
Tel : Tasha Reid 082 321 7542
www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za
Duckitt Nurseries Orchid Show
Date: Thurs 15 -Sun 18 Sept
Venue Oudepost Farm, R315 Darling
Tel: (022) 492-2606
Darling Wildflower Show
Date: Fri 16 Sept to Sun 18 Sept
Venue: Darling Club, Jacaranda Street Darling
Tel: (022) 492-3361
http://www.darlingwildflowers.co.za
Wildflower Game Drives
Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct
Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate
Tel: +27 22 492 2830 / 084 606 3470
e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za
www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za
Renosterveld MTB Cycle Race – Ride the Rhino
Date: 30 September to 2 October 2011
Venue: Three day, stage race starting in Langebaan, Darling, Malmesbury ending in Durbanville.
E-mail info@renosterveldmtb.co.za
October 2011
Rocking the Daisies music festival
Date: 7,8,9 October
Venue: Cloof Wine Estate, Darling
Darling Gymkhana
Date:
Venue Darling Club, Darling
Tel: 022 492 3013
Wildflower Game Drives
Date: mid-Aug to mid-Oct
Venue: Burgherspost Wine Estate
Tel: +27 22 492 2830 / 084 606 3470
e-mail: nature@cloof.co.za
www.burgherspost.co.za http://www.cloof.co.za
November 2011
The Wonderful Wines of Darling at Trinity Lodge
Date: Every Saturday night in November
Venue: Trinity Lodge
Tel 022 492 3430/083 325 4148 (Shaun Mc Laughlin)
December 2011
Evita se Perron Christmas Season
Date : Throughout Dec
Venue : Evita se Perron, Arcadia Street Darling
Tel: 022 492 3930
E-mail: bookings@evita.co.za
Rocking the Daisies’ Walking the Daisies and Cycle to Daisies are happening yet again! Continuing from last year’s success, both initiatives will be bigger and more exciting than ever.
This year’s Walking the Daisies will see 40 people walking on a beautiful 2 day, 60km hike through the West Coast wild flower region via beaches, conservation areas and farmlands on route to the festival. Fruit and Veg City are back on board for the second year running to make sure all the walkers are well fed and looked after during the journey. The overnight camp at Silverstroomstrand is set to be a great little social gathering where friends are encouraged to visit for a braai and camp with the walkers. Once again all walkers will receive a free festival ticket and other goodies in return for their commitment to a carbon-neutral festival journey.
Cycle to Daisies 2010 will once again reward 100 people for “playing hard, and treading lightly” by giving them 50% off their festival ticket. Cyclists will also be able hire bikes in advance for the trip or have the opportunity to donate their old bikes to BEN (Bicycling Empowerment Network) after the festival.
For news, route maps and info on how to register for both initiatives please visit http://www.rockingthedaisies.com. Numbers are limited, so don’t delay.
Female festival goers can once again enjoy the luxuries of camping at the Levi’s® Daisy Den at Rocking the Daisies. The Den will provide ladies only with the opportunity to lounge on a lazy ottoman, freshen up in front of a sparkling mirror and enjoy private, luxury bathroom facilities – everything needed to make sure they stay gorgeous for the whole festival. Ladies will also be able to experience the newly launched Levi’s® Curve ID jeans, with the opportunity to be custom measured and fitted to discover their ideal Levi’s® Curve ID fit and have a fab festival pic taken. They will also receive an exclusive Daisy Den 10% discount voucher to use in Levi’s® Stores at a later date.
The event awareness campaign for 2010 will focus on Water. Rocking the Daises does not sell any bottled water at the festival. Organisers instead aim to promote the benefits of utilising our natural resources in a sustainable manner through available water points, purified water stations and reusable water bottles.
Rocking the Daisies’ Green House, an area dedicated to promoting green living initiatives, will play host to the festival’s green supporters including long standing green partner, Hemporium. The Green House will also feature a Conscious Cinema, showcasing the latest environmental and social titles, drawing attention this year to water issues. The Conscious Cinema will enlighten danced-out festival goers through thought-provoking films and documentaries such as FLOW: For the Love of Water, Water – The Great Mystery, Blue Gold, One Water and HOME.
At the Rocking the Daisies we believe in all the good things in life. Check out this year’s confirmed line up for the Rocking the Daisies festival – enjoy!
Welcome to Darling’s environmentally friendly music and lifestyle festival, full of music, good food, good people and great times.
Thousands of fan photos on the Facebook fan page say it all : Rocking The Daisies is a weekend in Darling filled with smiling, happy people like this:
If you like conscientious camping, live music, comedy, good food, green projects, short road trips in the country and a friendly atmosphere, make a date with the Daisies.
This year, the expansion of the green fest sees a celebration of spring across the country, with Rocking The Daisies and Rocking The Gardens (Johannesburg ) taking place on the same weekend.
While sensible souls bring brollies and blankets, we’re generally blessed with brilliant weather over the festival weekend. That hasn’t stopped Gumboots from becoming a festival trademark. Other uniform items are bikinis, parasols, plakkies, parkas, gloves and really big grins. The entertainment line up gives good reason.
Reasons to smile 1: the big, beautiful stage and its wild, wonderful music
Once again, we’ve got visitors from afar. On Friday New Young Pony Club(UK) will save the night with their sing-along post-punk, New Wave and dance.
Saturday night rocks. The Springbok Nude Girls will boot up and break hearts. The rock veterans will tear up the stage that also sees rock n roll stalwarts Taxi Violence, our lady EJ von Lyrik and the ante-encore, monki-punksters, Boo!
Gentler souls will enjoy lounging around to the tune of Holiday Murray first thing on Sunday morning, whose upbeat harmonics make for a cheerful opening to a peaceful party day.
Reasons to smile 2: DJ tent – Red Bull Studio Live
Smaller than the fabulous main stage, this is the tent that rocked the rockers with a swoon of DJs playing everything from light electro to deep jungle. It was tight, it was dusty, and trust me, it was happening.
Reasons to smile 3: The comedy tent is a laugh
The Lemon Tree Theatre will have you in stitches this year. Melt – amongst others – was hilarious in 2009 with cross cultural quips, and this year promises to be your shelter from the norm. If you want to make your debut as the butt of a professional joke, wear weird clothes.
Reasons to smile 4: Cuervo Nu World Beat Barn
Mixes live and recorded with a taste for traditional beats and acoustic elements. Guy Buttery’s fine fingering and Babu’s light, lovable Indian classical fusion will feature, as well as banging dance beats from Mr. Balkanology, Maoriginal later on in the evening.
And that’s just the beginning. Expect stalls, open stretches of countryside, dipping in the dam and dancing all the away. You can see why they made it a three DAY affair that looks a little like this:
(watch out for the funny face at 0:55)
More from the organisers
We chatted to Brian Little, director of Complete Events, about some of the finer details.
CTM: RTD is really coming of age as an all-round entertainment experience with its beautiful, huge stage, last year’s comedy tent (a big hit in 2009), and the DJ tent that never slept. Is Rocking The Daisies adding any other extras or new initiatives to the experience?
Brian: Once again we will be looking to up our game on every level. This year we have put a lot of effort into the Red Bull Studio Live electronic marquee to create an experience that will be remembered long after the festival is over! We will also be adding a fourth stage this year known as the Jose Cuervo Nu World Beat Barn, this area will focus on foot-stomping beats inspired by traditional music from all around the world. Think Balkan, African, South American, Swing etc
CTM: We’re very interested in the extra efforts your exhibitors make each year. Last’s Seattle experience was quite something. Is there anything new to look forward to from stall holders, or standard favourites that the lifestyle fest would like to highlight?
Brian: When our partners come on board it’s really awesome to see them invest in the Daisies ethos and get creative with their respective areas. This year Nokia have come on board to create an exciting interactive lounge area and Levi’s® are back again with a really cool initiative in our ladies-only Daisy Den. Ray Ban have also come on board this year and will be creating a chill area where people can come relax and experience Rocking the Daisies in a completely new way.
CTM: Can we expect RTD branded gumboots, umbrellas, hats or shades any time soon?
Brian: Ha ha, unfortunately no gumboots, hats or shades this year but if you buy your festival ticket online and register with OVI Music (www.nokia.music.co.za) you will receive a free official festival tee shirt!
Visit www.rockingthedaisies.com
Dates
8, 9, 10 October 2010
Venue
Cloof Wine Estate, Darling
Tickets
Full Weekend – outlets R440 , online R465
Saturday/ Sunday – outlets R370, online R395
Sunday – online/gate R150
Cycle to Daisies – online R235
Campervan (excl. festival ticket) – online R100
by Ruth Cooper (courtesy of http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/432/41093.html)
It seems that this year’s Rocking the Daisies was not just more eco-friendly, but also more friendly in general. Reading a couple of post-event reviews, the general consensus seems to be on what a happy, fun and friendly fest it was and I, for one, would agree. Beautiful weather (excluding the vicious night winds), beautiful people, beautiful music – aaah I wish I was still there.
Saturday morning, the sun rose in a clear blue sky, the wind subsided and those not too tuckered out by a crazy Friday rose early to get the day started. As mentioned in Miss Sindy’s review, there was much to see and do, and enough entertainment options on offer to make one feel quite torn. “Shall we go check the Red Bull Radar Competition or get grooving in the electro tent, no wait, the Best of the Fest Comedy is about to get underway – maybe we’ll just stay here by the dam and work on soaking up some sun… good plan.”
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Saturday night brought more deliberation; dancing like a trancie in that very awesome electro tent with Marcus Wormstorm or hanging out with the prodigal Just Jinjer at the main stage? Just Jinger won out in my case and I think I made the right decision. They are like the poster band for Rocking the Daisies, hippy looking lead-tick, tight tight vocals and instruments-tick, happy positive and socially conscious lyrics-tick, proudly South African (even after a stint in the States)- tick. The RTD audience and I welcomed them back with open arms.
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Another proudly SA band, Prime Circle, was next on stage and rocked and worked the crowd like the true professionals they are. While waiting for Prime Circle to do their thing, a girl standing next to me proclaimed: “Sorry hun, I’m like going to mosh you when they start, their my all-time favourite band.” I replied that this should be no problem as long as I got to mosh her back. She didn’t seem to agree with this line of thinking so I disappeared to the photographers’ pit when they started and left her to mosh in peace. Personally, I find Prime Circle just a tad boring, just a little too mainstream for my taste, but on Saturday night I couldn’t help but get caught up in their tight rock tracks and, suddenly, discovered that I knew the lyrics to most of their songs.
The Black Hotels, EJ Von Lyric and Gazelle kept those there at the main stage “happy and clapping like they knew it” while Haezer, Graze Digger and Killer Robot kept the Red Bull Electro Tent thumping well on into the night.
Rocking the Daisies 09 was a huge success on many levels, learning from past years’ problems and fixing them, and then some. It’s no wonder that there were so many happy love and goodwill vibes in the air; we can’t wait for next year.
