IT’S the Shifty40 Oppie Weskus Koppie this weekend. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, Shifty troubadour, Rian Malan, has a few compelling reasons why you should get up and…
“Yo Manne and Sisters! Tired of war, inflation and load shedding? Wish you were young again and heading towards Jameson’s with a song in your heart and a fat skyf between your fingers ‘cos it is Friday night and the Lurchers are playing and your lungs are bursting with the great rebel cry of the time: “Fuck apartheid! Let’s dance!”
If so, you need to go book a ticket at Quicket for the great Shifty Records reunion at Steenbokfontein farm on the West Coast, December 1 through 3, starring noted subversives and betogers from back when. The Great Koos Kombuis will be there, along with the immortal Mac and Hilton from the Genuines and His Royal Highness Hanepoot van Tonder from too many great bands to enumerate. Not to mention Lloyd and Warwick, the okes with the musical caravan, and Simba Morri, the bru with the Swahili grooves.
For those who make the trip to Farmer Burger’s, just south of Lamberts Bay, near the famous seafood restaurant, you’ll get a fat jol in a unique setting close to some cool surf spots, Bushman caves, a chance of sighting the second longest train in the universe, a mighty Weskus potjie on the Saturday night, plus loads of cool music by various greats and immortals, and a free record by a band you have never heard of and might not even like.
Included in the line-up will be the artistes formerly known as the Vermaaklikheid Bakkery Orkes. This odd little folk outfit fell on hard times when the bakery after which they were named went bust, forcing them to become Was Daar. Was where? Well, exactly. Some of the music is from the Sinai Desert, some from the dark side of the River Dniepro, some from Fietas or even um, Van Wyksdorp.
Was Daar will launch their debut album The Brak Sessions at Shifty40 Oppie Weskus Koppie, and everyone who buys a ticket of any kind, or generously donates moolah to the musicians (on the above Quicket site) will receive a download code for The Brak Sessions. You can sample their sounds here.
But your heart, dudes and dudettes; your heart will know you’ve done the right thing by going among people who give you a lekker gevoel, cos you all know what it was to be young and alive and even voelvry in a strange place like the one we grew up in. Moenie fade nie, nê! Kom kamp saam.
For those not wanting to camp, there are accommodation options in Lamberts Bay, and Lloyd has found reasonably priced accommodation 3km from the Quarry. Grootvlei Eco Village is basic but friendly.
