YOUNG GUNS

Young Guns is a new initiative to encourage, uncover and provide professional platforms for new school-going music talent in South Africa. Bands are invited, no matter their genre of music, to grab their kit, get on stage and entertain, and in return they will be supported with a venue, music backline and an audience of like-minded music-lovers.

The next gig takes place at The Pumpkin Theatre on April 14 and features Holly, Toxic Candy, The Pulse and four local school going bands from the North Coast area.

The Pulse is a Durban based alternative rock band whilst family band Undivided Roots from Pietermaritzburg are made up of brothers and sisters whose sound is steeped in rock and reggae.

Toxic Candy, the winners of the recent Upbeat Festival’s “Battle of the Bands” at Kearsney College are an exciting young band who hail from the Highway area. The concert is headlined by Holly who, whilst still at school, has managed to create a powerful reputation for herself with her catchy radio friendly brand of pop with African influences.

The brainchild of media communication and film specialist, Richard van Wyk and well-known musician and music promoter Dan Chiorboli, Young Guns has evolved from an ever-increasing need for young musicians, especially those still at school, to have live platforms to showcase their music.

“With the costs to set up and promote a gig, young bands are seldom afforded an opportunity to play live,” explains van Wyk. “After a few years of watching the band scene at schools and seeing so many really good bands play, we are aware of the needs for young musicians to be exposed to the market through other means. We hope that this initiative will play a powerful role in helping to develop the hidden talent that exists.”

“Each band gets to play four songs: two originals, one current cover and one classic cover or pre-1980 song” says Chiorboli. “As we develop the concept, we will intersperse more experienced young talent alongside new discoveries so there is a sharing of experience at these gigs.”

The next Young Guns takes place at The Pumpkin Theatre in Ballito on April 14 from 14h00 onwards Tickets R30 at the door.

Those bands wishing to perform in Young Guns, should contact Richard van Wyk on richardvanwyk07@gmail.com or Dan Chiorboli on dan.chiorboli@gmail.com