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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

OLD MUTUAL MUSIC AT THE LAKE



(Matthew Mole. Courtesy of The Famous Frouws)

Sensational local singer-songwriter, Matthew Mole, is set to ignite the Durban Botanic Gardens on Sunday, October 19, when the Old Mutual Music at the Lake concert series brings quality springtime vibes to eThekwini. Supporting Mole are Hot Water and Monark

The Cape Town-born folk/electronica whizz’s debut album, The Home We Built, rocketed Mole to the top of the iTunes chart when it was released – making him the first South African artist ever to achieve this feat. The highly acclaimed album also earned Mole three SA Music Award nominations.

Hot Water, also hailing from Cape Town, is the brainchild of Donovan Copley. This uniquely South African-flavoured act delivers upbeat music that draws inspiration from genres ranging from kwasa-kwasa to sakkie-sakkie, folk, blues and maskanda. A coup for South African music is that Hot Water’s song Wamkelekile featured in this year’s blockbuster romantic comedy Blended, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

One of the most exciting acts to emerge in the past year is Monark, who are changing the face of South African pop music thanks to their richly crafted songs sporting irresistible hooks. The Gauteng-based outfit’s debut album, Negatives, has already spawned three hit radio singles and soared to number one on the local iTunes album chart on the day it was released.

“The success of these three premier South African music acts ties in perfectly with Old Mutual’s vision to empower people to do great things,” says Old Mutual sponsorship manager Bandile Mngoma. “These amazing, go-getting homegrown musicians truly embody our ethos of constantly striving to enable positive futures,” he says. “And a key part of those positive futures is the environment, which is why we are proud to be associated with the Durban Botanic Garden- as it celebrates Arbour Month.”

With the season of renewal now upon us, the Durban Botanic Gardens is looking forward to a few good showers of rain to make the gardens "spring" to life again. This will ensure they look their best for the popular garden concerts, which are returning after a three-month hiatus while the lake area underwent its annual springclean.

Pre-sold tickets R130 (R160 on the day) are available online at www.webtickets.co.za Children between 8 and 12 pay R50 (under 8’s free). All children are welcome at the KidZone for extra fun and games. Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome

Gates open at 13h00 for pre-sold tickets and at 13h30 for on-the-day ticket sales. The concert starts at 14h30

Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground. Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale Road.