Time to rock at the Big Top Arena

Legendary South African artist, Francois van Coke will rock in his taal in a one-night-only show at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena on May 20.

Van Coke’s fans can look forward to seeing him perform new material from his album Hierdie Is Die Lewe, released in February.

The show, Rock in my Taal, promises to be the Afrikaans rock event of the year as van Coke collaborates with Die Heuwels Fantasties and The Sweet Resistance, as well as performs with his own band, Die Gevaar.

“We are thrilled to have Francois van Coke back on our stage again this May.

“We are expecting a sell-out show as van Coke introduces songs from his new album to his fans and collaborates with two of South Africa’s top rock bands,” said Michelle Smith, the marketing manager for Carnival City.

Van Coke is the lead singer of Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel.

During his 13-year career as lead singer of these Afrikaans rock bands, he has released nine full-length albums, three EPs and collaborated with the likes of Jack Parow, Die Antwoord, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Seether (Shaun Morgan) and Karen Zoid.

He has received four South African Music Awards (Sama) and numerous other awards.

According to van Coke, his new album is about the human condition.

“Everything that happens between birth and death, our victories and our failures.

“That’s the main theme of the album, but it’s about a lot of stuff.

“It’s about love, it’s about friendship, it’s about the future, the past, the present,” van Coke said in a recent interview.

“I think the songs that I write are personal and really honest.

“Sometimes I feel like it’s self-centred but I realised that those are the kinds of songs I like.

“I like guys that are honest and personal.

“I can relate to those kinds of songs, so those are the kinds of songs I want to write.”

Die Heuwels Fantasties, an Afrikaans alternative pop rock group from Bellville, Cape Town, is considered to be the first successful Afrikaans electronic act.

The group describes their music as “melodic songs written on acoustic guitar, interpreted with electronic and organic instruments”.

Die Heuwels Fantasties was formed in the beginning of 2008 when both Hunter Kennedy and Pierre Greeff’s bands took a break.

They formed their own record label, Supra Familias, at the same time.

They are revered for their unique music and their energetic live performances and have gathered a large and wide fan base since their inception in 2008.

Die Heuwels Fantasties has played at all the major festivals in South Africa and has shared the stage with notable international acts, including opening for Kings of Leon in 2012.

They have also toured to the Netherlands, Belgium and UK in 2010.

Rock in my Taal kicks off at 8pm.

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