In April 2015, Francois van Coke kicked off his solo career with a bang with the launch of his self-titled debut solo album. What followed can only be described as a year of unbounded success with numerous number ones, sold out shows, awards and shattered records left in its wake. A year later Francois released his fifth solo music video, featuring Arno Carstens – Ek Weet Nie. Due to public demand, these two rock legends continue their partnership with the rock event of the year in a special concert in Carnival City’s Big Top Arena on Friday, 24 February. Bookings can be made at Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or at www.computicket.com. Groups of more than 10 will receive substantial discounts; please phone Lefra on 011 815 3000, or send an e-mail to admin@lefra.com. You’re also welcome to discuss fundraising activities with Lefra as well. For more information, visit www.lefra.com or send an e-mail to info@lefra.co.za. The concert is made possible with the friendly co-operation of Carnival City, Stuttaford Van Lines, RSG, Sounds Good and McCarthy Volkswagen (Arcadia).
Francois 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 9 full length albums, 3 EPs and collaborated with likes of Jack Parow, Die Antwoord, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Seether (Shaun Morgan) and Karen Zoid. He has received 4 SAMA awards and multiple other prolific awards. After releasing the self-titled album Francois van Coke in 2015 to critical success, Francois van Coke returns with his second studio album Hierdie Is Die Lewe, which will be released on 2 February this year.
According to Francois, the 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,” Francois said in a recent interview. “I think the songs that I write are personal and really honest. Sometimes I feel like it’s self-centered 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.”
Arno Carstens has released 12 albums; 5 as lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls, 1 as part of Electronica project Bhelltower and 6 as a solo artist. He’s had over 20 top ten singles and won 5 SAMA Awards including Best Rock Album in 2004 for Another Universe and Best Adult Contemporary Album in 2006 for The Hello Goodbye Boys. In September 2016, Arno released his debut Afrikaans album, and to honour his roots, called it Die Aandblom 13. Thirteen tracks that tell loosely fact based stories about who he is and where he’s come from; he grew up in Worcester at Aandblom Straat 13, and still goes there as often as possible.
According to Arno, writing Die Aandblom 13 was a very different experience to the process of making any of his previous English albums. “Afrikaans is obviously my mother tongue so I could really explore the essence of the language and as a result, with this album, the songs evolved from poetry, and the music was added afterwards,” he says. Once the album was completed, Arno went back to Aandblom Straat 13 to photograph the album cover artwork, so look closely at the album sleeve and you will see a montage of the inside of the house where he grew up. It’s truly a full circle album!
Van Coke and Carstens’ show at Carnival City kicks off at 20:00. Tickets are on sale at Computicket (0861 915 8000). Groups of more than 10 will receive substantial discounts. Contact Lefra on 011 815 3000 or email admin@lefra.com.
