The Pixies The Pixies
For those who haven’t been there before, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of the nine national botanical gardens administered by the SA National Biodiversity Institute.
It was founded in 1913 to preserve the country’s unique flora, being the first botanical garden in the world with this ethos.
Kirstenbosch places strong emphasis on the cultivation of indigenous plants, and has won 29 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show in 33 appearances.
Music-wise, for quite a few years, Kirstenbosch has been running a series of Sunday summer concerts which have seen the likes of Johnny Clegg, Mango Groove, Just Jinjer and many more grace the stage.
The rolling lawn leading down to the covered stage is a perfect setting for a concert, with an amazing mountain backdrop giving an almost natural-amphitheatre music experience.
The inaugural Rock on the Lawns music festival starts on March 16 from 6pm (show starts at 7pm) and features international act The Pixies, who will be performing for the first time on South African soil.
The Pixies are one of the most influential alternative bands of their time, influencing bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead, The Strokes, Blur and Weezer. Formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts, Pixies comprise Black Francis (born Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) on vocals and rhythm guitar, David Lovering (who has also performed solo as a magician) on drums and percussion, Joey Santiago on lead guitar and keyboards, and Paz Lenchantin (ex-Zwan and A Perfect Circle) on bass guitar, violin and vocals.
The Pixies have six albums under their belt, including Doolittle (1989), Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991).
Their album Surfer Rosa achieved a Melody Maker and Sounds Album of the Year award and was certified gold in the US in 2005.
The band’s anthems include Gigantic, Where Is My Mind, Here Comes Your Man and Monkey Gone to Heaven.
The Pixies have recently released a new album, Head Carrier, which is a 12-track collection of the band’s unique sound of surrealism, psychedelia, dissonance and surf rock.
Supporting The Pixies in Cape Town are the five-piece rock outfit Springbok Nude Girls.
Formed in Stellenbosch, they hit the local music scene in the 1990s. The band’s self-released single Bubblegum On My Boots has had major radio airplay and has since become a national classic. Springbok Nude Girls (or "The Nudies", as they are affectionately called) have a unique musical sound which combines punk, reggae, scat, metal, funk and jazz.
The band have come a long way since playing their first gig in September 1994 in a small bar in Stellenbosch, as they have headlined every major South African music festival and performed at some of the most prestigious international festivals in Europe, including Pukkelpop, one of Belgium’s biggest rock festivals, to large crowds with bands such as Portishead, Soul Coughing and the Beastie Boys.
They have also opened for the likes of Tracy Chapman, Spin Doctors, Lenny Kravitz, Smashing Pumpkins, INXS, Goo Goo Dolls and The Cult.
On their home turf, the band has received a South African Music Award for best rock performance in 1996 for It Became a Weapon. Springbok Nude Girls have also worked with South African-born producer Kevin Shirley, who has produced albums for bands such as Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Silverchair and the Black Crowes.
Springbok Nude Girls band members comprise Arno Carstens on vocals, Theo Crous on guitar, Adriaan Brand on trumpet and synthesiser, Arno Blumer on bass, and Francois Kruger on drums.
Frontman Carstens, who is also enjoying a solo career, says: “As Springbok Nude Girls, it’s supercool to open for The Pixies as we are massive fans, and their music is a big influence for us. Kirstenbosch is a beautiful venue in a beautiful setting, and I didn’t think Springbok Nude Girls would ever play there, as we’re quite loud.
"I’ve played Kirstenbosch quite a lot, but thanks to The Pixies, this will be the first time for the full band. We grew up listening to The Pixies, and all love their song Debaser. My favourite Pixies album is Trompe Le Monde, as it includes the song Planet Of Sound, my personal favourite.”
As for the future of Springbok Nude Girls, Carstens says there is talk of another album, and he has already started writing some material, but with two members doing Master's degrees and another living abroad, that might take time.
You can read more about the group at www.springboknudegirls.wordpress.com.
Title: Where Is My Mind?
Event: Rock On The Lawns featuring The Pixies
Where: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town.
When: Thursday, March 16
Tickets: From R495, available online from www.computicket.com