The River Republic music festival. Picture: Jorge Carlos The River Republic music festival. Picture: Jorge Carlos
The organisers of Up the Creek, South Africa’s second longest-running music festival, have created a second family friendly music festival, running at the beginning of the festive season.
River Republic is set to quench the thirst for an amazing SA music line-up. Situated on the lush banks of the Breede River, just around the bend from Up the Creek, River Republic enables children also to experience the wonders of great live music.
Caitlin Hanley, of Red Hot Events, says: “The idea of River Republic is to keep it small so we cap it at 800 people. This year we have made a bit more space for a vendor and food court area and a pop-up gin bar.
"There’s going to be lots of fun things happening - like a ‘Mexican madness special’ during Los Tacos’s performance and smaller elements throughout the weekend, such as live comedy with Anne Hirsch as the MC and a ‘wake up, shake up’ dance, movement and expression session in the morning before heading on to the main entertainment, which starts at 6pm on Friday. There will also be a pop-up coffee stand.”
One act that is taking the local music scene by storm and will be performing on the main stage is the five-piece alternative/folk rock band, Brynn It, featuring Jules Terea on vocals and rhythm guitar; David van Vuuren, front man of Southern Wild, on lead guitar and backing vocals; Hezron Chetty on violin, Alex Smillie, also from Southern Wild, on bass; and Eddy Kriel on drums.
Terea says: “I started Brynn three years ago with two mates of mine writing delicate folk stuff. Later we decided to put a new band together which shaped naturally into the current line-up, which formed in January this year. Our sound is an amalgamation of rock, folk, soul and oriental.
“When we first started, we played smaller venues to develop our sound. River Republic is our first proper festival as a band. Our debut album will be out in March next year.”
Also on the line-up are the Nomadic Orchestra, Jackal and The Wind, The Kiffness, Brothers Remedy, Sean Koch Trio, Money for Bali and Bam Bam Brown.
* Where: Breede River (just outside Swellendam).
When: November 24
and 26.
Ticket prices start from R350 (full weekend for kids 12 years and over).
For more info and to buy tickets, visit