The Lucky Fish Music Festival announces the inclusion of superstar cult hero;
Rodriguez.
Lucky Fish Music Festival 3 – 6 September, Jagfontein Gauteng. 2009
Authentic Ideas and the Lucky Fish Music Festival are proud to announce the inclusion of Rodriguez on the bill for this year’s line up. Rodriguez is the second international act to be announced for the 2009 programme. Australian hardcore band, Parkway Drive was announced earlier this year.
Rodriguez is currently one of the world’s biggest cult musicians with fans all over the world from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, to UK and across the USA. However, it was not until 15 years ago, when he was rediscovered working on a building site, (by a local journalist and other enthusiasts who had embarked on a campaign to find him); did the songwriter and singer of “Sugar Man” and “I Wonder” realise that his defining album “Cold Fact” (1970) had become a cult classic and that he was a beacon of revolution for the people of South Africa. Rodriguez had completely turned his back on the music industry after his albums “Cold Fact” and “Coming From Reality” (1972) were unsuccessful.
While his music career faded to little more than a memory in his life, Rodriguez lived an unobtrusive existence, unaware that his legend continued to grow in the Southern Hemisphere. “Cold Fact” became a word of mouth success especially amongst the youth in the South African armed forces that identified with his counter-cultural bent. Many thought Rodriguez was dead and his album went platinum in South Africa without him ever earning one cent. Today Rodriguez is spoken of in the same reverent tones as The Doors and Jimi Hendrix.
Since 1994, when he was “rediscovered”, Rodriguez returned to South Africa and Namibia four times and his albums have been released on CD worldwide. In 1998 Rodriguez featured in a television documentary “Dead Men Don’t Tour”. After more than 35 years it seems that the wheel of fortune is finally turning and Rodriguez’s fame is rapidly growing in his home town Detroit and throughout the USA. His albums are being re-released and there is a documentary movie being made about the “Sugarman” himself.
In 2001, Rodriquez completed a 16 date tour of South Africa. The final performance was held at Woodstock 3 and many thousands of fans turned out to sing-a-long with their hero. This unifying and electric performance is one of the reasons Lucky Fish approached his management team for inclusion on this year’s festival. Says festival director, Nancy Hillary, “Watching Rodriguez perform at Woodstock was one of the most powerful backstage moments of my life. The pure love that emanated from the audience to the stage had me on the verge of tears. It is one of my favourite Woodstock memories, and that feeling of love, unity and happiness is something that the Lucky Fish Festival wants to instill in its patrons.”
The Lucky Fish Music Festival takes place at the Route 28 Resort in Jagfontein, just outside of Westonaria in Gauteng in the beginning of September. The festival features four days of live music, deejays, fashion, flea-markets, beer tents, a wide variety of food, swimming, games, comedy and adhoc performances.
Local band submissions are currently being accepted and the first few local artistes will be announced in the coming weeks. Bands and artistes wishing to submit for consideration should send a brief biography, myspace links and contact details to info@luckyfishfestival.co.za. Absolutely no MP3’s will be accepted.
Tickets are available through Computicket at the early bird price of R220 until the beginning of July and thereafter become R320 and R350 at the gates of the event. Bulk tickets can be purchased directly through Authentic Ideas.
Food and flea-market traders that wish to get involved in the event should contact nancy@authenticideas.co.za for application documents.
The Lucky Fish Festival is more than a once a year festival. There are several warm up events and mini concerts leading up to the event and strings of audition nights for young bands. The festival is also actively involved in The Durex Ultimate Battle, providing platforms for winners and chosen bands throughout the contest. This year the Lucky Fish Music Festival will also showcase at the Outdoor Expo over the 6th and 7th of June and at the Mediatech Expo over the 23 -25th of June.
Fans on facebook are used to the regular “Reasons to be called a Lucky Fish” discount offers that happen once a month for shows around the country. “Lucky Fish is a celebration of our music and lifestyle. It’s our way of saying thank you for all of the support over the years and months and we want to reward our community for their avid support.” Clint McKeon, Festival Director.
For more information on the festival, please use the following contact details:
Authentic Ideas: (011) 646 6467 www.theauthenticgroup.co.za nancy@authenticideas.co.za
Lucky Fish on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?eid=66807618851#/pages/Lucky-Fish-Music-Festival/26096714342?ref=ts
Media Enquiries and accreditation: nancy@authenticideas.co.za
Posted by Brian Currin 
Posted by Brian Currin 
Posted by Brian Currin 
