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Cape Town readies for nu world music

7 July 2015

The Cape Town Nu World Festival, previously known as Cape Town World Music Festival, will bring a taste of Africa to Cape Town City Hall 17 and 18 July, Nelson Mandela International Day weekend.

It is the third year of the festival, and it promises people a unique experience, which will inspire, unite and educate by representing South Africa (and beyond) in a journey of musical discovery.

The theme this year is "Wild & Wise". According to event organisers Beanstalk, this interesting juxtaposition of old and new, of the knowing and naïve, will bring some exciting collaborations, pairing local music legends with fresh, up-and-coming artists.

Over the two days, three stages will cater to a diverse audience. There will be a seated stage for more intimate performances, a main arena for larger acts, and a late night DJ stage playing beats from all over Africa and the world.

There will also be a number of TED-style talks and a yet-to-be revealed programme of workshops led by the participating artists and a few industry leaders, as well as fringe events set to take place all over the city.

The talks start on Saturday, 17 June at 2pm, and the official website will carry more details. Get a taste of what will be on offer:

The festival is backed by the city of Cape Town. This time around, explains Cape Town Magazine, the online entertainment and culture hub for the Mother City, "the fiesta aims to showcase far more Afrocentric acts so audiences can expect a unique journey that covers everything from roots, electronic and traditional styles to modern, plus all the tunes in between".

The headline acts include Simphiwe Dana, rapper Riky Rick, Austrian beatmaker Dunkelbunt, as well as Congolese singer and musician Kanda Bongo Man. The line- up is:

• Simphiwe Dana
• Majozi
• Kanda Bonga Man (DRC)
• Dunkelbunt (Austria)
• Paul Waxon
• Riky Rick
• Bateleur
• Moussa Dialla Trio (Mali/Denmark)
• Zuko Collective
• Thris & Blackfoot Phoenix
• Native Young
• Card on Spokes
• Mookomba (Zimbabwe)
• Elemotho (Namibia)
• Fantasma
• Aero Manyelo
• Vukazithathe
• Toby2Shoes
• Ozlem Bulut (Turkey/Austria)
• Spoek VS Spoko (DJ Set)
• Tcheka & Derek Gripper

Tickets are available online via Webtickets and at Cape Town Nu World Festival, as well as at some Pick n Pay branches. Events kick off at 5pm on 17 July.

Watch Ricky Ross's official Boss Zonke music video to get a taste of what is to come:

The term "Nu World", Ma'or Harris, the festival director and co-owner of events management company Beanstalk, told Mail & Guardian newspaper, was used to describe reinventing as well as "to avoid trying to put a label on new styles of music, culture and entertainment".

It was first held as the Cape Town World Music Festival in 2012, and again in 2014. This year, with a new name and brand, it is the third outing.

"Our offering this year will be far more diverse and Afrocentric," Harris told Mail & Guardian. "The calibre of music will increase, the festival layout will be more accommodating with a larger, dedicated seated stage and an outdoor electronic stage."

The other events the company runs include Balkanology, Nu World Eve parties, Jozi Craft Beer Fest and the Nu World stages at Rocking the Daisies and Oppikoppi that they curate and run.

SAinfo reporter