Artist news
Sons of Settlers will be #PlayingForChange
Sons of Settlers has just returned from Europe after what the duo have described as a very successful promotional tour of Germany and Switzerland where they performed for three-months.
“In Berlin you can play music on the street and make enough money to pay rent and buy food. There is a culture of really valuing and supporting the arts and the result is that some of the best artists in the world from all fields are drawn to Berlin,” says Gerdus Oosthuizen, lead vocals and guitar, Sons of Settlers.
This December, together with Berlin band Riders Connection, they'll be #PlayingForChange on a South African tour.
During their journey in Europe, they met Riders Connection who showed them warm-hearted hospitality and with whom they shared adventures. Riders Connection are coming to South Africa to join Sons of Settlers for The Playing for Change Tour in December and Sons of Settlers hopes to return the favour by showing them some South African hospitality.
“Riders Connection have honed their skills as entertainers on the streets of Berlin. They have a gripping presence on stage that cannot be conveyed through any recording. When you witness in person what they do when they perform, you will be drawn in before you know it,” says Le-Roi Nel, backing vocals and guitar, Sons of Settlers.
Photos by Marvin Strauch
DIY effort
Together they plan to perform all the way up the East Coast, hoping to move audiences with their respective unique styles of music. “In Europe there is a culture of showing appreciation for art through donations, i.e. throwing change into a hat. We are going to test out how this concept fairs in South Africa by also sending a donation hat around during shows,” says Gerdus.
Says Le-Roi, “This is an extreme DIY effort, we have pulled in all our favours and resources and we put together our own sound system and our own lighting rig, this enables us to play smaller venues one would not normally play and also enables us to go and play to people who would otherwise not be in a position to hear our music.”
The Playing for Change outreach initiative
The Playing for Change Tour plans to share the gift of music in their social outreach programme. Their first stop with this initiative will be the Zisukhanyo Secondary School in Philippi on 30 November. Sons of Settler’s performance will form part of the SAEP‘s (South African Education Programme) Arts Programme to inspire children to follow their dreams in music industry.
“Our intention is to go and share our music with people who would otherwise not be able to access live music. Any leads and opportunities for this would be heartily welcomed. We are looking to play to the underprivileged children, elderly, homeless and incarcerated of our country," says Gerdus.
The #PlayingForChange Tour:
Wednesday, 3 December
Waiting Room, Cape Town
Thursday, 4 December
Jackal & Hyde, Cape Town
Saturday, 6 December
Sunday, 7 December
Bohemia, Stellenbosch
Monday, 8 December
Beats on Fire at Cabrito, Green Point
Wednesday, 10 December
Cafe Roux, Noordhoek
Thursday, 11 December
Aces & Spades, Cape Town
Friday, 12 December
The Nek, Constantia
Saturday, 13 December
Root 44 Market, Stellenbosch
Tuesday, 16 December
Botrivier Hotel, Botrivier
Wednesday, 17 December
Wildebraam Berry Farm, Swellendam
Friday, 19 December
Hangklip Hotel, Hangklip
Saturday, 20 December
De Hoop Nature Reserve, De Hoop
Monday, 22 December
Sprokkelster Teater, Onrus
Tuesday, 23 December
Birkenhead Brewery, Stanford
Friday, 26 December
Mitchells Brewery Festival, Knysna
Sunday, 28 December
Mosselbay Backpackers, Mosselbay
Tuesday, 30 December
Fairy Knowe Backpackers, Wilderness
Wednesday, 31 December
Friday, 2 January
Music Kitchen, Port Elizabeth
Saturday, 3 January
Island Vibes Backpackers, Jeffreys Bay
Monday, 5 January
Cocomo Restaurant, Wilderness
Friday, 9 January
Tygerberg Campus Jool Party, Cape Town
Download Sons of Settlers' Stay Together for free. Only a 1,000 copies of Sons of Settlers debut album, Lullabies for the Restless, have been printed. The album will be available at the shows.
