Vrede Fest is a music festival that was organised to promote the Vrede Foundation, which is set up in honour of Herman Pretorius, well known for his involvement and positive contribution to the SA music scene. The Vrede Foundation aims to raise awareness amongst young South Africans with regards to cancer as well as raise funds. Pretorius tragically lost his life to cancer at far too young an age on 20 August 2009; however his contribution to the SA music scene and memory lives on with the Vrede Foundation.
Unfortunately, we missed D7 and Foto Na Dans, but arrived just in time to catch the Dirty Skirts. As the fest was to raise awareness of cancer amongst the young it was quite understandably under-18s friendly, and we seemed to have stumbled across most of them towards the front of the stage for The Dirty Skirts performance. There's nothing like a whole bunch of over-excited pubescent boys moshing around you to make you feel a bit old and past it. But, no matter, we danced along with the best of them, but wisely chose to watch from the back when aKing and Fokofpolisiekar took to the stage.
aKing were up next and, as good friends of Herman Pretorius, I'm sure played quite an emotional gig that covered all their well-known and favourite songs, including Safe as Houses, Guilty as Sin and In the Twilight.
If we thought the young ones were excited for The Dirty Skirts, it was nothing compared to their excitement level for Fokof's performance. No surprises there - it was Fokof, at Klien Libertas, one can't really expect anything less. This is one band that I have come more and more appreciative of recently and they might even inspire me to polish up on that rusty school Afrikaans. Not only great entertainers, but also great musicians. Fokof effectively ended our night on a high.
Vrede Fest is not only a great music event, but also is in honour of a worthy charity. All ticket and merchandise proceeds go to the Vrede Foundation, so not only will you have a rocking party, but can also feel good that you are helping a very worthy cause. Musiek met Mening!
