If you weren’t already in the know, next Sunday Park Acoustics is throwing its 3rd Birthday Bash.
Now the line-up is pretty sick.
So too is the Jack Daniels Competition that they’re running when the doors open.
Can you tell I’m excited??
I caught up with one of Park Acoustics organisers, Niel Groenewald, to chat about and binge drinking, stolen cables and why there’s fokkol else to do on a Sunday.
So before I hit you with the hard questions, tell me who the names and brains are behind the Park Acoustic brand.
Niel Groenewald ,Henk v/d Schyf and Willie v/d Schyf.
Describe the journey of Park Acoustics from its conception to the monster of an event that it’s become today.
The concept was taken from Kirstenbosch concerts, hence a Sunday gig. I’ve always wanted to do music events. This was now 2009. Early 2010 my dad asked me, “what you doing with your life?” So that’s what sparked it. It’s now or never. At that stage Hotbox Studios was the latest craze in Pretoria. My sister who was a regular said I should speak to them (Henk & Willie), they look very professional and I had nothing to lose since I had no experience in the music industry.
Willie and Henk had a similar idea and agreed to help out. We started off in the Pretoria Botanical gardens. We stuck it out for a year till early 2011 when we spotted Fort Schanskop at the Voortrekker Monument. We then realised that Pretoria residents didn’t even know where the Voortrekker Monument was. It took some time to expose it to the public. But once people saw the fantastic views and heard the great acoustics the event mushroomed into what it is today.
We now have to do 4 larger “festival” events at the Voortrekker Monument just to keep up with the demand. January, May, September and November. The other months Park Acoustics is held inside the fort which can accommodate 2000 people. We’ve been blessed this year and sold out 3 of the 4 shows in 2013.
How long before brands saw you had a good thing going and started to climb on board and support your event?
It was never an easy road at the start. We approached a lot of brands all of them said no. We then learned that you have to earn respect and create a name for yourself before any major brand gets involved.
Charles Miller introduced us to Jack Daniels SA at the start of 2012. It took them very little convincing to get on board, they were hooked from the start. They have renewed their contract with us till 2014. It is said that Gauteng and more Pretoria is the number one seller in Jack Daniel products.
So, a party on a Sunday, hey? Do you intentionally want everyone to go to work with hangovers?
As mentioned earlier the concept was taken from Kirstenbosch concerts which happens on a Sunday. The other factor was that there was too much going on on a Saturday. Sunday afternoons, Carte Blanch and the 20:00pm movie are always boring so we decided to give our fans some good old entertainment. With regards to the “hangovers” we invited you to watch bands, we never said binge yourself drunk.
Fair enough, fair enough. So, what’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened at Park Acoustics?
We had a show with Desmond & the Tutus last year in May. When we arrived at the venue, we realised that the 3 phase cabling got stolen the previous night. We basically had to organize a 60kva generator in 45 minutes on a Sunday morning (all event organisers will know this is not easy).
Many thanks Event Power for excellent service and the Blue Array sound team that still managed to keep the programme on time.
Who’s been the act you’ve enjoyed watching the most over the last 3 years?
It’s really difficult to say. Dan Patlansky can mesmerise you with his Fender and Fancois van Coke with his poetic Afrikaans and energy. The young, up-and-coming talent is what normally stands out. The crowed will always stop and listen to an unknown band with great talent. Park Acoustics is known for getting good quality bands. We strive to keep it that way. Our real fans don’t even bother looking at the line ups any more. They know the music and vibe will always be great.
I’ve never been to a Park Acoustics so I’m looking forward to attending my first one on Sunday. Thanks again for chatting to me. Double Jack at the bar?
Tecla, let’s live a little bit and make it a triple.
HAYIBOOO. This coming from a man that apparently doesn’t encourage binge drinking?? I like him already.
WIN TICKETS TO PARK ACOUSTICS ON TEXX AND THE CITY HERE. And enjoy this gem of a video to get you amped for what’s to come.
