Feature

Pierre Greeff explains how teamwork makes dreamwork ahead of Liefde by die Dam

With 85% of tickets already gone Liefde By Die Dam is on track to sell out again as Emmarentia Dam prepares itself for a healthy dose of gees on the 4th of August.

Pierre Greef is amped. So amped that he took a few minutes in between recording the new Die Heuwels Fantasties album and running around sorting logistics to chat all things Liefde by die Dam.

Alright, so how do you pick the line-up for Liefde by die Dam? 

I think it’s always kind of a something old something new something borrowed something blue vibe. But basically if possible and they are available we try and get someone legendary and established we have been lucky in this regard with Laurika Rauch doing a festival set that she actually never does! We had Bongeziwe Mabandla who is my favourite SA artist at the moment, amazing to see him make waves in France and Europe.  This year it’s fantastic to have Soweto Gospel Choir who just came off their third Grammy win. Grateful to share the stage and be involved with talent of this calibre every year and see our audience grow and appreciate it.

Will Die Heuwels Fantasties be doing any sneaky collabs and if yes, with who?

If things go to plan absolutely… Frannie, SGC and maybe a surprise or two.

Any new Heuwels songs that concertgoers can look forward to hear? 

We are in the writing and production phase of our new record currently excited with a little something we made with Tarryn Lamb, lets see maybe it’s ready come show day!

Time management is crucial when you’re doing a million things at the same time. How do you effectively manage your time at the moment between everything going on with Heuwels and running this event?

I have always been in a managerial role in Heuwels as well and have been lucky the last few years to have the help of my friend and colleague Jana de Beer on the booking side of our band and the festival. This frees up some time to do what you need to do. That being said each of these events have amazing teams in Joburg and Cape Town and we couldn’t do it alone – kudos to Charlie Kanter from Morsecode, Gert and Stefan from Batallion and Merwe from Marchand. Teamwork makes the dreamwork. Cheesy but it’s true. Just like child rearing it takes a village!

Some tips for first-timers who’ve never been to the event before? 

Come early and get a lekker spot. Bring a blanket and leave it behind for our charity partners Liefde Wen, we collected over 1000 blankets last year for those who need it in this crazy cold Joburg winter – lets’ make it 2000 this year!

Okay and lastly, describe each artist on the line-up in 3 fun words:

Coenie de Villiers: classy AF

Early B: fun, fast, furious

Die Heuwels Fantasties: lean back mofo

Tarryn Lamb: super, sultry, showstopper

Francois van Coke: lekker man lekker

Martin Bester: ek doen alles

Spoegwolf: quirky, crafty, kids

Bouwer and Lucinda: hy en sy

Soweto Gospel Choir: world class magic

Tasché Burger: Bombastiese Bellville Beaut

MC Radio Raps: don’t tell me

Buy tickets here – http://bit.ly/LBDDTkts

Check out the Facebook event here – http://bit.ly/JoinLBDDJHB

Photo below courtesy of Henry Engelbrecht.