SA: Durban to host drive-in concert

The SA Drive In Concert is courtesy of Gagasi FM and its programme includes a comedy show (22 October), live entertainment (23 October) and cinema (24 October). The government-regulated event is set to comply with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and will feature musicians Zakes Bantwini, DJ Tira and DJ Sox, among others.

“We pride ourselves in creating tailor-made events that music lovers can enjoy,” SA Drive In Concert committee member Kgolo Mthembu said. “Over the past decade we as an organisation have strived to curate entertainment experiences.”

DJ Sox, who is also a committee member, said: “The current government regulations have crippled not just our businesses but the entire entertainment industry. With the introduction of the drive-in festival operating under strict measures, we are hoping to open financial opportunities for the industry again.”

Promoter Zakhele Madida added: “With large gatherings being categorised as high risk, we as the stakeholders in the entertainment space need to rethink and invent new ways to make these live events work. This innovative festival was created to help relieve financial stress for so many.”

The organisers said the concert would feature a contactless ticket, food and beverage system. “Promoters, artists and DJs make most of their income from live shows. In order for the entertainment industry to avoid the risk of suffering the longest, it would mean inventing new ways and platforms for artists to perform to an audience,” they added.

Speaking to a local magazine in June, Zakes Bantwini said: “At this stage we’re thinking of sticking to doing this with 50 cars, because before lockdown, the government instructed the police to not allow venues to be filled up to over 100 people. Look, this hasn't been done before in SA, so we're going to work closer with our government on how we can stage a safe concert while promoting social distancing and teaching people about the COVID-19 pandemic [and] the importance of wearing a mask."

Drive-in concerts have been taking place around the world since the beginning of the global pandemic. In April, Danish musician Mads Langer held one of the first drive-in performances in the city of Aarhus, not long before South African music festival Splashy Fen toyed with the idea of organising similar events under the Parkflix series, but the concept never came to fruition beyond a cinematic offering near the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Druban. Meanwhile, Kenya hosted its first drive-in concert at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on 3 and 4 October, but the event was poorly attended.

Tickets to the SA Drive In Concert are available for purchase via Webtickets and at all Pick n Pay stores around the country.