Splashy Fen getting ready to rock

This year's line-up features Van Coke Kartel, Zebra & Giraffe, The Graeme Watkins Project, Jeremy Loops, Arno Carstens and Albert Frost, Tidal Waves, The Black Hotels, Dan Patlansky, The Rudimentals, Lark (Electro), Madala Kunene, John Ellis, Gary Thomas, Shadowclub, Mr Cat and The Jackal, Gangs of Ballet, The La Els, December Streets, City Bowl Mizers, PH Fat and Niskerone, among many others. (View the full programme at www.splashyfen.co.za/program.html )

However, according to festival organiser Pedro Carlo, of all the genres, the one most strongly represented is rock, served up in a number of different ways - from rockabilly and bluegrass to alternative rock, melodic punk rock, instrumental progressive rock, and a new wave of that all-time favourite, rock 'n' roll.

Aside from the music, there are also loads of fun activities for the whole family (think tubing in the river, paintball, zip-lining and a giant 12-metre slide), as well as a vibrant craft market and retail area, numerous food and drink outlets, children's entertainment and a separate family campsite. And that's not forgetting the joys of being in the great outdoors, in the heart of the majestic southern Drakensberg.

Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and include camping for the entire festival. Children aged four to 11 pay R125 and children under four get in free. Gates open at 7am on Thursday, 5 April. No under -18s without parental supervision.

For more information, go to www.splashyfen.co.za or call +27 (0)31 563 0824.