Music News South Africa

Francois van Coke, Shortstraw, WONDERboom and more announced for Up the Creek 2020

The third batch of artists has been announced for the 30th Up the Creek festival which will be held at the Breede River outside of Swellendam from 6 to 9 February 2020.

More artists have been added to the lineup including headliners Francois van Coke, Shortstraw and WONDERboom. The third batch of artist announcements also include Flying Bantu, Jak Skandi, Paradise Citizens, The Unity Band, Boyes Drive and comedian Rob van Vuuren.


With the support of J
ägermeister, Francois van Coke will be returning to Up the Creek for the 30-Year Reunion at the river celebration. Organisers say Van Coke was the most requested artist amongst festival-goers to perform at the 2020 fest.

Francois van Coke, Shortstraw, WONDERboom and more announced for Up the Creek 2020

He is no doubt one of the most iconic rock acts in South Africa, so it’s only fitting that he grace the stages of a music festival that has not only been honouring South African artists for three decades, but has supported and uplifted the local music industry.

“I first played Up the Creek in 2002 with my band at the time, New World Inside. I remember throwing up on the stage and our stage manager, Dagga Dirk, made me clean it up. Since then I have been back twice with Fokofpolisiekar and once with Van Coke Kartel.

“So for me, Up the Creek is no regular show, it’s a moerse honour to play there, especially for their 30-Year Reunion at the River! Up the Creek 2020 will be my first time there as a solo artist and I can’t wait. Especially can’t wait to hang out at the river, ‘cause the festival always looks so epic on Instagram. My band and I are amped,” says Van Coke.

Francois van Coke, Shortstraw, WONDERboom and more announced for Up the Creek 2020

No Creek Reunion would be complete without WONDERboom. This iconic quartet first played at Up the Creek back in 1997, and they are still one of the most legendary rock bands in the country. Shortstraw is a firm favourite with festival-goers countrywide. Having performed at the Creek many times this indie rock band from Joburg know how to bring the vibe every time.

Rob van Vuuren’s relationship with Up the Creek goes as far back as the days of Corné and Twakkie. Add to the fact that he is one of South Africa’s finest comedians with seemingly unlimited performance capacity, and the organisers felt it wouldn’t be a reunion without him. Van Vuuren will be performing standup comedy on the Savanna Stage on Saturday as well as MCing the main stage on Saturday night. More comedians joining the lineup to be announced soon.

Here’s a reminder of the other bands the festival has announced to date: The Kiffness, Hot Water, Albert Frost and Tubatsi Mpho Moloi, Gerald Clark, Southern Wild, Bam Bam Brown, Bombshelter Beast, The Toast, The Blues Broers, Basson Laubscher and the Violent Free Peace, Crosscurrent, Sutherland, Poor Princes, Warongx, Orah and the Kites, Half ‘N Half, Amy Ayanda and Little Ringo.

Tickets are available at Howler.

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