Magic in the Music at Emmerentia Dam

Watershed has grown from strength to strength since their first album, “In the Meantime” launched in 2000. The band has released gold and platinum albums “Wrapped in Stone” and “Mosaic” respectively. On the international front, Watershed has had huge success with songs such as Indigo Girl topping charts all over Germany. Tours of Europe followed with performances in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK to over 100 000 people.

Afrikaans music power house

Heinz Winckler, the first winner of Idols South Africa, has released a double-platinum-selling single and three chart-topping studio albums (“One Step Closer”, “Come Alive” and “Moment of Truth”) amongst other achievements both locally and internationally. This year, he signed a new record deal with the Afrikaans music power house, Select Music, and released his first and highly anticipated mainly Afrikaans album in October 2009. His first single, Ek Kan Weer in Liefde Glo, is already climbing the charts.

KwaZulu-Natal-born, singer and songwriter Jason Hartman is the co-winner of the 2009 Idols season five. He started his career back in 1996 playing in a young three-piece rock band called Triad. Hartman has recently also started a new band, with his brother and father called Men of Trees. He is also one of the founding directors of Men of the Trees, an international society of the planting and protection of trees and also creates sustainable food gardens.

Emotional music without allegiance

Masauko Chipembere and Neo Muyanga are collectively BLK Sonshine one of the most exciting and talked about groups to emerge in South Africa. They blend melodic and sometimes percussive acoustic guitars with hip-hop, jazz and folk influences. The result is emotional music that owes no allegiance to any one culture, but instead combines and enlarges musical boundaries.

Classically trained pianist Louise Carver released her first single (It Don't Matter) at the age of 17 in 1996, and her debut album (“Mirrors and Windows”) at 18. It Don't Matter spent 11 weeks in the South African National Top 40 Charts. Her new CD, “Saved by the Moonlight”, has again shown that she is a voice to be reckoned with in the music industry. She chose the title to reflect the harmony between the complexities of being human whilst living with the simple repetition of nature.

Old Mutual Encounters Concerts and MNET offer a festive spectacular for families and friends this December. Be sure to pack your umbrella, picnic blankets, and cooler boxes and let Old Mutual Encounters Concerts take care of the rest. Gates open at 12am on Sunday, 6 December.

Tickets are available via www.tunegum.com for R50 or R100 at the gate.