It is a cliché, but honestly, this year’s Vodacom July taking place on July 7 is going to be the biggest and best yet.
At the time of going to print, sponsors Vodacom had decided to keep mum about their rollout of events before, during and after race day, but other participants in the occasion were more than happy to share their plans.
Tent town, on the Royal Durban Golf Course in the middle of Greyville Racecourse, has become so popular, the little avenues now have names. Corporates’ tents as well as night clubs all clamour for space and the interior décor of the marquees becomes more palatial each year.
Then, of course, there are the after parties, where those who never attended the races can still partake in the festivities. The big one this year is the MTN Fact Durban Rocks.
Put together by Durban’s visionary record label owner, DJ, producer, club owner and all-around entertainment guru, Tira, this post-party first took place last year and attracted 8 000 people at the outer fields of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Tira is hoping to attract 10 000 this year.
The line-up for the MTN Fact Durban Rocks could ensure this comes true. It is the best SA has to offer in the current who’s hot stakes – Big Nuz, Mi Casa, AKA, Liquideep, Black Motion, Mahoota vs Vetkuk, Spikiri, Zakwe, Teargas, L’Vovo and DJ Kent, to name just a few. These and many more will be playing on the main stage.
For those music fans who prefer straight up house, look out for the Red Bull Stage – Culoe De Song, Abicah Soul, DJs Zinhle, Cndo, Bongz, Twitty and Sox as well as Coco Loco and Mono T.
MCs on the night will be Club 808’s Dineo Ranaka and Mo Flava with popular local radio station Gagasi’s Lekomotion and Thandolwethu also participating.
On the other side of the course there is the traditional after party at the DLI Hall which always attracts a young crowd eager to dance to the most up-to-date dance music.
Delasol in Florida Road will be pumping with an all star line-up: DJ Naves, Black Coffee and Mi Casa. For a club after party experience, it doesn’t get better than that.
Delasol will also kick off proceedings on the Friday night (July 6) with a pre-party. They are offering legendary house DJs Vinny da Vinci and Christos. Metro FM’s Sphectacular and Naves will balance out the night with hip hop beats.
Staying with Delasol, the MTVbase Delasol Lifestyle Oasis comes highly recommended this year. Situated at the far end of the course, this village offers 5 000 guests a fabulous day at the races. It ranges from VVIP pavilions to luxurious lounges, bars, betting stations as well as gourmet dining experiences.
Lifestyle Oasis also invites SA’s top celebs to enjoy the day with them and it is one of the best ways to play celebrity spotting in between the betting and other fun on offer.
The entertainment starts after the main race and with the combination of MTVbase and Delasol, the line-up is awesome – Mi Casa, Zakes Bantwini, Khuli Chana, AKA, the beautiful Lulo Café as well as Black Coffee, who will be all over the show that weekend.
What with speaking at the SA Music Conference to playing at their SA Dance Music Awards after party to performing at the Afrotainment marquee, he is the man of the moment.
Oh, and rumour has it he will also perform in the Vodacom VIP area with Arno Carstens, but Vodacom could not confirm this at the time of going to press.
In fact, the only event he is not performing at is the MTN Fact Durban Rocks concert.
However, as mentioned, Black Coffee will be at Tira’s July event – the Afrotainment marquee.
Here, Tira the entrepreneur has been rather clever. The MTN Fact Durban Rocks Concert caters for his grassroots fans, while the marquee at Greyville Racecourse will cater for his platinum fans.
They are making history as the first independent record label to host its own marquee. He has incorporated Gagasi FM and e.tv’s Club 808 to share the day. Of course, the Afrotainment stable will be out in full force.
“Our marquee has fresh, young blood,” explained Tira. “The entertainment alone proves that in the form of Liquideep and Black Coffee. These are the guys of the moment who are entertaining here.
“Afrotainment is at the top of its game right now. I wanted to do this to entertain our platinum followers,” he continued.
“We do have people who are executives who follow us. We want to touch base with them and have them enjoy a day with us at the Durban July. I will be hosting the marquee and making sure everyone is looked after and having a good time.”
These are just a few of the fantastic experiences on offer at the Vodacom Durban July.
Now, hands up who is not going to be in Durban on that weekend?