For a 50-year-old, Vans is still looking good.
The sneaker and apparel brand that was started in California in 1966 is celebrating its half-a-century anniversary in style. This weekend, the travelling exhibition and performance concept will hit Braamfontein in Joburg.
This three-day party has big shoes to fill as word on the curb is the House of Vans Cape Town edition, which took place in March, was pretty cool. The event, which uses the brand’s tagline (Off The Wall) as a subtitle will pay particular attention to the skateboarders. In addition to a makeshift skate park, there will also be art installations, a photo exhibition, workshops and a stage for concerts on all three days.
Tomorrow will mostly be about showing the DJs some love when the likes of Ms Cosmo, Kid Fonque, Maphorisa, Themba Lunacy and Mvelo take to the decks. Rapper, Kid X, who recently parted ways with his record label, Cashtime Life, will also be on stage.
The alternative (pop and rock) scene will be represented by the likes of Al Bairre, Bye Beneco, The Plastics, The Make-Overs, The Tazers and Golden Yolk on Friday. Saturday is probably going to be the most lit performance day with artists like Kid X, Youngsta, $tilo Magolide, DJ Speedsta and others.If you’ve been in Joburg lately, you might have spotted a shirtless $tilo ice-grilling the camera mid-performance on a huge Vans billboard.
This streetwear maverick who released his Cameron Diaz mixtape last year is one of the Vans ambassadors and he’s especially thrilled about House of Vans taking a turn to the City of Gold.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the kids out there,” he told me.
“I’ve experienced House of Vans before in Cape Town so I’d like to see how the kids in Joburg kick it. I think the Joburg one is going to be the biggest one yet, just in terms of the numbers, the infrastructure and the work that was put in.”
The Boyzn Bucks member is on his Tropicana Tour – which you can find the deets of via his social media – and believes he’ll have the longevity that Vans does.
“I would definitely love for my career to be as beautiful as 50 years of Vans,” he shared.
“Think about it,? the brand is still relevant in so many sub-cultures and has been so through so many eras. Now it has landed in the hip hop sphere in its 50th year and this will not be its final frontier.”
In addition to the music, expect to see a Vans heritage items showcase as well as art by the likes of Black Koki and Danielle Clough.l House of Vans Johannesburg, 94 Juta Street, Braamfontein, from tomorrow to Saturday. Free to registered attendees only: hovjohannesburg.queueapp.com.