Backsberg Wine Estate’s series of picnic concerts are officially in full swing with everything you’d expect from a outdoor picnic music show. The first artist to grace this small, shaded little wooden stage was a rather unexpected one. Francois van Coke and his guitarist from Van Coke Kartel, Jedd Kessow, performed a brilliant acoustic set of Van Coke and Fokofpolisiekar songs that had many a young mom singing along while the kids ran around like only kids can on a lawn this green and this grassy.
It was one of the Winelands’ trademark hot February days and as guests started arriving from 15:00, cold wine and buckets full of ice were ready to be consumed by the laid-back picnic goers. Some very impressive picnic baskets and cooler bags were emptied on the family blankets while the younger, independent crowd seemed to settle for beer and Backsberg’s trademark lamb burgers produced fresh from the braai behind the trees.
The opening act, Frank Freeman, got everyone in the perfect mood and as the weather finally started cooling down and the shade increased to a giant happy patch of people. It was clear that this is one of the best ways to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Francois van Coke put on an absolutely brilliant show, with a handful of dedicated fans shouting and cheering and many others happily head-nodding and foot tapping. Even the older crowd seemed to enjoy this version of the hardened Afrikaans rocker. And he did warn the parents (and told the kids to cover their ears) before playing songs of which the language was a little less family friendly.
All in all, Backsberg’s opening picnic concert was a resounding success and I’ll highly recommend some of the upcoming ones in February and March. Click here to view the full concert list on their website.
