The Splashy Fen Story

From its early beginnings back in 1990, Splashy Fen has evolved into one of South Africa’s premier music festivals which nowadays sees thousands of people making the annual pilgrimage to Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal for what is regarded by many as the ‘ultimate outdoor experience’.

Over the years, this much-loved festival has built a strong reputation as being a financially viable, responsible and well-organised event that continues to reinvent itself so as to stay relevant. Although continuously adapting to changing trends, Splashy Fen has nevertheless managed to retain its unique character and appeal; that special ‘something’ – the people, the vibe, the sense of family – which has allowed it to endure for nearly two decades to become the longest-running music festival in the country.

So where did it all start?

The idea of holding a music festival first came to Peter Ferraz and his wife Almary when they attended the Festival of the Flower Children at Woburn Abbey in England in 1967. The experience made a lasting impression on the couple and, many years later, after buying a farm near Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg, they finally started working on making their dream a reality.

“We realised immediately that the farm was perfect for a music festival,” recalls Ferraz. “With its natural amphitheatre, great acoustics, breathtaking mountain vistas, winding river and lots of fields for camping, no one could ask for a more ideal setting.”

So, while it may have taken several decades for the grand plan to come together, the inaugural Splashy Fen Music Festival duly made South African history in October 1990.

Held over two days, its original aim according to Ferraz, was “to have a really good time with a few musicians playing round campfires, joined by some truly passionate music-lovers.” No one was more surprised than Ferraz when, instead of the anticipated attendance of 200, they attracted 1 200 enthusiasts, who camped under the stars and listened to artists like Tony Cox, the Silver Creek Mountain Band, Plagal Cadence and Syd Kitchen.

Infrastructure was rudimentary – a make-shift stage, a tractor-powered generator and a few portable toilets. “There was no Eskom then,” recalls Ferraz. “Power was provided by my ancient little tractor driving an erratic farm generator. Every so often the music would stop for 20 minutes while the tractor was refuelled, but nobody complained. The foundations for today’s mellow Splashy vibe were laid right then and there.

A late snowfall on the final day of the festival also failed to act as a deterrent, but later saw Splashy’s positioning on the calendar change to early May and more recently to the Easter long-weekend.

Despite all this, the pioneering Splashy Fen Music Festival was so successful that another was organised the following year, and the year after that – and so began the saga of an event that has become an integral part of the South African music scene.

Expansion

Today, Splashy Fen prides itself on offering festival-goers a total entertainment ‘package’ that goes beyond great live music performances to include a wide choice of outdoor leisure and adventure activities for the whole family, as well as a multitude of different food and drinks outlets, colourful craft stalls and a children’s entertainment marquee and crèche. Also on offer are much-improved camping facilities, a separate family campsite and even a tent hotel.

Ferraz is quick to point out, however, that although efforts are continuously made to introduce fresh ideas, the basic formula of providing a therapeutic break from the real world coupled with top-quality entertainment, remains the same.

“Nobody can ever say that Splashy Fen is the same old thing year after year. On the contrary, we are always on the look-out for new ways to enhance the festival but never at the risk of losing the special ambience that is unique to Splashy and sets us apart from other festivals.”

Lessons learned and expertise gained over the years means that attendees can expect only the very best in terms of production and event management, which is now slicker and more professional than ever before.

Infrastructure has also been built up to support the growing festival. This includes Eskom power and stand-by generators, public telephones, permanent and temporary ablution facilities and a marquee ‘village’ to accommodate the different stages, bar areas, security and medical services. Tons of sound, stage and lighting equipment is assembled each year to ensure that the quality of the sound matches the quality of the music.

The most recent development is the widening and re-grading of the festival access road in 2008, which will do much to avoid bottlenecks in the event of heavy rains.

Attendance

In terms of numbers, attendance has grown to a point where Splashy Fen now attracts in the region of 10 000 people annually from all corners of the country and abroad – and this despite occasionally coinciding with international concerts and adverse weather conditions. It is also evident by the growing popularity of the family campsite and children’s entertainment marquee that efforts to make the festival even more family friendly are paying off.

Splashy Fen is indeed a festival for people of all ages, a fact that is supported by research conducted by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, which in 2008 revealed that 35% of attendees fell into the 21-30 age group, 22% in the 31-40 bracket, while 19% were over 40 years of age.

But what of the impact on the environment? Well, according to Ferraz, most festival-goers spend their time on previously cultivated fields which can again be put under the plough for agriculture. As for the wilder areas, the number of people present over the Splashy weekend probably has less impact than a herd of cattle over several months!

Splashy Fen has also adopted a ‘no glass’ policy. While glass may be more ‘green’ than plastic (which is easily cleared up after the event), broken bottles and the like are not only an immediate danger to festival-goers but also a long-term hazard to the livestock whose grazing pastures are being ‘borrowed’ for the festival weekend.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that, as the festival has grown, so too have the donations made to charitable organisations. As is the case each year, a large percentage of the bar proceeds is donated to needy causes via the Sani Round Table, an exercise in which Splashy Fen has long been proud to participate.

Other spin-offs include the festival’s ongoing contribution to economic growth in the local community and province through job creation, business opportunities and increased tourism.

Platform for top and emerging artists

Widely recognised for its contribution to promoting local music, Splashy has since its inception provided a platform for close to 1 500 established and emerging artists and helped kick-start many a successful music career. Well-known artists who’ve performed at the festival include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vusi Mahlasela, Koos Kombuis, Jennifer Ferguson, Madala Kunene, Lesley Rae Dowling, Neill Solomon, Landscape Prayers, Tananas, Just Jinger, Prime Circle, Hothouse Flowers, Tree63, Dan Patlansky, Phuzekhemisi, Watershed, Springbok Nude Girls, The Parlotones and Chris Chameleon, to name but a few.

There is now also a broader range of music on offer compared to the acoustic, largely folk selection of Splashy’s earlier days. Over the years, the focus has expanded to include a wide spectrum of different music genres – from folk, blues and rock to electro dance and other contemporary styles – all ultimately aimed at appealing to the broadest audience possible.

“While it’s important that we keep pace with current trends, it’s equally important that we remain true to Splashy’s roots and the softer, acoustic styles that are so much a part of our history,” says Ferraz. “We are also committed to staying at the forefront when it comes to providing a platform for emerging artists – all the talented up-and-coming bands and solo performers destined to be the stars of tomorrow.”

He adds that one of the festival’s priorities is to continue to bring the best in South African music to as many people as possible at a reasonable cost. Considering that the line-up usually consists of about 70 different acts, it works out at around R6 to see each of them perform.

Safety and security

Safety is always a concern at any large gathering and the Splashy Fen organisers take this responsibility extremely seriously and work closely with the necessary authorities to keep the festival as incident-free as possible. Splashy is fortunate to have strong police support from SAPS KZN, Himeville and Bushmansnek, which includes an on-site uniformed and undercover police presence, as well as road blocks to and from the festival.

In addition there is 24-hour gate control, a 24-hour emergency number, 24-hour security both inside and around the perimeter of the festival, as well as a 24-hour medical tent manned by professional medical personnel. The festival also enjoys the support of the local Kwa-Sani Municipality and Community Watch. On top of that, suppliers are required to produce certificates to vouch for the safety of infrastructure like marquees, stages, electrical wiring and so on.

According to Ferraz, the focus of the festival’s security planning is on swift response and the ability to nip potential problems in the bud. “There has hardly been a single significant incident of aggression during Splashy’s entire history, which is remarkable given the numbers involved. We have a good track record and certainly aim to keep it that way, bearing in mind that we place great store on our festival, more than any other, being a family-oriented affair and definitely the gentlest on the circuit.

Celebrating 20 festivals

Over the years, this unique festival has certainly made its mark – not only on the lives of all those loyal ‘Splashyfenners’ and the musicians who have graced its stages, but also on the South African music scene as a whole. Splashy Fen is, quite simply, Splashy Fen. There’s nothing else quite like it and long may it continue!

This is a sentiment shared by Ferraz, who is upbeat about the imminent celebration of the 20th Splashy Fen Music Festival from 9-13 April 2009: “It’s important to me that Splashy Fen continues long into the future – it’s become an institution that brightens the lives of everyone involved and all the people who have helped it endure for so long.”

see the Splashy Fen Artists & Performers - 1990 to 2008 >>