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 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.

With its family-friendly ethos, the festival appeals to people of all ages. In fact, research conducted by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal in 2009 revealed that 45% of attendees fell into the 21-30 age group, 29% in the 31-40 bracket, while 11% were over 40 years of age. The majority of attendees also stay for the full four nights of the festival.

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. Each year, the festival’s beer garden/bar area is operated by the Sani 152 Round Table and all profits are donated to deserving causes and community upliftment projects.

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 over 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, Watershed, Springbok Nude Girls, The Parlotones, Goldfish and Chris Chameleon, to name but a few.
...view a full list of all the artists who’ve performed at Splashy Fen from 1990 - 2010 >>

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!

Says Ferraz: “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.”

The 21st annual Splashy Fen Music Festival will be held over the Easter long-weekend from 1 to 5 April 2010.

Festival-goers share their Splashy memories….

Our first Splashy was 11 years ago and we fell in love . With Splashy, with the Underberg district.  Every year we made the pilgrimage to trade, to hear the awesome music and to drink in the beauty, tranquility and splendour of the Berg, escaping the chaos of Gauteng for a few brief moments.  Each year we sighed, “I wish we could stay forever, I wish we didn’t have to go back.” Until 2006.  One sun- drenched afternoon, listening to a gentle, acoustic set, feeling mellow I suddenly said, “Why do we always say we wish we didn’t have to go back, why do we always go back?”  The seed was sown.  We went back, put our house on the market, contacted estate agents in Underberg, started job hunting.  By Splashy 2007, we were happy residents of Himeville, enjoying our ‘backyard’ music festival.  We have never looked back.  Thank you Splashy for showing us how life ought to be lived.

Pete and Jacqui Huxham

GOOD MORNING SPLASHY!!! (Meant to be boomed over the loudspeaker, aimed directly at our tent at six in the morning and heard with appropriate hangover and bleary eyes...)

I'm a single Mom and my daughter and I have enjoyed many Splashy Fen camping trips over the years. I have been to 11 Splashy Fens (sadly, getting a bit older and broker now and missed last year). My daughter, Leeanne is a true veteran of 14 Splashys! We have met many new friends over the years, and cannot really explain that special something that draws us back to the mountains, and our favourite farm, year after year! Whether it’s those cool vibes drifting down the valley as the sun sets on our campfire; the chills in the river (no we don't use soap, 'cos the fish HATE it!); or the anticipation of a night in the main marquee listening to top South African talent (who will ever forget Tara Fataar's debut at 13 when she sang that Cranberries solo?) – mmmm... can't put my finger on it, but just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!

I have hundreds of pictures of good times at Splashy (some focused, others not, however my absolute favourite memory is this picture of my daughter Leeanne (then 15) and her friend Natalie alongside a ‘flower power beetle. The year must have been around 1993 and they had just taken the last of my Splashy Fen pocket money to buy a didgeridoo. This instrument was to become the bane of my life in later years but at the time, hey, everything was cool!

WE LOVE YOU SPLASHY!!!

Linda Hitzeroth

My first Splashy Fen was in 1997 and, as typical Durban boys, my mates and I arrived in Underberg in baggies and slops not knowing that it would be almost freezing at 10pm! (Splashy used to be at the end of April / beginning of May, which made quite a difference in the weather.) Trying to pitch our tents in the tall grass (the fields weren’t cut back then) with numb frozen hands was a real mission but eventually we managed and settled around a warm campfire. Hundreds of campfires littered the fields all the way to the main tent like little stars on the ground. What an awesome sight, I was hooked!

The thing that really makes Splashy the best music festival is the people and the atmosphere. It is very relaxed and friendly, the people are laid back, and it is a place where everyone can forget about their everyday problems and just be themselves without anybody judging you.

A great example is my mate Dwayne (the underpants man) who years back spent the entire weekend in only a pair of green underpants. That same year we got a hold of an old white army-style tent, which we thought we’d turn into a United Nations medical tent ? So we painted a huge red cross and the letters ‘UN’ on it. To our surprise the one afternoon a guy came into our campsite carrying his girlfriend who had sprained her ankle. They were quite disappointed that we weren’t able to help but sat down and had drinks with us nevertheless. This is another great facet of Splashy, the fact that you can wander around and make new friends wherever you go.

Many years have passed since that first very cold night and many great memories have been made, but every year, on the last morning, as we take down and roll up our tents, I can’t help but feel a bit sad at leaving but excited at coming back for next year’s Splashy Fen. It has become a meeting ground for all my friends from all over the country, and sometimes the world, where once a year we are able to reunite, have a party and share some wonderful memories together.

Paulo de Jesus

see the Splashy Fen Artists & Performers - 1990 to 2009 >>