East Coast Radio and Trace Urban are excited to announce the launch of PARKLIFE GOURMET FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL in Durban on Sunday 11 June, joining thousands who have already attended the Parklife festivals in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Durban is in for a treat as a top selection of live acts will grace TWO stages at the first ever Parklife Gourmet Food And Music Festival at the Durban Botanic Gardens. The festival has already garnered a solid following in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and organisers at Breakout Management are excited to include Durban as its 3rd Parklife Festival city, making Parklife the only national festival of its kind.
The inaugural Parklife Festival will be headlined by internationals Matt Simons (USA), De Hofnar (Netherlands), Gavin James (Ireland), and Melvv (USA) and joined by top local acts Jeremy Loops, Matthew Mole, GoodLuck, Kyle Deutsch, Sketchy Bongo, Josh Wantie, Easy Freak and Alexander May.
Parklife Festival’s Food Village will host a vast selection of gourmet food and Durbanites will have a pick of innovative, delicious offerings across a range of culinary styles to satisfy the taste buds. Come hungry – the food selection is worth exploring and enjoying!
See what PARKLIFE 2015 was like in Johannesburg:
About The International Headliners:
New York-based singer-songwriter Matt Simons achieved his greatest commercial success with “Catch & Release” the title track from his self-titled album Catch & Release. The single achieved far bigger success after it was remixed by Dutch house duo producers Deepend, charting as “Catch & Release (Deepend Remix)” in a number of European charts including Austria, France, Germany and peaking at No. 1 on Ultratop, the official Belgian Singles Chart.
De Hofnar won over local fans when he collaborated with GoodLuck on the hit single ‘Back In The Day’ reaching #1 on radio charts across SA. His 2013 debut single ‘Oxas’, in collaboration with Gamper & Dadoni, was released by MGM Records and his first record hit over 12 million plays on Spotify. Shortly thereafter his first official EP “Zonnestraal” was released and hit over 6 million plays on Spotify and Soundcloud. With these tracks and the well-known remixes of Same Love (Macklemore), All of Me (John Legend) and Klanga (Gostan), which got 15 million plays on Youtube and Soundcloud and got supported by Tiesto, Oliver Heldens and Sam Feldt, De Hofnar quickly made a name in the melodic deep house scene.
Gavin James’ debut album ‘Bitter Pill’ has hit over 100,000 sales worldwide so far since its 2016 release. Gavin has picked up the Choice Music’s “Song Of The Year” award for ‘Bitter Pill’ and the Music Business Worldwide A&R breakthrough award in the UK. His breakthrough hit “Nervous” hit Top 10 in 6 European markets, multi-platinum in 5 and saw him perform the track across the world on the Late Show With James Corden, The Voice, Norway’s Got Talent and more. He has toured with major internationals act such as Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, and Tori Kelly and is currently working on material for his second album. This summer will see Gavin release his next single; along with a tour in the fall and leading into his sophomore album in 2018.
Hailing from Milwaukee, 20-year-old producer/DJ Melvv (AKA Jeffrey Melvin) has established himself as a rising star in music. Melvv kicked off last year’s festival season with a performance at the legendary Coachella Music Festival, with a set at the Do Lab Stage. He later went on to tour with Big Gigantic, Louis The Child, and Jai Wolf. Between his hectic touring schedule, Melvv’s most recent singles “Goodbye” and “Not Me” have topped the Hype Machine charts and have millions of streams across the world. Melvv’s unique musical background that includes early exposure to jazz, electronic, classical, and rock has come to influence him immensely. As a result, Melvv’s distinct sound cannot be contained to one genre. He continues to make a statement with each of his releases, and is set to release his debut EP in 2017. Look out for this youngster to push the boundaries and usher in a new era of electronic music.
Limited Early Bird Tickets are on sale now from Webtickets at R195 for Adults and R125 for Kids aged 5 to 12. Children under the age of 5 enter for free.
East Coast Radio and Trace Urban Presents Parklife Gourmet Food And Music Festival– Durban
Date:Sunday, 11 June 2017
Line-up: Matt Simons (USA), De Hofnar (Netherlands), Gavin James (Ireland), Melvv (USA),Jeremy Loops, Matthew Mole, GoodLuck, Kyle Deutsch, Sketchy Bongo, Josh Wantie, Easy Freak, Alexander May
Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens, 70 Saint Thomas Road, Musgrave, Durban
Times: 09:00 Gates open 10:00 First act 19:00 Event ends
Two Stages: Park Stage & The Arch
TICKET PRICES
Adult Early bird: R195 Kids (5-11) Early bird: R125 Adult Second Phase: R295 (excl R25 ticket service fee) Kids (5-11) Second Phase: R195 (excl R25 ticket service fee) Kids under 5: Free
Discover the heart of KZN at Westown Square in Shongweni – a vibrant, growing destination where shopping, dining and lifestyle come together in perfect harmony.
Here, local craft, artisanal homeware and unique products find a home, bringing the very best of our region to life.
At the centre of it all is The Town Square, your gateway to The Barn & Makers Market. Stroll through an eclectic mix of locally sourced art, beauty, fashion, homeware, food and
drink — all set alongside some of the region’s finest restaurants and exciting concept eateries.
More than just a market, The Barn is the beating heart of Westown. It’s where the community gathers each week for live music, entertainment, and a celebration of local talent.
#ItsTimeForTheWest
LOCAL IS LEKKER and we’re celebrating all things Heritage this month, in this beautiful province of KZN that we call HOME! There’s something for everyone, so follow us on social media to keep up to date.
THIS WEEKEND! OPENING OF THE PADDOCK at Westown – 27 September
Westown is excited to celebrate the opening of The Paddock– a unique new place and the ‘home’ for Westown Trails. It’s fun for the whole family, whether you’re on horseback, on your mountain bike, running or walking. Our network of marked trails, suitable for a variety of sporting codes, enhances and extends the spectacular outdoor character the area is renowned for. * Time: Hub Opens – 06:00 Official Start – 07:00 * Venue: The Paddock at Westown * Cost: No cost and complimentary bike and wash service from Cycle Science Shongweni
SPRINGBOK RUGBY IN THE BARN
Come & support The Bokke at the Westown Square Fan Park in The Barn at Westown.
Catch the live action on the big screen – our DJ will be in the house for the pre-match warm-up and post-match fun. Saturday 4 October – SA vs Argentina *Time: 15:00 * Venue: The Barn at Westown Square
Pre-match fun in the Rugby Kids Zone:
* The Garvz Sport Activation (13:00 -16:00) & Kids Activities (14:00 -16:00) including:
Baby Bok, toddler soft-play area, face painting, balloon sculpting and crafts activities
PASSION PAINT & SIP – 1 October
Release your inner artist with an evening of fun and creativity. This guided class is open to all, no matter your competency level. Be prepared to be surprised at what
you can create!
Date: Wednesday 1 October Time: 18:30 Venue: The Barn at Westown Square Cost: R250 pp incl. a complimentary drink & all materials to make your own work of art. Booking: Quicket or WhatsApp Kirsty on 083 2555 736
OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME – Follow our social media pages
Westown Square is THE PLACE TO BE this October, with a School Holiday Programme to delight kids of all ages!!
FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT WESTOWN – 3 October
Bring your picnic blankets and camp chairs for a free outdoor movie night under the stars.
Food and beverages will be sold – no food/ beverages may be brought into the venue. * Date: 3 October * Time: 18:30 * Movie: How to Train Your Dragon * Venue: The Bowl at Westown Square * Cost: Free
BLASTER WARS – the ultimate interactive fun for kids aged 5 – 13 years. Jump into action-packed group games, bouncing from one awesome game to the next, all with hands-on
safety. Activities include:
•Blaster Wars fun battles and blaster games
•Target shooting challenges
•Fun races and games for all ages Date: 7 & 8 October Venue: Grass Area/Lawn on Level 4 Time: 11:00 -13:00 Cost: R120 per child
Bookings: Tel: 066 236 8100 or email: info@blasterwars.co.za
FRIDAY FLASHBACK
Get a jump-start on the weekend with our vibrant weekly Westown Wind-down. Turn after-work drinks into a full night out at Westown Square, as we dial back the clock, with our weekly 80s-themed Friday Flashback retro music experience with DJ Spike & James VN on the decks and Happy Hour food and drink specials. Date: Every Friday Time: 16:30-21:30 Cost: Free entry
SUNDAY SOUNDTRACK VIBES
Join a line-up of Durban’s hottest musicians, every Sunday afternoon, from 12:00-15:00 in The Barn at Westown Square. Choose a bite and beverage from a diverse selection of eateries and settle in for the afternoon.
– Sunday 5 October
A regular favourite at Westown Square, Angel is in the house for this Sunday’s session. – Sunday 12 October
Popular songbird Carmen Rodrigues is back at Westown Square for a laid-back chill
interlude.
South Africa’s longest-running and most beloved music festival is back!
From 2–6 April 2026, Splashy Fen will once again transform the Drakensberg into a music lover’s paradise for its 35th anniversary celebration.
Following the overwhelming success of Splashy Fen 2025 which sold out, fans are urged to secure their tickets early for the 2026 edition. This milestone year promises a festival experience like no other, packed with music, community, and adventure in the mountains.
Otter Club Tickets: 22 September – 5 October
If you joined us in 2025, you’re officially part of the Otter Club – our insider crew who gets the first shot at Splashy Fen 2026 tickets. From 22 September to 5 October, Otter Club members enjoy exclusive early access to the lowest-priced tickets of the season. Emails with a secret link have gone out, so check your inbox (or ask your group’s ticket buyer to share it).
After 5 October, Phase 1 tickets open to the public – but don’t wait too long, as Splashy tickets move fast.
Free activities: yoga, trail runs, art workshops & more
Park by your campsite (no long treks with gear)
Family-friendly atmosphere – kids welcome!
Whether you’re a riverside regular or prefer to glamp in luxury, there’s an option to suit your style. From powered campsites to glamping tents, you can secure your accommodation now and start planning the ultimate Easter weekend escape.
For 35 years, Splashy Fen has been more than just a music festival – it’s a gathering of friends, families, and music lovers in one of the most iconic festival locations in Mzansi. With breathtaking views, world-class acts, and an atmosphere like no other, Splashy Fen 2026 is set to be our biggest celebration yet.
Mark your calendars, dust off your camping gear, and fire up the group chats – the mountains are calling.
There will be food & drinks available; no own food/drink allowed. No umbrellas or camp chairs; right of admission reserved; tickets non-refundable.
Goldfish are coming back to Durban and anticipation is running high. The globally celebrated electronic duo will headline Chris Saunders Park in Umhlanga on Friday, 26 September 2025, with music starting from 16:00 and carrying the energy through to 22:00. The open-air setting, spring weather and world-class sound make this a must-attend event. Book your tickets here.
A Power-Packed Line-up
Sharing the stage are two standout South African acts. KVLO, a master of deep, melodic house, will warm up the evening with grooves that draw everyone to the dance floor. Veranda Panda, Durban’s own electronic duo mixing live violin and bold beats, will bring their unmistakable energy and colour. Together they create the perfect build-up for Goldfish’s signature live show of saxophone, keys and driving dance rhythms.
Travel and Parking
Umhlanga is lively on a Friday evening, so plan ahead. Make use of transport apps such as Uber or Bolt, arrange a lift club, or consider local taxi services to avoid parking congestion. If you prefer to drive, give yourself extra time to find parking and settle in before the music starts.
Quick Tips for the Best Night
~ Wear shoes you can dance in and bring a light jacket for when the coastal air cools.
~ Have your ticket ready on your phone for smooth entry.
~ Leave large chairs, umbrellas and outside food or drinks at home.
Goldfish, KVLO and Veranda Panda promise a night of big sound and big energy under the stars. Whether you are a long-time fan or ready to discover their live magic for the first time, this concert will be one of Durban’s defining music moments of 2025. Secure your place now at Webtickets and get ready to dance the evening away.