April means it’s time for music lovers who enjoy the outdoors to start preparing for the annual Splashy Fen four-day music festival held in the Southern Drakensberg in Underberg on the Splashy Fen trout farm. This year’s dates are April 27 to 30.

Already announced has been the appearance of top international Irish group, Hothouse Flowers. The complete line up of The Carling Black Label Main Stage has now been released. Besides Hothouse Flowers, those performing will be Brasse Vannie Kaap, Butternut, Eminent Child, grannysmith, Halcyon, Ichabod and Jack Hammer. Also appearing will be Jane Doe, Jimmy 12", No ID, OHM, Pistolfish, Prophets of Da City, Q-Zoo, Richard Haslop, sshhh., Sunways, Tree, TRO, Watershed, and Young Ba Kuba,

Revellers are expected from all over South Africa and the individual days of the expanded four-day festival have been carefully crafted to provide the public with a unique experience on a daily basis.

April 27, the introductory evening, is “party night” with the familiar sounds of Robin Auld and Jack Hammer alongside new outfits such as two Durban bands, the rock group Ichabod and bruin funk bank T.R.O.

Hosting proceedings on April 28 and 29 will be Barney Simon from 5FM who will introduce more traditional rock and popular contemporary acts. Artists such as Prophets of Da City and Brasse Vannie Kaap will bring hip-hop for the first time to The Carling Black Label Main Stage. Artists like Jimmy 12" and Pistolfish will showcase some of the new Durban rock talent.

At the grand finale on April 30, the action becomes more experimental, with the introduction of deejays and electronic dance rearing its pulsing head for the first time in Splashy Fen’s 11 year existence. Bands like the Pretoria group sshhh will present their original trippy rock alongside Durban electronic maestros Halcyon. The more established, but recently quiet, Q-Zoo will present their earthy dance beats.

The line-ups for the Redds Bamboo Mountain Stage and The Acoustic Amphitheatre are still to be announced. More details from Nancy Hillary on 083 310-2514, Beth Hillary on (011) 646-6467/8/9 or e-mail splashyfen@authentic.co.za