By Jackson van den Heever
Karoo Saloon in collaboration with South African Metal veterans, Mind Assault, this weekend brings you everything your dear metal hearts have been hoping for throughout this Covid nightmare.
UPDATE: This Event has been SOLD OUT!
Live music, the opportunity to drink, camp and act like adorable wood-nymphs deep in the night while maintaining our scary exterior to the outside world when we get back home. It’s the balance we need, shhh.
Being stuck in our home towns might have made your skin crawl, therefore, getting in your car with friends or perhaps jumping on the charted bus to the awe-inspiring countryside out on Route 62, Karoo Saloon in Barrydale for a one of a kind overnight getaway, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
What you can expect is two full sets by Mind Assault, drinks and gorgeous food by local legend Carol, all while maintaining a covid-safe environment.
While the presenters of this incredible event are well versed in the outdoor camping life, as well as many metal fans all over the Cape, they are also very aware that camping isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; Therefore limited on-site B&B are also available, but book soon before your only option is that two man tent for all four of your friends, plus the dude who tagged along last minute.
As you can imagine, the Klein Karoo has plenty of open space for those more vigilant about their personal space and for those who take social distancing even more seriously, Mind Assault and the Karoo Saloon has your back (and your front) with designated safe zones to socially distance to your heart’s content, all while having a good time with great music.
While compared to what we might have gotten used to over the years of metal festivals, this is not the event to start pulling out measuring sticks.
It is to be stressed that this is in no way an event to be overlooked in light of what we as music lovers and makers have been going through over the last year and a half.
It is in fact a hail mary, a light at the (not so quiet) end of this dark tunnel. This is our opportunity to experience something new, something bold, something as courageous as what metal music has always represented.
After mauling the idea over for the last three years, the organizers have finally put this plan into action, marking the first of an annual plan to continue in this vein.
The timing just happens to match up as the frustrations in our country rise surrounding this virus. When has there been a better time to get out and remind ourselves that there’s still life out there to live, friends to see, drinks to be had, music, old and new to consume and something more to look forward to next year when they pick this bold venture up again?
If you’re looking for a purely natural setting to rediscover the safe space that you’ve always known live metal music to be then the Klein Karoo is the sanctuary your soul’s been calling to.
Surrounded by fruit orchards, making its bed in the hills of the Langeberg mountains, slip into a warm bed, blow-up mattress or hell, just your sleeping bag if it suits you after indulging in the fire/braai facilities and dipping pool for that cool-off session after moshing your lion manes loose.
It’s no surprise that Mind Assault would be the band to lead the charge in this venture. In the 18 years of a stellar live career, they’ve always been known to step first when the opportunity to give us something to look forward to arises.
Take their latest album for example. The Cult of Conflict released 1 March of this year, reminded us that even though Uncle Cyril said the time for kissing is temporarily over, we can still have music, friendship, connection, good food and good vibes.
