The first annual I Heart Joburg festival took over Joburg this past weekend. Held at the Ellis Park stadium, the concert gave music lovers a musical experience like no other – 12 hours of uninterrupted live music, pleasantly warm spring weather and an overwhelming crowd.
The concert featured 6 international musicians and 6 local acts including The Arrows, Kwesta, iFani, Zebra & Giraffe, The Graeme Watkins Project and CrashCarBurn. While the crowd was happy to see our local artists perform, it was the international acts that really mattered. Music fans came through in numbers to witness the performances of Jessie J, B.o.B, T-Pain, Jason Derulo, Panick! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy.
With such a crazy hip hop, pop and rock line-up, the event was nothing short of amazing! There was no specific headline act – although Fall Out Boy closed the event – but it was clear that every artist wanted to give a memorable performance. While every musician gave their best, it was Jessie J, Panick! At The Disco, and B.o.B who took things up a notch. Jessie J, in particular, had an incredible stage presence and it was impossible not to be captivated by her performance. She hit some seriously high notes and her vocal range and skills were absolutely impeccable. The English crooner treated audiences to all her hits including Laserlight, Do It Like a Boy and closed off her set with her breakout single Price Tag, where she called B.o.B to the stage.
The empty seats were the only disappointment, however, but hopefully this served as a learning curve for the promoters to do some better marketing next time. Apart from parking difficulties and rather expensive drinks and food for a new event, the festival was a huge success and we’re definitely looking forward to next year’s edition.
By: Moza Moyo