Celebration of the legends

THE HANGOUT FEST: GIG TO PAY TRIBUTE TO TRAILBLAZING SA ROCKERS WHO PAVED THE WAY

- Hein Kaiser

It started as an idea to gather rockers who built the soundtrack of an era and give them a stage worthy of their legacy.

For veteran Mix FM DJ and South African music industry stalwart Kerry-Anne Allerston, The Hangout Fest is not just another gig on the calendar. It is a tribute. And the second installment is coming next month.

"I am doing The Hangout Fest as a tribute to all of the rock stars who paved the way for artists going forward," she said.

"I do not think this lineup will ever happen again. Life happens and bands are scattered around the world, and there are fewer and fewer opportunities for bands to perform and fewer venues to play at. To get eight bands from the '80s and '90s all on one lineup is a gigantic feat. That was my biggest mission."

The first Hangout Fest took place two years ago and featured a mix of genres and age groups. This year takes a different turn, aimed at an audience that grew up with grunge riffs, indie experimentation and stadium rock choruses. If you love Squeal, Sugardrive and Henry Ate and Plum, it's your kind of gig.