Idols winner Dave van Vuuren headlines the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens series, which kicks off at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden this Sunday, 13 May – making it a perfect Mother’s Day treat!
“‘It’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of the series,” says Dave. “Music is a message that needs to be conveyed to all walks of life and performing at the gardens will be such a special way of getting that message out there. I’m really looking forward to the show and hope my fans are too. The setting is perfect for a great afternoon of music and fun and we hope to see as many people there as possible!”
Glamour caught up with Dave to find out what the future plans are for his band and to give us a little update on that proposal!
You’re performing at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens this Mother’s Day. What other plans do you have for this coming Sunday?
Yes I am, I plan to spoil my ma!
How did your mom react when you took the title of last year’s Idols winner?
She was extremely proud and I think a bit relieved as well. I wasn’t the most academic son on the planet. Still, she always believed in me…
Do you have a new album in the works or are you focused on promoting yourself first before you release a new one?
Well, I am currently writing the new album with my band but we want to promote the initial one first. Hopefully we will be in studio by the end of the year.
Soon after winning Idols you proposed to you long-time girlfriend, Jess Nolan. Have you guys set a date yet?
We’re looking to get married in the beginning of 2013, in the summertime.
You’ve received a lot of exposure and support from your record label after winning Idols. Do you have plans on marketing yourself internationally?
Yes, they’ve been really cool… We are going to be international. We want to release the second album overseas… we just have to get everyone else to agree. You see, we’re an Indie Progressive Soul band and I think we’d do well in the UK first and then America.
Who would you say is your main influence when writing a song?
Love. God. Peace. Unity. Spirituality and the current state of mankind.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Alex Turner from The Arctic Monkeys, Brandon Boyd from Incubus and Mr Flowers from The Killers.
What advice would you give to other young artists?
Follow your soul.
What are your future plans and where will you be touring this year?
Future plans are to help influence the world into a state of self realisation and pure happiness. I want to tour the whole country.
The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens series presents live concerts every two weeks throughout the winter season at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden and is an extension of their sponsorship of the legendary Kirstenbosch Music series in Cape Town. Following Van Vuuren, other top SA acts will also be performing this season including Jack Parow, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Van Coke Kartel and the Graeme Watkins Project.
The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens performance takes place in the middle of the natural beauty of the botanical gardens and fans are encouraged to come early, bring picnic chairs and blankets and spend the day in the gorgeous natural surroundings.
For more on the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens music series go to www.oldmutual.co.za/musicinthegardens.
Tickets for all concerts are available at www.ticketbreak.co.za. R5 from every pre-sold ticket (tickets purchased on the website) is given to the Wildlands Conservation Trust for their Trees for Life initiative where community members grow trees to sustain thir livelihoods.
Tickets are available from Ticketbreak at R80, pre-sale at the gardens for R90, and for R100 on the day from Ticketbreak and at the venue. Another bonus for mums: children under 13 get in for free! A restaurant and Tea Garden available on site, and alcoholic beverages are for sale at the restaurant and tea garden.
Gates open: 11h00
Opening act: 13h00
Main act: 15h00
Gates close: 18h00
We’re giving away 5 double tickets to the concert – and each winner will also receive a Dave van Vuuren CD! To stand a chance of winning, just fill in your details below.
