News - White Mountain Festival 2007

Folk-rock legends Magna Carta to perform at White Mountain

English folk-rock legends Magna Carta have been confirmed as the featured act for this year’s White Mountain Festival, which runs over the Heritage Day long weekend from 21 to 24 September 2007. Returning to South Africa for the first time in 30 years, this world-renowned group will join a number of top local artists to bring festival-goers three days of unforgettable acoustic music in one of the most idyllic spots in the Central Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Formed in 1969, Magna Carta is probably best-known for classic releases like Seasons and Lord of the Ages. They have performed in over 60 countries, sold more than 8 million albums and played alongside the likes of Cat Stevens, America, the Beach Boys, David Bowie and Dire Straits among many others.

Having just completed their 37th album, Backroads, Magna Carta continues to tour extensively under the current line-up of founding member Chris Simpson (vocals and guitar), Linda Taylor (vocals, guitar and woodwind) and Dutch-born Matt Barnhoorn (electric mandolin and violin), who also guests with English folk band Fairport Convention. Old and new fans alike can expect to be mesmerised by these virtuosos and the spiritual and soulful quality of their songs – a quality that has seen Magna Carta endure for over 35 years, making them one of the longest running acoustic acts in the world today.

Also confirmed for the 2007 White Mountain Festival are talented South African artists Dan Patlansky, who’ll be playing an unplugged set, Farryl Purkiss, Southern Gypsey Queen, Rory Eliot and The Reason, Sitter, Roly Struckmeyer and Baz Corden. The full programme is still being finalised and will be announced shortly.

Now in its second year, the festival is held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, just 200km from Durban and 430km from Johannesburg on tarred roads. Aside from the great music on offer, there’ll also be fun outdoor activities like abseiling, fishing, boating and hiking, as well as arts and crafts, a beer market featuring several local breweries, assorted food stalls, entertainment for the kids, and all the necessary amenities to make the festival as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Tickets are available at Computicket (R300) and the festival gate (R350). The price includes camping facilities for the entire long weekend. Children under 12 pay R50.

In addition to the general festival camping area, there’s also a caravan park where both campers and caravanners can enjoy their own electricity points, separate ablution blocks and full use of the lodge's facilities for a nominal extra fee.

For more information contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.