The Parlotones annual Valentine’s concert at D’Aria has become a favourite with fans over the last couple of years. This year, the band will be back at the wine estate, treating fans to a picnic concert on Sunday 12 February 2012.

The band has been working on material for a new album, expected for release later this year in April. Maybe you’ll get to hear one or two new songs, along with classic Parlotones tracks like ‘Giant Mistake’, ‘I’ll Be There’, ‘Colourful, ‘Push Me To The Floor’, ‘Should We Fight Back’ and more.

Tickets for the D’Aria picnic concert are available from WebTickets for R175 each. For kids under 12 years old, the cost is R60 each. Gates open at 12h30 for the picnic and the concert starts at 18h00. It’s advisable to get there early if you’d like a spot near the front.

You’re welcome to bring along a picnic basket to the concert (just note that you can’t bring your own alcohol) and there’ll be plenty of wine and food on sale at the venue as well. You’ll find D’Aria Wine Estate on the M13 (Racecourse Road) in Durbanville.

The annual 94.5 Kfm K-Day music festival is heading our way on Saturday 31 March 2011. This year, the popular event will once again be held at the Val De Vie Wine and Polo Estate in Paarl. Six acts have already been confirmed for K-Day 2012 and these include Prime Circle, Locnville, Flash Republic, GoodLuck, The Arrows and Danny K. Expect more big names to be announced in the build-up to the big day.

[Update: 2010 Idols winner Elvis Blue has been added to the line-up.]

See Prime Circle live at Kfm K-Day 2012

K-Day is building up a reputation as one of Cape Town’s favourite music events. The focus is on showcasing some of the best in South African music in a family friendly environment. As always, the event is brought to you by 94.5 Kfm and Santam.

GoodLuck will be live in action at Kfm K-Day 2012

Tickets will be on sale from Computicket and the prices are R160 for adults and R80 for kids aged between 3 and 12 years old. Gates open at 09h00 and the music kicks off at 11h00. I’d advise getting there as early as possible to avoid issues with traffic. The Val de Vie Estate is located on the R301/Jan van Riebeeck Drive in Paarl.

You’re welcome to bring along food and picnic baskets but alcohol and braais are prohibited. There will of course be refreshments and food on sale at the venue.

Which other bands and artists are you hoping to see at this year’s concert? Post a comment below and share your thoughts.

K-Day 2012 is set to be bigger and better than ever. Enjoy!

Another season of Idols is on the way and auditions kick off soon. Cape Town auditions will take place at the GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World on Saturday 18 February 2012. If you think you’ve got what it takes to impress Gareth, Unathi and Randall, then start fine-tuning those pipes and choose a song which will blow them away.

Auditions are open to South African citizens aged 16 to 30 years old. If you’re younger than 18 years old, then you need a parent or guardian to accompany you to the auditions. Remember to bring your ID document to registration, which takes place on the day of the audition.

Idols auditions for the rest of South Africa take place on:

• Saturday 4 February 2012: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
• Saturday 11 February 2012: Ushaka Marine World, Durban
• Saturday 25 February 2012: Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown, Soweto

Musical instruments will once again be allowed at the auditions. Good luck!

Comedian Stuart Taylor is bringing his hilarious Money’s Too Tight To Mention show back to the Baxter Theatre later this month. I’ve seen the show and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some good quality humour. It’s on from 18 January to 4 February 2012.

Money’s Too Tight To Mention sees Stuart once again teaming up with director Heinrich Reisenhofer. The show sees Stuart taking on the current financial crisis in a light-hearted way, with some really funny personal stories, observations and tips which cover everything from bonds, cars and education, to travel, credit cards and even naked sushi!

Tickets are available from Computicket and prices range from R85 to R100, with discounts available for students and senior citizens. The duration of the show is 70 minutes and note that it has a 16 age restriction.

If you’re feeling the pinch financially or you’re just looking for a good laugh, then check out Money’s Too Tight To Mention. It’s Stuart Taylor at his best. Enjoy!

Music festival fans don’t have to wait long in the new year for the first big events. While dance/electronica fans can look forward to the Gatecrasher Summer Festival, rock fans can get ready for the annual Up The Creek music festival. The festival takes place from 2 to 5 February 2012 on the banks of the Breede River, just outside Swellendam.

As usual, festival-goers can look forward to a cracking line-up of musical talents which includes big names like aKing, Albert Frost with the Blues Broers, Dan Patlansky, Karen Zoid, Kongos, Sterling EQ and Taxi Violence. Other confirmed acts include an AC/DC Tribute Band, Akkedis, Andra, Black Cat Bones, Cameron Bruce, City Bowl Mizers, Fox Comet, Great Apes, Holiday Murray, Hot Water, Jeremy Loops, Louwtjie Rothman, Luna Paige and Gerald Clark, Luna Paige and Schalk Joubert, Machineri, No One’s Arc, Peachy Keen, Piet Botha, Shadowclub, Southern Gypsey Queen and Wrestlerish.

The music will take place on three stages – the main stage, the MK river stage and BOS Breede River bar stage. Like last year, the festival will open one day earlier on the Thursday for a special preview show but note that numbers are limited for the evening. South African rooibos tea company BOS will also be back this year with their ice teas and cocktails, as well as the BOS ‘Pimp Your Lilo’ competition. Expect to see everything from lobster lilos and Indian canoes, to floating bars and human tube chains.

The 2012 Up The Creek music festival will include loads of food vendors, stalls and bars, as well as coffee maestros who can deliver to your tent, a kiddies area with committed staff to look after the little ones and also dedicated life-guards at the river.

Tickets are available from www.TicketBreak.co.za and it’s worth noting that’s cheaper to buy your tickets in advance, rather than at the gates. Online prices range from R150 to R575.

The Up The Creek campsite is situated on the banks of the Breede River, about 15km from the N2 with the turnoff approximately 8km before Swellendam. The beautiful setting coupled with the awesome music makes this event a must for SA music fans.