Heatwave of vibes to rock PE beachfront
Thulani Gqirana
THOUSANDS of Eastern Cape party animals will gather at Port Elizabeth's Hobie Beach from noon tomorrow when 21 national and local DJs and artists descend on the city for the hugely popular Metro FM Heatwave.
Well-known artists, including Uhuru, best known for the hit single Y-tjukutja, Heavy K of Beautiful War fame, Mafikizolo, Glen Lewis, Lulo Cafe, Dr Malinga and L'vovo, will be performing and playing their latest songs.
There will be more than 12 hours of Metro FM DJ appearances, artist performances, live broadcasts and dance, for the purpose of promoting the station's broadcasting activities, as well as entertaining audiences.
Port Elizabeth-based 360 Degrees View Media, who are organising the event alongside Metro FM, said they were hoping to attract 7000 Eastern Cape fans to the party.
Organiser Purari Gotyana said nearly 2000 tickets had been sold so far.
"We are looking at selling 7000 tickets and people can still buy tickets at Gio next to KFC in Summerstrand on the day of the event."
The Metro FM Heatwave was supposed to be on December 16 last year but was postponed after the death of former president Nelson Mandela.
Gotyana said the response had been positive all over the Eastern Cape.
"We had some activations outside in places like East London.
"The response has been very good, especially through sales in East London and King William's Town.
"In fact most of the pre-sold tickets have been bought by people from outside PE."
The Heatwave is a movement that was started by the station in 2005, and was then known as the Metro FM Summer tour, which slowly evolved to become the Metro FM Heatwave.
It was last held in Port Elizabeth in 2012.
Metro FM spokeswoman Happy Ngidi said Port Elizabeth was one of the cities in which the station wanted to celebrate.
"Our mandate and responsibility is to take our shows to where the people are and not only focus on other regions.
"In fact, the station is using this activation to kick-off our roadshow for the 13th Metro FM Music Awards."
She said the response from Port Elizabeth fans since the announcement of the new date had been excellent.
"PE is most definitely looking forward to our arrival."
Ngidi said fans had a lot to look forward to tomorrow.
"They can expect the best of Metro FM's DJs, and the best of what local musicians have to offer."
Tickets for the show, which are available at Computicket, are R150. VIP tickets cost R600 and include free alcohol and food.
Schedule:
DJ Pro: 12pm – 12.30pm [local]
DJ Chrisbeats: 12.30pm – 1pm [local]
DJ Superman: 1pm – 1.30pm [local]
DJ Mlu: 1.30pm – 2.15pm
DJ Sue: 2.15pm – 3pm
Ismail Abrahams: 3pm – 3.45pm
Berita: 3.55pm – 4.40pm
Glen Lewis: 4.45pm – 5.30pm
Naima K: 5.35pm – 6.10pm
Unathi Msengana: 6.20pm – 7.05pm
Dr Malinga: 7.15pm – 8pm
DJ Mthi: 8pm – 8.30pm [local]
Phakes: 8.30pm – 9pm [local]
T-Deep: 9pm – 9.45pm
Lulo Cafe: 9.45pm – 10.30pm
Mafikizolo: 10.40pm – 11.25pm
Zakes Bantwini: 11.30pm – 12.15am
Lvovo: 12.25am – 1.10am
Uhuru: 1.20am – 2.05am
Heavy K: 2.10am – 2.55am
DJ Sbu: 3am – 3.45am
