Swazi Gold

29 May 2015 - 02:22 By Yolisa Mkele

Swaziland is not exactly a tourist hot spot. For some reason the globetrotting public does not generally bother to visit the world's last absolute monarchy. However, that changes once a year, and almost overnight the little kingdom is awash with pasty Europeans, musicians from across the globe and the odd artistically inclined pyromaniac. That time is when the country hosts Bushfire.Held just outside the capital, Mbabane, Bushfire has become internationally renowned for having one of the most diverse musical lineups of any festival. This year is no exception. The Parlotones, ShortStraw, Freshlyground, Cassper Nyovest and BCUC lead a rather large South African delegation and will be met by representatives from as far afield as Australia and Spain.The Aussie band is unusual. Hailing from Melbourne, Black Jesus Experience are a seven-piece Ethiopian jazz band with hip-hop and funk influences."[Our name] was inspired by a dream that people would see the world differently," said vocalist Enushu Taye.Dispelling the myth that Australia is a homogeneous country of rowdy young people and rugby cheats, she said: "Melbourne has a vibrant, multicultural inner city that attracts a lot of artists and musicians, and BJX (Black Jesus Experience) was formed there from a web of long-term associations in this community."The band's multifarious look and feel make them the perfect ambassadors for Bushfire. They are far off the beaten path without trying to be. There are no counter- culture pretensions about who they are or what they play.So if you are keen on a weekend spent trying to impress no one and nothing other than your ears, then hop across the border and help start a Bushfire.Bushfire takes place this weekend. For more information visit www.bush-fire.com..

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