Boutique vibe is the great attraction at Stellenbosch's Littlegig festival

01 November 2017 - 11:06 By Sandiso Ngubane
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Littlegig is not about big headline acts, but rather focuses on a relevant, diverse collection of musicians and DJs.
Littlegig is not about big headline acts, but rather focuses on a relevant, diverse collection of musicians and DJs.
Image: Supplied

If you've ever been to a large-scale music festival outside of an urban area, you'll know that dust, no sleep for days at a time and using ghastly ablution facilities are what you're in for. Not at Littlegig.

Aside from the music, Littlegig offers revellers a lifestyle showcase that includes design, art, food and wine.

Many guests enjoy that Littlegig is a small, boutique festival.
Many guests enjoy that Littlegig is a small, boutique festival.
Image: Supplied

The line-up for the 2018 edition of the Stellenbosch festival includes Bongeziwe Mabandla, Samthing Soweto, Nonku Phiri, Johnny Cradle, Stash Crew & Umlilo and Black Motion and DJs like Kenzhero and Kid Fonque.

"We have six camping and glamping offerings," says organiser Georgia Black. "We've added two additional foodie experiences - the Chef's Table Dinner by the headline chef. For 2018, that will be Arno Janse van Rensberg, [who was the chef at Top 10 restaurant The Kitchen at Maison in Franschhoek, and is now opening his own restaurant on Kloof Street in Cape Town, Janse & Co, in December]. We also have a paired food and wine tasting, featuring six top female chefs and winemakers."

Littlegig is not about big headline acts, but rather focuses on a relevant, diverse collection of musicians and DJs.

"Our music manager Jess White lives in Mozambique and has an incredible knowledge of bands and DJs from Africa and the diaspora. Luckily, people who come to Littlegig have come to trust us. They are, for the most part, not coming for a single act, but for the whole textured experience."

Catering for an evidently discerning audience, one has to wonder what will become of Littlegig as it grows in popularity. This is an issue of which Black is well aware.

"Many festivals start out as alternative spaces which attract a loyal following, and then become a numbers game. This is mostly to do with the high costs of putting on a festival. In order to break even, and then make money, it becomes necessary to increase the number of people and take on sponsors, who have their own requirements and agendas.

"Littlegig has made the decision to only accept product sponsorships - in other words, no headline or cash sponsors. That way we can maintain our independence.

Revellers at the Littlegig festival in Stellenbosch in 2017.
Revellers at the Littlegig festival in Stellenbosch in 2017.
Image: Jonx Pillemer

"From a practical point of view there's just no way we can dramatically increase our numbers. The tickets aren't cheap, and we can't afford to drop the ball on the production front and have, for example, queues at loos or bars.

"Littlegig is in essence a small, boutique festival. Many guests give feedback that that's what they like most about it. Making it huge would be the kiss of death."

FESTIVAL DETAILS

Date: February 17-18 2018

Venue: Wiesenhof farm, Stellenbosch.

Cost: Festival tickets: R2,300. Basic camping tents from R1,450. Glamping tents range from R2,950 to R6,450 per tent. Littlegig ticket prices include all food and drinks.

Paired food & wine tasting: R150 per ticket.

Chef's table: R750 per ticket.

To book: Tickets at Quicket.

Note: No under 21s allowed.

This article was originally published in The Times

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now