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2017 was a fun-filled year. I had the privilege to attend many great gigs and festival over the last year 12 months and I’ve taken tons of photos to document it (like I’ve intensely done since 2011).

Here are My 14 Favourite Photos of 2017

Francois Van Coke @ Park Acoustics: On the 5th of February I made my way to the first Park Acoustics of 2017. It was a fun-filled day and I thoroughly enjoyed Francois Van Coke’s set. I also felt extra special because he dedicated a song to me for my 40th birthday. I snapped this close-up photo of Francois before the Jagermeister kicked in.

Alice Phoebe Lou @ Park Acoustics: In March 2017 I made my way to Park Acoustics to watch Alice Phoebe Lou (who has been making waves in the SA Music scene over the last few years and recently got one of her songs shortlisted for an Academy Award). This little lady mesmerized me with her magical voice and I just had to snap a decent photo of her doing her thing on stage. I think I did an okay job.

Gary Peacock @ Mieliepop Festival: I was at this festival for the 6th time this year and I enjoyed myself to the max. During the course of the weekend The Lectric Monks played a set on the Willow Tree stage and I snapped this close up pic of their local vocalist, Gary Peacock.

Mieliepop Sunset During the course of that glorious weekend in March we were enjoying a braai before checking out Hellcats and something amazing caught my eye. It was probably the most beautiful sunset that I’ve experienced at a music festival and just had to capture it.

Jaco Van Der Merwe @ Park Acoustics: On the 2nd of April I made my way to another edition of Park Acoustics. One of the highlights of that particular event was Jaco Van Der Merwe’s acoustic set that included a poetry reading session. I snapped this photo of the Bittereinder rapper during his set.

Jethro Lock @ That 70’s Fest At the end of April in 2017, Nino and I made our way to the Tweefontein Melkery to enjoy the first edition of That 70’s Fest and it was one hell of a jol. The highlight of the day was definitely the energetic and rocking set by The Tazers (who are going to release a full album next year). I snapped this photo of the lead vocalist Jethro Lock and it’s definitely one of my favourite photos of 2017.

Kobus De Kock Jr @ Park Acoustics: The Black Cat Bones played a set at Park Acoustics in May 2017 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The band paid tribute to Chris Cornell during their set and warmed the crowd up nicely. I snapped this close-up shot of Kobus De Kock Jr (the lead vocalist of the band).

Desmond & The Tutus @ Aandklas: On the 27th of May I made my way to Aandklas in Hatfield to enjoy some lekker tunes and it turned out to be a lekker night out. I snapped this photo of the band interacting with the crowd after Rudi from Aandklas urged me to get on the stage and do it. I’m glad he did.

Fokofpolisiekar @ Weiveld: On the 8th of July Fokofpolisiekar and Jack Parow played at Weiveld in Pretoria and the show attracted a crowd of about 4000 people. The sound and lighting was legit and I snapped this photo of the crowd from the top VIP section at the venue to give everyone an idea of how I experienced it.

Warwick Rautenbach @ Arcade Empire: In September Jo and I went to Arcade Empire to watch Hellcats and Springbok Nude Girls. Warwick Rautenbach interacted with the crowd (like he usually does) and I snapped this photo of him while he was in his element.

Jack Parow @ Woodcock 12: In late September I traveled to Nelspruit in Mpumalanga to catch Conrad Jamneck’s birthday party (aka Woodcrock) at the Blue Moon. It was the first time I made my way to this venue and I was pleasantly surprised how awesome it is and sad because it’s not an active running venue anymore. I snapped this photo of Jack Parow during his set.

Oppikoppi 2017 Scene: In October 2017 I made my way to my 19th Oppikoppi and on the last day I made my way up that bloody hill for the 2nd time and then I saw this unraveling in front of me. I just had to take a picture of it.

Chris Chameleon @ African Beer Emporium On the 14th of October I made my way to the Tings an’ Times party at African Beer Emporium (a new venue at 012 Central in Pretoria) and drank way too much tequila and Jagermeister. I did manage to stay upright and snapped this photo of Chris Chameleon (who was playing a set for SA rock legends Boo!).

Dryden Mitchell @ Arcade Empire Halloween: American Rock act Alien Ant Farm toured South Africa in October 2017 and played at the Arcade Empire Halloween Party (at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria). I was one of the privileged photographers who was allowed to snap pictures of them and this one is definitely my favorite.

I’d like to thank all of the organisers involved in the SA Music Scene for the opportunity to cover shows and to take photos of my favorite bands. I’m looking forward to capturing more memories in 2018.

Watch this space for regular updates in the Photography category on Running Wolf’s Rant.