Park Acoustics is one-day music festival that’s hosted monthly in South Africa’s Capital City, Pretoria. This festival has been brightening up the lives of the music-loving people of Gauteng since 2010.
Park Acoustics was held at the National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria in 2010 and for the first months of 2011. The festival moved the Voortrekker Monument Nature Reserve in March 2011 and has been held inside Fort Schanskop and at the areas around the Voortrekker Monument’s amphitheater.
Fort Schanskop was completed and handed over the government in 1897. There was never a shot fired at the Fort (which was manned by 17 troops during the Second Anglo Boer War). By the 5th of June 1900 (the day that British troops occupied Pretoria) there were no more troops stationed at the fort. Today Fort Schanskop is a Gauteng Provincial Heritage site. The acoustics of the fort are perfect for live music.
Park Acoustics has featured magnificent performances by some of the best artists
This is includes artists that Pretoria (and South Africa) has to offer. It’s also featured it’s fair share of International acts. The long list of South African artists who have played at Park Acoustics includes Fokofpolisiekar, Francois Van Coke, Shortstraw, Jeremy Loops, Koos Kombuis, Springbok Nude Girls, Jack Parow, Anton Goosen, Hellcats, Satanic Dagga Orgy, Karen Zoid, Boo! and various others.
The list of international artists who have played at Park Acoustics includes KONGOS, Dune Rats, St. Lucia, Brett Newski, Vuvuvultures and a whole bunch of others.
Park Acoustics usually happens on the first or last weekend of the month. No festival is held in December (when Pretoria is usually a ghost town). An Electro edition was added in 2018 called Park Electric.
If you have not been to a Park Acoustics, you have not lived. It’s definitely a one-day festival that you should experience at least once before you kick the bucket. For info about their next event, check out their official Website.