The Goldies Festival, which was held for the first in Palapye on New Year’s Eve 2016 is set to return for the second instalment later this year. The festival is a premium live music event targeting the adult market. The target market is the middle to upper class segment that patronizes events such as Mascom Live Sessions, Hamptons Jazz festival and international events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival.
“This market segment has been starved of this brand of quality live entertainment especially at this time (December) of the year,” says organizer Tomeletso Sereetsi. “Most shows during this festive period target the youth bracket and feature DJs and backtrack artists. This has resulted in the adult contemporary market going underserved,” he says. Scheduled for Palapye’s upmarket venue, Cresta Botsalo Hotel, Sereetsi says the event promises a priceless experience to bid farewell to 2017 and usher in 2018 in grand style. “Its immediate catchment area is the professional hailing from the central region ÔÇô Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye and Tswapong.”
He says the inaugural festival reach extends to Gaborone, Maun and Francistown. “The fest will also be a magnet for festive travelers from across the country with discerning taste for the best in the world of music. The festival’s ambitious five year plan is to be the go-to New Year’s Eve spot in the Southern Africa region.” He says the festival aims to grow its international appeal by featuring artists from all over the world. From the well-known to the promising musician who has achieved national success and wish to extend their reach to international markets. This year the festival is headlined by Oliver Mtukudzi, Sereetsi & the Natives, Lister Boleseng and James Sakala (Zambia) ,and Duma FM Djs who will play golden oldies, 70s and 80s disco and funk, jazz and world music. He says the festival continues to pursue a number of partnerships with various service providers.
“Already the festival has signed notable partnership contracts with Cresta Group of Companies .The hotel group will host the festival for the second year running. It will also offer customized accommodation packages to performers and revelers at highly discounted prices at its strategically located Cresta Botsalo Hotel”. Sereetsi says broadcaster Duma FM has also come on board as an important partner of the festival this year. “The station will run commercials ahead of the festival. It will also host featured artists, partners and organizers for interviews promoting the festival to the wider public. It will also feature promotional slots such as on-air quizzes and ticket giveaways to listeners.” He says another growth indicator this year is the partnership with sound, staging and lighting firm, Double IP. “The company will offer the patrons at Goldies this year a great and unforgettable experience through their offering of quality staging, sound and lighting equipment and expertise.” The event is organized by ‘In The Loop’, a citizen owned company that manages the band, Sereetsi & the Natives.
