Friday 8 April 2022, Malkerns – The Epic Gig Episode III 2022 today held an official launch event at Malkerns Country Club. In attendance were the events lead sponsors* and members of Eswatini’s entertainment industry, business community and NGO’s. The Epic Gig will take place on 25 June at Malkerns Country Club. Tammy Dlamini Event Director gave a speech at the event thanking all those who attended and also gave details about this year’s event, “We are excited to have brought on new sponsors this year. We thank each and every one of them for coming on board to make this year’s Epic Gig 2022 a success.
Our sponsors so far include Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Eswatini National Youth Council, Red Bull, Gems, Movie Zone, Galito’s, Destiny Group and Keisha; Buhle Bentfombi. We are looking to sign up more sponsors to deliver the biggest show ever to our fans. We also had the pleasure of announcing our Phase one artist line up this evening. This year’s artist lineup is set to be the biggest yet, bringing not only an impressive list of local artists but also a number of artists from beyond our borders.” Though new artists to perform will be announced in stages as The Epic Gig Episode III approaches, the line up currently includes Demthuda, Blxckie, Kwesta, Blaq Diamond, Tempo, TLT, Mr Jazziq, Sar Nilo, Bay Bash, Costa Titch, Aya City, Davez Mirror and Andile Mpisane. Some big names who have performed in the past include Nadia Nakai, Kwesta, Mlindo The Vocalist and Buffalo Soulja.
This year’s lineup promises to be the biggest yet. Dlamini continues, “We have also launched something called The Freshman Stage. With the launch of the Freshman stage this year, we have created an opportunity for new artists in Eswatini to display the talent that they have. This stage is specifically for artists who have come onto the music scene in the last 4 years but have had limited chances to showcase what they have to offer as a result of recent reduced activity in the entertainment industry due to various factors such as COVID-19.” The launch of the Freshman stage means there will this year be two stages at the event.
The main stage will remain outdoors while the Freshman stage will be situated indoors to create a space where both stages can be appreciated by festival goers at different times throughout the evening. General access tickets will cost E300, VIP will cost E500 and VVIP E10 000 for a table of 5. Also to note about this year’s event is the reintroduction of The Epic Arts and Culture Festival. This event will happen on 24 June 2022, a day before the main event on 25 June. Entry is free for The Epic Arts and Culture Festival. Dlamini continues, “The aim of us running The Epic Arts and Culture Festival is to stir a passion for the industry in young people. When talent is nurtured from a young age, it is well established by the time it is ready to be shared with the world.
On the day, we will give kids from various schools an opportunity to perform a piece they have prepared for the other children present. We are basically adding to their school programme on that day by giving them an opportunity to learn through play. We would like to give these kids a platform to show what they’ve got and give their all towards developing their skills. In addition to hosting The Epic Arts and Culture Festival, we have chosen four schools to be beneficiaries of The Epic Gig Episode III. These schools will receive musical equipment, art supplies and other materials which will help them set up a functioning arts department within their schools.” “During The Epic Arts and Culture Festival, we will also be running Asikutulisane, a workshop for artists and anyone involved in the music industry in some shape or form.
This workshop is aimed at growing their skills and acumen on issues relating to this industry and how they can develop themselves. All these initiatives are our way of giving back to our communities and making sure we develop our industry through skills and opportunities,” Dlamini reiterates. The Epic Gig Episode III ticket prices will be E300 for general access, E500 for VIP and E10 000 for a table of 5 in the VVIP section. The VVIP section will offer guests 2 bottles of either gin, whiskey or brandy, mixers and a platter for five. Those who choose this option will get to enjoy access to an opulent lounge experience at the event allowing them to enjoy their refreshments while watching the show on the main stage.
The VIP guests will have access to a demarcated area with its own bar and seating. Tickets are available online at Computicket, Galito’s, Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn nationwide.” Dlamini concludes “Our fans can follow us on our social media handles; @theepicgigsd on Instagram and The Epic Gig on Facebook. Leading up to the show, you can catch us at different spots around the country including The Epic Gig pop ups, lifestyle locations or at selected events. Not only will merchandise be on sale at these events, you will get to have a taste of The Epic Gig lifestyle and what we will have in store for you on the day of the festival.”
