The four-day line-up includes Watershed frontman Craig Hinds performing songs off his brand new debut solo album, as well as Cape Town singer-songwriter Matthew Mole, who recently became the first South African artist to enter the iTunes album chart at number one, ahead of international superstars like Jay Z, The Rolling Stones, Michael Buble and Robin Thicke.
Also on the bill are American singer-songwriter Brett Newski, Joburg's Nakhane Toure and Margaret's Daughter, plus a strong showing of Cape Town artists, such as Paige Mac, Gerald Clark, Luna Paige, Stefan Dixon and Lucy Kruger. From Durban, expect the likes of The Kickstands, Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby and Nick Pitman, Shomon and The Incidentals, among others.
Other acts to watch out for are acoustic guitarist Steve Newman collaborating with percussionist Ashish Joshi, as well as Radio Kalahari Orkes, the hugely popular "boere folk" outfit fronted by actor, playwright and musician Ian Roberts, who's probably best known for his role as Boet in the iconic Ja Swaer TV advertisements for Castrol motor oil. They promise irreverent, toe-tapping music that smells, tastes and sounds like the veld and is thick with the kick of mampoer.
With its spacious grounds, fishable dam, swimming pool, playground, convenience store, restaurant and charming old pub (with satellite TV and late-night live music), White Mountain Lodge's many amenities add another dimension to the usual festival experience.
There are also loads of fun activities for the whole family, colourful arts and crafts, assorted food outlets, a beer market featuring several local breweries, plus a new tipi village - all set against a backdrop of the scenic central Drakensberg.
Advance tickets cost R600 at Computicket, which includes four nights' camping in a beautiful site overlooking the dam. Children aged four to 11 pay R125 and children under four get in free. Gates open at 7am on Friday, 20 September. No under-18s permitted without parental supervision. For more information and the full programme, go to www.c-weed.com/wmf or contact +27 (0)31 563 0824.
