The Lush Festival launches in the Free State

The Lush Festival, a new music and lifestyle festival, will be held in Clarens, Free State, over the Easter weekend from 24 to 27 March, 2016.

Clarens, situated in the foothills of the Maluti and Rooiberg Mountains, is nicknamed the 'Jewel of the Free State' and the town and surrounding area is a popular weekend destination for residents of Joburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. The village offers some of the most tranquil surrounds and spectacular views known throughout South Africa.

The Lush Festival launches in the Free State

The Lush Festival, taking place on the Linwood Farm, features an incredible line-up of top musicians and electronic acts. Two international acts are confirmed to headline the festival, namely Xavier Rudd and Civil Twilight. Xavier Rudd is one of Australia's most iconic voices. A multi-instrumentalist, surfer and activist, Xavier returns to South Africa, this time with his full band, after his first tour in 2013 performing at the first Parklife Festival. Civil Twilight, originally from Cape Town and now based in Nashville, catapulted into international stardom with their single Letters From The Sky. They are once again dominating SA Radio with their single When, When taken from their brand new album 'Story of an Immigrant'.

Local acts

The first of many local acts to be announced include The Parlotones, Jeremy Loops, Francois van Coke, Goodluck, Al Bairre, Grassy Spark, Rubber Duc, Pop Art Live, Austin Cassim, Chunda Munki, Vimo, Michael Lowman, Josie Field & Laurie Levine, Majozi, Howie Combrink and Josh Wantie.

The music stages are one of kind and each one unique by sound and view. The first stage is perfectly nestled in the woods, creating a natural frame of acoustic sound by nature. The second stage, a charmingly renovated barn offering picturesque views of the farm and the third, laying upwards towards a distinctive sandstone cliffs that Clarens is so well known for, huddled between two beautiful old willow trees, beside the river.

An early-bird festival ticket, which includes general camping, is only R395 and is on sale until Monday, 8 February. There is also a special Plus Camping area at an additional cost of R600 per ticket and limited to only 350 people. The private area will allow spacious camping and is alongside a small stream with points of shade under the willow trees. It is well positioned alongside the Harambee Hotel and will be close enough to be convenient, but far enough to be more peaceful, and will have its own toilets and showers. The festival also hosts a glam camping section hosted by Harambee Hotel. Each luxury hotel style tent sleeps two with single or double bed options, lights, power points for charging phones and includes a few extra creature comforts including a restaurant catering for breakfast (included in the price).

Activities available to Lush participants will include an official trail run and fun run, a three-day mountain biking tour event, and guests can also take advantage of nature trails, abseiling, rafting, horseback riding, hiking, hot-air ballooning, and much more on offer in the area.

Tickets available from breakout.nutickets.co.za

  • Early-bird: R395 (only on sale until 8 Feb)
  • Phase 1: R495 (on sale from 9 Feb)
  • Phase 2: R595

Please note that tickets are non-transferable and T&Cs apply.

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