CAPE TOWN, South Africa (VIP-NEWS) — South Africa`s leading festival promoters and European investors launch a live music & entertainment company.
The founders of Pukkelpop, Boondoggle, SHO-SHO Communications and Hilltop Live have joined forces and created a new company, Matchbox Live.
Matchbox Live is a Southern African Entertainment Company with social responsibility at its core. It is a commercial business that will use music and arts to drive social change.
This entertainment venture aims to grow the South African live music industry by producing unique events and festivals with potential for international growth.
“It’s an exciting time in our vibrant country and continent. The combination of existing events, strong experience and foreign investment is a powerful combination,” says Theresho Selesho, CEO of Matchbox (Pty) Ltd.
The Belgian founders of Boondoggle, Pieter Goiris and Werner Camps, relocated to South Africa last year to open the SA Havas Boondoggle office. As entrepreneurs, they will be adding their experience in a country they have grown passionate about. There has also been a long history of collaboration between Pukkelpop and OppiKoppi. In previous years, exchange programs that develop young artists and crew members were facilitated by both festivals, as well as supported by the respective countries’ Arts and Culture institutions.
The first project to roll out is OppiKoppi 2017. Other existing properties include DRUMBeat Music Festival and Lekkerland, with new events to be announced at a later stage.
“The family behind OppiKoppi dropped into the live music business by accident in 1994. That is more than 23 years of gung-ho, Rock ’n Roll management. Along the way conversations with international counterparts started and have lead to the stage where we can bring in strategic partners. We have built a team that can carry the flame forward, which is great news for music fans,” says Carel Hoffman, Owner & Director of Hilltop Live.
