The information to Botswana’s Vulture Thrust Steel Fest

A giant pageant is a superb cause to plan a visit – however should you’re on the lookout for an off-the-beaten path expertise, you are going to want a information. Right here, author Jamie Fullerton explains why Bostwana’s heavy steel pageant is price touring for and how one can make it occur.

Botswana’s heavy steel scene is one in all Africa’s most enjoyable and welcoming music subcultures and it is discovering a brand new dwelling in October 2022 for the return of Vulture Thrust Metal Fest.

Providing high-octane rock with a vibrantly inclusive perspective, the occasion will happen within the village of Rakops in central Botswana. It guarantees a singular technique to discover the African nation, whether or not you’re keen on steel or not.

In addition to a spot to rock out in famously pleasant Botswana, the small pageant is a base for guests exploring the encircling sport reserves and occurring heavy steel safaris of kinds.

Here is every part it is advisable know in regards to the bash.

What’s Vulture Thrust Steel Fest?

Vulture Thrust Steel Fest marks the return of heavy rock festivals to Botswana after two years of COVID-19 shutdowns.

Rakops will briefly turn into the middle of Botswana’s steel subculture, with bands and followers organising camp within the village on October 28-29. With the occasion happening close to the vacationer city Maun, organizers hope to draw extra foreigners than earlier native rock festivals have. 500-600 followers in complete are anticipated.

2022 marks the third incarnation of Vulture Thrust however shall be its first occurring ‘IRL.’ It was set to launch in Rakops in 2020 however went on-line (and once more in 2021) on account of pandemic restrictions.

Vulture Thrust is organized by the staff behind Ghanzi’s Winter Steel Mania Fest, together with Tshomarelo’ Vulture’ Mosaka. He is a founding member of the band Overthrust, who will play on the Rakops bash.

The top things to do in Botswana, from elephant encounters to drifting on the Okavango Delta

Scorching leather-based: Botswana’s steel scene

Vulture cites Nosey Highway, who gained traction by way of the Nineteen Seventies, as Botswana’s pioneering heavy steel band.

Curiosity in heavy rock grew within the nation, in accordance with Vulture, helped by foreigners bringing in information, particularly in Maun, the place a number of expats had been based mostly. Momentum constructed within the Nineteen Nineties when Nosey Highway established a music pageant, and different Botswana bands, reminiscent of Steel Orizon, emerged.

Enamored with this music, in 2008, Vulture, who grew up in Rakops, shaped Overthrust to play “old style steel.” Quickly after, Vulture organized the primary Winter Steel Mania Fest in Ghanzi. Fifty folks confirmed up.

“We had been enjoying excessive music, and other people did not perceive it,” mentioned Vulture. “Some folks criticized us, considering we had been enjoying ‘satan music.’ However we did not hand over.”

Overthrust has written songs about darkish topics related to Botswana, reminiscent of corrupt clerics and perception in ghosts. Through the years, extra followers hurdled the simplistic notion that addressing darkish topics made you immoral, realizing that this was not, in actual fact, ‘ satan music.’ “We’re making an attempt to convey these topics to life by way of leisure,” Vulture mentioned.

By the mid-2010s, a small, vibrant Botswana steel subculture had galvanized, with native festivals as their heart factors. Steel’s international uniform — black garments, tattoos, band t-shirt — supplied a picture template, however native twists had been added. Cowboy hats turned widespread among the many bands: tricks to Botswana’s cattle farming tradition slightly than US affect.

Vulture: “We made a subculture not solely by way of music however by way of id. If you happen to see somebody in Botswana sporting a steel t-shirt, you instantly join. There is not any distinction between a band member and a pal.”

The scene’s protection within the foreign-style press led to some fearing that outsiders view it as overly enamored with US tradition. That is regardless of Botswana’s steel bands usually writing music with rhythms very totally different from conventional US-style steel acts and utilizing African devices.

Nonetheless, Vulture welcomes international consideration. Like different Botswana metalheads, he works a day job to fund his music and sees all protection of the bands and festivals as an important enhance in an atmosphere fuelled by ardour.

“By attending these exhibits, they [Botswana metal bands] can work together with musicians from different nations,” he mentioned. “They get interviews and publicity. These exhibits make them need to hold going.”

See the best of Botswana on these standout road trips

Who’s on the pageant line-up?

Heavy steel logically dominates the invoice of the pageant’s principal stage, with bands enjoying on it from 8pm on the Friday and 2pm on the Saturday, rocking by way of to 4am on each nights.

Overthrust will play, plus fellow Botswana bands, together with Stane, Remuda, Humanitarian, PMMA, Alive N Bolder and Bankrupt Souls, the latter that includes members of Steel Orizon. PMMA, mentioned Vulture, is “brutal – they play like Judas Priest.”

He additionally highlighted Alive N Bolder, saying: “They’re older gents, however they get loopy on stage. It is a good feeling to see an older particular person enjoying rock ‘n’ roll the best way they do.”

The pageant cannot afford large worldwide acts, however some bands from past Africa have been eager to get entangled. Swiss black steel band Gravpel is scheduled to play, with acts from Germany additionally anticipated.

Earlier than the principle stage bands gear up, DJs and different musicians will play on the location from the Wednesday. They are going to showcase different genres, together with jazz, home and Kwaito music, which originated in South Africa.

How do I get Vulture Thrust tickets?

Tickets to the pageant price 100 pula ($8) or 120 pula ($9), together with tenting. A VIP ticket, which features a t-shirt, prices 350 pula ($27). You may request to e-book advance tickets by way of the Vulture Thrust Facebook page. Barely higher-priced tickets shall be obtainable on the gate.

Exploring Botswana on a budget is possible – here’s how to do it

When ought to I get to the pageant?

Foremost stage bands start at 8pm on Friday October 28, leaving loads of time to journey to Rakops that day. The primary stage motion begins once more at 2pm on the Saturday, closing at 4am Sunday. From Wednesday, in addition to music on smaller levels, there will be actions and meals stalls on the location.

A great trigger, a enjoyable march

Heavy steel festivals in Botswana have a historical past of elevating cash for good causes. Vulture determined to launch his first pageant after seeing homeless youngsters in Ghanzi. “I noticed destitute youngsters roaming the road,” he mentioned. “I used to be informed that some did not have or go to highschool. I mentioned we must always do one thing about it.”

The ensuing Winter Steel Mania Fest raised cash for kids’s assist organizations. 2022’s Vulture Thrust Steel Fest will elevate funds for folks residing with disabilities.

At 10am on the Saturday of the pageant, bands and followers will march from Rakops Major Hospital. This procession of honking vehicles, huge motorbikes, plus metalheads on horse and foot will end with a cash donation ceremony.

Be a part of the heavy steel safari

You will not spot rock beasts like Mastadon or Scorpions at Vulture Thrust, however you may see an elephant close by.

Competition-goers can be part of animal-spotting journeys in automobiles on the Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday of the pageant week, visiting Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Orapa Recreation Park. You will doubtlessly see elephants, lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.

Competition organizers will e-book these journeys for followers and band members. Message the occasion’s Fb web page for info.

Competition meals

Foods and drinks, together with vegetarian meals, shall be obtainable on the pageant web site. Meals ought to price round 40-60 pula ($3-5).

Organizers are bringing a correct espresso machine from Maun to the pageant as a result of, mentioned Vulture, “vacationers like espresso an excessive amount of.” Among the many alcohol sellers shall be Okavango Craft Brewery, which runs a microbrewery in Maun.

For the ultra-hungry, a aggressive consuming competitors will happen on the pageant web site involving followers gobbling native meals and fizzy pop. Maybe not the very best precursor for mosh-pit flailing.

6 of the best places to visit in Botswana

What to convey

Take into account leaving cumbersome baggage and valuables in safe Maun resort storage, particularly should you’re tenting on the pageant, so you possibly can take what you want for the occasion. Rakops is a small village so pack luxuries, harder-to-buy facilities, and money earlier than you go.

Whereas the temptation to put on leather-based shall be nice, temperatures can attain 93 levels Fahrenheit in Rakops in October. Carry a hat, solar slap and bug spray.

The music shall be ear-splittingly loud, so convey ear safety to keep away from injury. ACS skilled earplugs are definitely worth the expense, however any earplug safety is best than none.

The place ought to I keep?

You may convey a tent and camp at Rakops’ Matsaodi campsite, by the pageant web site. Occasion tickets, together with tenting, price 120 pula ($9) prematurely and will be booked through the Vulture Thrust Facebook page. Alternatively, you should buy tickets, together with campsite entry on-site.

Competition tenting runs from the Wednesday, October 26 to Sunday, October 30, however should you keep simply the Friday and Saturday nights, you may catch the core occasion.

There are a number of small motels inside a few kilometers of the occasion, reminiscent of Xere Lodge and Rakops River Lodge. The pageant staff has booked some resort rooms for followers, which will be reserved through the festival’s Facebook page. Rooms price round 600 pula ($47) per evening.

How to get around in Botswana, from 4WD safaris to canoe tours

How one can get to Vulture Thrust Steel Fest

The occasion takes place by Matsaodi campsite in Rakops. The village is a 210-kilometer, two-hour drive southeast of Maun: the north Botswana city widespread with vacationers on account of its safari and airport entry.

You may rent a automotive in Maun and drive your self, or get a bus from Maun Bus Station. Ask drivers if their bus stops at Rakops — tickets should not price rather more than 70 pula ($5).

Alternatively, take the unofficial Metalhead Categorical. “We’re anticipating an enormous variety of metalheads touring with their very own automobiles from Maun to Rakops,” mentioned Vulture. “They put on leather-based pants; you can establish them. They’re very pleasant; you possibly can say, ‘Can I’ve a journey?'”

How one can rock out if you cannot make this pageant

If you cannot get to Vulture Thrust in October 2022, do not fret. Sister occasion Winter Steel Mania Fest is anticipated to return in Might 2023 in Ghanzi, and count on Vulture Thrust to return in late 2023.