Rock the South will be back for the fifth time next weekend in a three-day alternative music festival from 15 to 17 April at Zion Bar in Marsascala. The event promises two stages packed with live acts - both local and foreign - as well as a much-anticipated silent disco event.
The Malta Independent on Sunday caught up with one of the foreign bands, Sdang, and spoke to them briefly about their music and the event itself. Sdang is a progressive duo from Brescia (Italy) that, in their words, mixes "a progressive rock idea, blended with grunge, pop rock and a metal sound".
When asked why they stayed with a duo format, rather than the more conventional four or five-piece band that the style usually dictates, Alessandro 'Petrol' Pedretti, the drummer, countered by replying that "the practicality is fundamental, as well as the simplicity. We are fine as a duo, why change it?" He also described their music as "fresh and enjoyable to play".
This will not be Sdang's first time in Malta. They participated in the Malta Street Art Festival, where they performed their first EP entitled Il Giorno delve Altalene and were noticed by Nick Morales, the organiser of Rock the South, who invited them to join in. As Alessandro said: "We're very happy to be a part of it."
TMIS was told that, this year, Sdang will be performing songs from their new album - which will be out on 2 May - for the first time. However, it was quite apparent that these two music-lovers are not just coming to Malta to promote themselves. In fact, Alessandro excitedly remarked: "This festival will allow us to discover new groups, which is wonderful!"
TMIS asked what the festival audience could expect from the band and whether there is anything that they would like the Maltese public to bear in mind before they perform.
Obviously thinking of the musical stigma that sometimes surrounds progressive music, Alessandro said that, while "hoping not to sound conceited", all their efforts would be directed to preparing and performing a great, live set, that he hoped would "convey our enthusiasm to the people".
When it comes to what people needed to keep in mind when they're in the audience, TMI was told that "it has to be an exchange of emotions" and Sdang hope that their performance can be understood as such.
The festival, which is being endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, will feature six foreign bands and a number of genres. Along with Sdang with its more progressive element, will be Angler and On A Ship both from Venice from the hardcore and melodic core scenes, respectively.
There will also be Plan de Fuga and Dorian Gray with a more pop rock sound, with the latter also putting on a sound and vision show including live illustrations by artist Paolo Bacilieri and shown on the big screens simultaneously. There will also be a return performance by cult band My Drug Hell from the UK.
Friday's show starts off at around 6.30 pm with the first stage being dedicated to two-piece bands, will including Paragon, Beesqueeze, Krishna and Sdang. The second stage will be dedicated to metal, hardcore and punk, kicking off with On a Ship, BILA, Angler and ClubMurder. KNTRL will be ending the night.
Saturday will also start at 6.30pm on the first stage with indie pop rock bands Life Long War, Canvas Wall, Plan De Fuga and nosnow/noalps. The second stage will feature Massacre House Party, The Voyage, Dorian Gray (sound and vision) and Brodu. CRUX will bring the night to a close.
Sunday starts at 1pm with a hip hop branch Umannimali, Semplicment tat-triq and Tydal & The Acquaintances followed by the afternoon shows: Eversity, Pyramid Suns, WaterWings, Falcon's Flying Circus and Dance Apollo. The evening's first stage will be dedicated to female-fronted bands with Jack's Fusion, Cryptic Street, Lucy's Last and Fuzzhoneys. The second stage will be a mix of jazz, fusion and indie rock with The Ranch, Vertigo Dingo, The Velts and My Drug Hell. Nbome will conclude the evening.
The silent disco will be kicking off a bit later on Friday and Saturday from 10pm and Sunday from 5pm. The line up includes A Critical Mass, Trackage Scheme, Bass Culture, Freedom Fighters, Sick of Ants, FDM Crew and the Rock The South Malta crew, with more to be announced.