The virtual velvet rope to Speakerbox.co.za has officially been unhooked. The new site – part of the same social networking platform provided by Blueworld.co.za – offers South African music fans an all-access pass to their favourite rockstars, pop princesses, DJs and kwaito kings. Visitors can zone into rock, urban, pop or dance culture, download MP3s, watch music videos, rate the latest CDs and share their love of music with like-minded people.
Speakerbox is an online community for music fans, but it’s also a bunch of people in fetching t-shirts at a music venue near you. Annel Malan, Speakerbox Editor explains: “A social networking website is all very well, but to really experience music you have to be out there at a gig with someone spilling beer over your shoes. Speakerbox covers as many live gigs as possible, and what we don’t get to, our readers tell us about.”
On Speakerbox, fans can meet other fans, check out what’s new in the music world, download free music (amazingly, this is legal), share photos, watch exclusive video footage (such as ‘How to play poker like a rock star’) or just enjoy ranting and raving about the latest Loyiso and Obita collaboration.
Different from other music sites, Speakerbox gives its writers and fans the same authority. Bands can also contribute directly to the Speakerbox network with the opportunity to create their own profiles, giving fans direct access to their videos and music.
Outdoors at festivals or inside at clubs and music venues, the Speakerbox team have access to bands and encourage them to interact with fans to create a unique party experience. For example, at the recent Oppikoppi music festival in Northam, Limpopo, Speakerbox together with Levi’s Original Music Magazine hosted an exclusive unplugged Taxi Violence performance. Complementing the fans’ festival experience, exclusive Oppikoppi mobi-packs – consisting of a gig guide, site map and MP3 downloads - could also be downloaded by SMSing a dedicated number.
And at the upcoming Rocking the Daisies festival (October 3 – 5), Speakerbox will collaborate with Red Bull to host the Red Bull Radar battle of the bands competition. In support of emerging talent, they are offering four lucky bands the chance to play live and loud on the Rocking the Daisies main stage on the Friday. One of these bands will also win a four-track EP recording and a professional music video. Together with Levi’s Original Music Magazine, Speakerbox will also sponsor local artists Farryl Purkiss and 340ml and with a bit of luck, get an exclusive unplugged gig out of them too.
Facebook and soon-to-be WAP-enabled, Speakerbox also offers a national gig guide, keeping fans up to date with the latest festivals, rock concerts and dance and trance parties.
Says Malan, “Speakerbox’s payoff line, ‘where music is everything’ basically says it all. We’re a cool site for South Africans who are passionate about music and who want to express themselves with similarly outspoken and get-in-the-pit sort of fans.”
For more information visit,
www.speakerbox.co.za and check-out the vibes.