After Kaytranada's performance, after a captivating performance, there was a recurring theme that he owned nothing in Joburg.
Joburgers had a better experience at the Milk & Cookies Festival than the one in Cape Town and were impressed by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
“Congratulations to the organizers. South Africans are hungry for a good time. We are getting back to the happiness economy,” said a delighted Milk & Cookie Fest at Huddle Park Golf & Recreation. McKenzie said.
We need to build a platform that allows local promoters and artists to host these types of events all year round. This is the basis of job creation and well-being. Congratulations to all the organizers of Milk and Cookie Fest 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿 pic.twitter.com/5bgQx6f3dn
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) January 11, 2025
“We're going to get it back, we're going to get it back in 2025.” [sic] I have a lot of these. International artists are returning home to perform here, look at this,'' he said, pointing to the festival's large crowd.
Milk & Cookies is a diversified production and marketing company headquartered in Atlanta, USA, with clients in London, South Africa, Los Angeles, Toronto and more.
This was the first edition of the festival in South Africa. The event kicked off in Cape Town with New Year's festivities, yacht parties, cultural experiences and special fashion pop-ups from top local designers.
Week two shifted the focus to artist development, offering workshops, panels and networking mixers designed to nurture South Africa's emerging musical talent.
Last weekend's standout performers included Kitty Cash$ and Muzi, but it would have been better if one of those two had come before Kaytranada's set instead of Mörda.
Also read: Patrons complain of disruption at Cape Town Milk & Cookie Festival
Kaytranada doesn't owe Joburg anything.
After Kaytranada's performance on Saturday night, there was a recurring theme that he owned nothing to the Joburg patrons after his captivating performance.
The best night of my life has become new. Kaytranada, you don't owe me anything pic.twitter.com/iBuCs1NJZi
— My Kota Tuna (@jinji_boolin) January 11, 2025
It wasn't just the selection of songs from his discography, but his stage presence that consisted of energetic and engaging dancing and communication with the audience.
His set consisted of hit songs such as: At all, you are that person, let's be your girlland Go DJ Among the songs that captivated the young crowd throughout the set.
Kaytranada is a cool guy. What about those dance moves? I have to see him every month or so. Is JHB also crowded? It was insane, we were chanting “Go Ketra” 😭🇿🇦 #Kaytranada #milkandcookiefest #KatelanadineJohannesburg pic.twitter.com/rrI4BdHX6J
— Big Dawg (@fatbiscuitngidi) January 12, 2025
“Honestly, Johannesburg, that was definitely one of my top three best performances and best crowds,” Kaytranada declared in a post-performance tweet.
“The number of tweets I saw from you was [you guys] Are you saying I don't owe you anything? No, you guys don't owe me anything! thank you! “
To be honest, Johannesburg was definitely in my top three for best performances and best crowds. How many times have I seen your tweets saying I don't owe you anything?
Well, you guys don't owe me anything! thank you!— Kaytra Nada (@KAYTRANADA) January 12, 2025
Kaytranada is a two-time Grammy Award-winning producer born in Haiti and raised in Canada.
The 32-year-old was the headline act at the Milk & Cookies Festival and performed for the first time at Cape Town's Ostrich Farm. The show in Cape Town left a bad taste in many people's mouths due to the poor level of organization.
Complaints from patrons in Cape Town range from exorbitant prices for drinks to a lack of organization in the car park, where they claim there are no signs or ushers to assist patrons.
“You have the audacity to post about the afterparty when concertgoers are saying they couldn’t even leave the venue to attend this party. [no]everyone,” Lebo Shu commented on Instagram.
Also read: Msaki: Not yet in business, but by no means a retired musician
Joburg has improved but could be better
Joburg's version of the festival appears to have been better than the one Capet residents experienced a week ago.
Cape attendees complained about a lack of marshals and security personnel, but some security personnel were available to assist with parking at Huddle Park. It took an hour to drive to the venue, but it had an orderly atmosphere. The time you leave the venue depends on where you parked.
The process of having to load cash into Howler tags is an unnecessary and tedious element to festivals as so much time is spent queuing at festivals.
For women, it was even worse: there weren't enough women's restrooms, which made the queues even worse. The lines in the VIP section were quite long and it was even worse for regular customers.
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