Music brings us together

It is a constant reminder that we are one and a language we all understand. Game is bringing South Africans together through the music that is reflective of our South African people. In other words, music that is born from our musicians, songwriters, producers is music that gifts us narratives that we all share. Even the smallest of events become big parts of our experiences in our communities. It is in music that we acknowledge these and can appreciate them. The pandemic has become more than just an extension of our lives. We plan and live our lives around it. Additionally, it has been an extremely challenging time and it is in music we believe we can find comfort. Therefore, Game returns with their Winter Campaign that provides singers the opportunity to perform acoustic songs and in doing so, offer us some comfort during this time that is an epitome of darkness and Winter Blues. The virtual musical event was given the name: Beat the Winter Blues. For us, this is reflective of how we are in the midst of fighting against the winter season alive in Covid-19.

In addition, it invites each and every one of us to come together in music. The music festival will be accessible to everyone in our beloved country since the performers will express themselves musically through song in all nine provinces throughout the entire month of the dawn of our winter season, June. This means that this year, the performers will join us live in store as we shop! It will be an experience that will truly allow us to feel the music. The transition from a virtual festival to a live one will do wonders for the objective of this campaign. Read the article below to find out more about Game’s plans to support our music and brings us all together to beat the hard times.

Game supports local performers across the country

Expanding on its 2020 ‘Beat the Winter Blues’ virtual music festival, African retailer Game this year plans to expand its support for local artists – brining live music to shoppers in all 9 provinces throughout the month of June. 

“South Africa is a nation of music enthusiasts, and our 2020 was incredibly well-received by our consumers as the country grappled with the colder months in the throes of the pandemic. This year, we wanted to continue to support the local music industry through the pandemic and give our customers the joy of live music,” says Katherine Madley, Vice President of Marketing at Game.

Much-loved South African artists, Arno Carstens and Ami Faku will treat Game customers and followers to acoustic performances, shot in Game stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town that will be live streamed to the Game Facebook page on 19 and 26 June, to allow for safe viewing. Shoppers visiting their nearest Game store to shop winter essentials can once again look forward to live in-store performances by local buskers each weekend, this year in all 9 provinces.

“During lockdown last year, I was thrilled to be able to work with Game for the first time on the Beat the Winter Blues virtual music festival, and thanks to the wonderful support of the public, we are going to do it again this year – this year inviting the public to help us spread warmth this winter,” says award-winning South African singer and song writer Arno Carstens. 

In a bid to help vulnerable South Africans to beat the winter blues, Game plans to donate a total of 1000 blankets to Gift of the Givers and the Homestead through a blanket drive, in partnership with the Expresso Show. The drive will run throughout the month of June in 25 of Game’s stores across the country – and consumers are encouraged to donate blankets when visiting their nearest Game store.

“We recognise that winter is a difficult time for our vulnerable communities. We wanted to provide the opportunity for our shoppers to give back, and believe that the joy of music will be a wonderful catalyst for this,” concludes Madley.