Champion Trees is a band formed by cousins Francis Christie and Lex Pienaar, along with drummer Langa Dubazana, at the University of Cape Town. They were influenced by 90s bands such as Belle & Sebastian and Pavement, and aimed to have fun with music and language. The band's debut album, NOW 3000, was well-received in 2022. Their second album, A Duck’s Water Off My Back, features lush arrangements and a marked departure from their early material, thanks to the addition of new members James Bickford-Smith, Michael Burke, and Michelle Hromin. The album has received critical acclaim, particularly from Outside Noise, who praised its beautiful poetry. The band will be performing with support.
