My word this is actually quite a tricky review to write. I have so many conflicting thoughts and emotions regarding this festival. It’s a delicate balance between the journalist critic and the party man, the objective versus the subjective, pessimist, optimist, etc. There is one word however, that accurately describes Rocking the Daisies and encapsulates all the mixed opinions I have about it: overwhelming. Because of course, being overwhelmed can be both a good and a bad thing. Continue reading Rocking The Daisies 2011
This year was only my second time at Up The Creek and my first time getting the proper attendee experience. Last year I was a volunteer and therefore spent half the time greeting people at the gate. This saddens me, because despite having wanted to go since my school days over 10 years ago, I just never made it happen and then got distracted by other major festivals popping up around the Western Cape. I now realise just how much I have missed out on given that UTC is now officially my favourite music festival, and I am here to tell all of you out there you also haven’t been yet, do yourself a favour.
According to the UK Daily Mirror, SA’s top music festival, Oppikoppi, ranks fourth outside Britain.
Confirming what we already know (ie, that the local live music culture offers an equal if not better atmosphere than many idealised locations abroad), the newspaper listed all the major international festivals which were worth attending. Oppikoppi remains the only African festival on the list.
Oppikoppi 2008: Hou vas of Fokof
“Like Glastonbury, only hotter,” said the article on Daily Mirror.co.uk.
The 15-year-old festival was credited for placing indiginous bands and DJ’s alongside European talent – all under the heavenly skies of the African highveld.
Beating Oppikoppi are Belgium’s Pukkelpop, Benicassim in Spain and Japan’s Fuji Rocks.
“We are really happy about being included in the rankings. It’s really an honour to be the only African festival to feature on the list,” said Annelie Hoffman of OppiKoppi Productions.
Taking place on the official OppiKoppi farm in Limpopo province and attracting 15 000 people each year, Oppikoppi made its name as the first festival attracting an Afrikaans rock market.
“The success of OppiKoppi rests on the fact that we have always stayed true to South African music and we have allowed the festival to grow to reflect the diverse cultures we have in our country,” says Hoffman
This year’s main festival will be taking place from August 7th-10th, but are also hosting the ‘warm-up’ Not Quite Easter in Northam from 25th-27th April. Bands on offer will be Henry Ate, Tidal Waves, Kidofdoom and Van Coke Kartel.
1. Pukkelpop (August 14-16) – Belgium
2. Benicassim (July 17-20) – Spain
3. Fuji Rocks (July 25-27) – Japan
4. OppiKoppi (August 7 – 10) – South Africa
5. Bestival (September 5-7) – UK
6. Airwaves (October 15-19) – Iceland
7. Rock Werchter (July 3-6) – Germany
8. The Electric Picnic (August 29-31) – Ireland
9. The Big Day Out (January 2009) – New Zealand
10. The Montreux Jazz Festival (July 4-19) – Switzerland
