//SUNBURNT BUT SMILING
THE TAN LINES WILL FADE BUT THE MEMORIES REMAIN. AND THE BEAT LIVES ON AFTER A FEW DAYS PARTYING AT ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S AMAZING MUSIC FESTIVALS – AT WHATEVER SPEED TAKES YOUR FANCY.
“The music festival” is the nightmare that gives parents of teenagers sleepless weekends, what with the drugs, tattoos, rock ’n roll and a ton of bad decisions involved. Or so the cliché would have us believe. Now, let’s not be naïve – memories are definitely made (and a fair number likely lost) at music fests – but in many respects the sense of community, fun and self-expression makes most music festivals feel like a giant gathering of friends. Except the party doesn’t always stop when the sun rises.
SPLASHY FEN 23rd to 27th September 2020 Splashy Fen Farm, Underberg splashyfen.co.za | Tickets: From R740
The granddaddy of South African music fests, Splashy Fen has been going since 1990, when 400 musicians and fans gathered on the eponymous farm outside Underberg. This festival somehow manages to be everything to everyone, thanks to its chilled vibe, wide variety of performers and an epic mountain setting. Where else can you catch a belly dancing show, trance set and mammoth rock band just a few minutes’ walk apart?
The festival offers five different stages and about 80 artists, so if you can’t find something to like, you have clearly grown tired of life. Camping is the name of the game, and it’s elbows out in a first come, first served kind of way. If you’re not made of the stern stuff, there are glamping options and powered campsites, and if you have kids there is a family campsite too. All bases are covered, is pretty much what we’re saying.
AFRIKABURN
TCB 2021 Stonehenge Private Reserve,Tankwa www.afrikaburn.com
Waaaay more than a music or art festival, AfrikaBurn is... Well, it’s a radical cultural event that celebrates selfexpression, community, civic responsibility, inclusion, and so much more. It’s a local version of America’s Burning Man – that most famous of all cultural festivals – and celebrates art, life, diversity, experimentation, and everything in-between. If it feels like we’re scrambling to sum it up in a few sentences,
While COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellation of many music festivals, others have been postponed until later in the year, or are only due to rock around again in 2021. So there’s no need to despair – and until its time to hit the festival circuit again, listen to your favourite artists at home, and have a party for one.
it’s because we are. There’s just so much to it, so much driving it, and so much to experience that it feels weird even including it in this list of festivals.
Probably the best way to describe it is that AfrikaBurn is less about consuming art – be it performance art, music, sculpture or mutant cars(!) – and more about participating in whatever way, shape or form strikes you in the moment, so long as it doesn’t harm anyone else.There is probably no better platform for unadulterated self-expression, and it all happens in the sun-scorched Karoo with a few thousand likeminded people. It’s a trip, and then some.
MTN BUSHFIRE 29th to 31st May 2020 Malkerns Valley, eSwatini www.bush-fire.com | Tickets: From R1,150 excl. camping
MTN Bushfire has been billed as one of the best African arts and music festivals on the entire continent. And hey, 26,000 people from all over the world converging on a peaceful valley for a weekend of killer music can’t all be wrong. It’s an amazing platform for local eSwatini acts to perform in front of thousands, and attendees also get to enjoy top South African artists, not to mention a liberal sprinkling of those from further afield on the African continent.
Four stages cater to different tastes, from laidback acoustic to high-energy DJs, and as far as accommodation goes, you can camp (there’s a family-only camping area too) by bringing your own gear or renting from the organisers. There are some pretty swish glamping options too if you want to remain well-groomed throughout the weekend.
ROCKING THE DAISIES 02nd to 04th October 2020 Cloof Wine Estate, Cape Town 03rd to 04th October 2020 – Ellis Park, Johannesburg rockingthedaisies.com | Tickets: From R695
Can you believe Rocking the Daisies is turning 15 years old this year? It’s negotiating those awkward teenage years pretty well – the 2020 event will be run simultaneously in CapeTown and Johannesburg, being held across two provinces for the first time in the event’s history. Headlining the festival is Stormzy (UK),Ari Lennox (US),YBN Cordae (US) and Col3trane (UK), with more acts to be announced closer to the time.
The Cape Town festival runs for an extra day, and if camping is a prerequisite for a music festival to feel like a music festival for you, that’s the leg to go to, as the Joburg festival will be held at Ellis Park, obviously without camping.
A big part of the festival is its environmentally-conscious approach – “play hard, tread lightly” as they say – and past attendees will have taken part in everything from treeplanting initiatives to getting their hands on complimentary bio-degradable soaps with which to wash away last night’s party. The festival kicks up all sorts of new surprises each year – if you’re one of the 10,000 or so fans this year, keep your eyes peeled.
ULTRA SOUTH AFRICA
TBC 2021 Johannesburg and Cape Town ultrasouthafrica.com
The party doesn’t get much bigger than Ultra Johannesburg or CapeTown – you take your pick.The 2020 edition was headlined by some of the globe’s biggest DJs such as Steve Aoki, Afrojack and DJ Snake, and supported by the best local talent.
It’s a one-night affair, so no need to bring your beaten-up tent and bongo drums. But while it lacks a multi-day format, it more than packs a punch in terms of the artists on display and wall-to-wall good vibes as people let it all go on the dancefloor from early afternoon into the wee hours of the morning. Pyrotechnics, lots of energy drinks, sweaty bodies, singing fans – it’s got it all. Just don’t forget to stretch first.
UP THE CREEK
TBC 2021 Up the Creek Camp, Breede River, Swellendam www.upthecreek.co.za
The other granddaddy of SA’s music fests, Up the Creek had its start in 1990 and epitomises the free spirit and egalitarianism of the music festival. There’s no VIP area for musicians and everyone is encouraged to come as they are – and to bring a floatie. You read that right: With a stage overlooking the river, you can appreciate some fine local music while riding an inflatable unicorn, banana, donut or whatever it is you own that holds air (we encourage you to be creative here).
Tickets are limited to 2,500 – which, although still being a lot of people, as festivals go it is quite an intimate affair, so you’ll never feel overwhelmed by the crowds. What this also means is short queues and a seriously chilled vibe for four days of river lazing, foot-stomping music, good food and special memories. Accommodation options are simple:There’s straight up camping (included in the ticket price) or you can cough up a little extra dough for a full glamping experience.