Rock, paper, scissors: a random selection tool, but not much has been left to fate as the yearly Oppikoppi music festival approaches once again. Following years of traditionally quirky titles, this year’s event is named after the perenially useful children’s game.
From August 3 to 6, the bushveld landscape at Oppikoppi farm outside the mining town of Northam will be littered with multicoloured tents, rows of dusty vehicles, huge stages and milling music fans come from afar to see the excellent line-up on offer.
The musical menu, spread over four stages and many more genres, has established artists as well as “brand-new hooligans and heroes”, says the organisers.
Local flavour includes the likes of Anika and guitar man Syd Kitchen, the Albert Frost Trio, Bed on Bricks, the exciting Blk Jks, Cassette, solo success Chris Chameleon, the Dirty Skirts, Evolver, Fokofpolisiekar, Goldfish, Hip Hop Pantsula, The Hellphones, Jim Neversink, Love Jones, Malaika, Pestroy, The Narrow, The Parlotones, Vusi Mahlasela and ‘Koppi mainstay Valiant Swart — and, unmissable, the antics of Corne and Twakkie of The Most Amazing Show fame.
Also expect the usual booty-shaking to the beats of A Blunted Stuntman, Shaun Duvet, DJs T!, Bob, Fletcher and other deck masters.
Oppikoppi is also still in cahoots with Belgium’s massive Pukkelpop festival. Each year, the two events exchange bands, DJs, media and more. Belgian acts Das Pop and Hitch come to South Africa this time, and the Real Estate Agents will wow European audiences from August 17 to 19.
Amsterdam band zZz are also on the line-up: “organ, drums and vocals is all it takes for this duo to serve up their Molotov cocktail of violent trance, psychedelic electro wave, garage soul and dirty rock’n’roll”, says the Oppikoppi crew.
Less violent and psychedelic, and more classy and soulful, will be poet, actor, singer and rapper Saul Williams, known for his spoken-word performances as much as for his hip-hop prowess alongside The Fugees, Erykah Badu and other famous names.
Go to Oppikoppi.co.za for the full line-up and other useful bits and pieces.
Tickets cost R330 — including all costs — at Computicket, Shoprite, selected Levi’s stores and at the gate