Last year, more than 20 000 matriculants descended on Umhlanga and Ballito for the Matric Rage Festival and this year will be no different, with tickets already selling like hot cakes.
This is despite the event’s being more than seven months away.
More than 5 000 “passports” have been sold. The 2 000 platinum passports have sold out already, and just more than 200 of the most coveted black passports are left.
The Rage Festival producer at G&G Productions, William McIntyre, said they broke a record when they sold out 1 300 early bird passports in less then 10 minutes after their release on March 1.
The regular, platinum and black passports are selling in four phases and the prices increase with each phase.
Regular tickets initially sold for R950. They are now at R1 100, but will eventually cost R1 500.
The platinum started at just less than R2 000 but would cost R2 950 when they were eventually sold out.
The black passport is for those who want to party in style and is currently sold at R3 450 with phase four due to cost R3 650.
“The black passport guarantees the holder exclusivity, including not having to join a queue, private lounges, drinks specials and festival discounts,” said McIntyre.
It gives holders access to all the Sound Factory events including the opening and closing parties – the catch is that only 750 are made available each year. McIntyre warned that the platinum and black passports always sold out before reaching phase four.
The reunion passports are only sold to people over the age of 19 and mostly for tertiary students who want to meet up with their friends at the festival.
Last year the festival had more than a dozen of the world’s top international electronic dance music DJs, including Gelab and Congorock, but this year’s line-up is still under wraps.
“We always deliver an exceptional line-up and this year will be no different. We are in talks with a number of people, but we can’t reveal anything until we’ve signed the contracts,” said McIntyre.
The full Rage Festival programme, including DJs, will be released on August 3.
As an improvement to their shuttle network, the festival organisers have introduced Rage Rides, in response to the demand for transport to and from parties between Ballito and Umhlanga.
McIntyre said this was to ensure that revellers did not drink and drive, and travelled safely between the events and their accommodation.
Rage Rides passes will go on sale on May 10, at a cost of between R400 and R550, depending on where one would be travelling from.
The festival runs from November 26 to December 5 with parties at the Sound Factory at Kings Park Stadium, and various nightclubs in Ballito.