THEY say it’s the simple things in life that make it worthwhile. Like taking a drive to Hazelmere Dam with your friends and sipping on something cold while listening to some cool beats.
All this and more can be done on Saturday with another 5 000 electronic dance music fans who have the same idea in mind at the Fun in the Sun (FITS) Festival .
Now in its sixth year, the fest has become known as one of the greatest outdoor music events in KZN. And the line-up is always something to look forward to. This year, forming part of the 50 artists on the bill are Pascal and Pearce (CT), Chris Taylor (CT), Beat Army (Jhb), Digital Kaos, Veranda Panda, Mark E Mark, Bhashkar and more.
But the festival is much more than your average music event. It also includes fun-filled activities for the entire family such as boat riding, wet biking, wake boarding, tubing, skiing, fishing, camping and braai areas.
Brought to you by Matthew and Gregg Ord-Hume and Rowan Clelland, the FITS fest starts at 6am to provide party-goers with a full day of fun.
During our chat, Matthew Ord-Hume reveals how the festival came about: “It was started by myself and a group of friends and we used to attend Hazelmere Dam almost every Sunday and go lake boarding. We had a generator and a sound system and we thought it might be a good idea to get friends and start playing music there and soon after, more people attended and enjoyed it and it just got bigger.
“It’s basically become one of the fastest-growing EDM festivals. It started six years ago with a handful of people and has now grown into this massive outdoor event. And we’ve had a range of DJs who have played at the fest. You know, kids come through at six in the morning with the whole camping idea and sports gear and they chill at the dam for the weekend and listen to their favourite DJs and it’s a chance to socialise after exams for matrics and over-18s.”
So how do you keep the festival exciting and appealing to party-goers year after year?
“Well, from ticket sales, we first started off with 30 people and last year, we had over 4 700 people. It’s really grown within a few years and every time we host it, it seems to just grow. And I think it’s a combination of the location and the people who go to the event.
“They are very friendly and outgoing and it doesn’t happen as often. Even in Durban itself, it has nine other rock festivals and then the other fest is us, where you can camp, and it’s for the youth with lots of DJs and next year we’re looking at incorporating live bands into the fest.
“I think the festival appeals to the youth and it’s an original event with nothing else like it.”
• Don’t miss the FITS Festival on Saturday from 6am. Tickets cost R250 at Computicket. For more information, visit www.fitsfest.co.za.