Every year Oppikoppi gets better and better and Oppikoppi BewilderBeast will be no exception. It begins tomorrow night and rocks on until Sunday morning.
Perhaps the most exciting band to play will be The Deftones. Since the Nineties they have been the masters of alternative rap/metal with moments of sweet sensitivity.
Other international acts lined up are Finlay Quaye for 9pm on Friday. I have always thought his sublime reggae is more suited to daytime chill sessions.
Speaking of chilling, the Ray Ban Top Stage looks like a great place to chill. Look out for a new Just Music act, Nakhane Toure, who has just released his debut album, Brave Confusion. Supreme musician, Carlo Mombelli, will make a welcome return and always has a challenging set.
Red Huxley return from recording in the US and it will be interesting to see how that experience has influenced their music. They are such a great band. Red Huxley will do a normal and unplugged set. Nice!
Staying with music a lot less commercial, but a lot more credible, Rambling Bones, Tailor and Gerald Clark will be other musos to look out for.
But wait, there is so much more. Jack Parow is also expected to perform. As stated in the press release: “Although the festival’s organisers have popular acts like Parow play only every two years, Oppikoppi is a festival that is always a highlight for the Afrikaans rap star. He made a personal request to be part of the 2013 edition.”
Great news for the 20 000 people expected to descend on the game farm in Limpopo.
Having seen Shadowclub at the Fete de la Musique in Melville, there is no question that these three rockers will be another highlight. Look out for new material from their upcoming album. Tumi was another artist who received huge accolades when he performed at the Fete de la Musique.
Jeremy Loops has proved to be a huge favourite at all the festivals in the country and this year will be no exception. Blasts from the past are Fuzigish and Mango Groove. Oh, and on a low note, run for cover when Toya Delazy hits the stage. It’s a nasty aural and visual experience. Here’s hoping Zakes Bantwini has some new material as he has been dining out on that great debut album for way too long.
Mi Casa are riding high on their latest hit single, Jika, and judging from their recent performance in KZN, they are sure to rock the crowds with their house music. But they will have to work hard for it because the ’Koppi crowd traditionally like their music a lot rougher. Enter Bittereinder, who close the Wesley Dome Stage on Friday night and are set to have at least 10 000 in the audience. They have a huge following at ’Koppi. Their aggressive music and strong Afrikaans lyrics make them the perfect band for this festival.
Cortina Whiplash will give you pure rock ’n’ roll. Gangs of Ballet are back with a new album. My personal favourite, Black Cat Bones, play twice including an unplugged set called Black Cat Bones Deboned. Blues guitarists Dan Patlansky and Albert Frost cannot and must not be missed. ’Koppi veteran, Arno Carstens, has something called the Blind Tiger Sessions with friends of his. And no matter how his career has slowed, he is still one of the best vocalists and entertainers in the history of contemporary South African music.
Finally, a huge highlight and for many a wonderfully emotional experience will be the tribute to South African legend and a vital component of the Oppikoppi family, Koos Kombuis. I have never seen people rock out like they do to this fantastic icon. Joining him will be some of the top artists in the country. However, let this act be a surprise. All the better.
It is all going to be so much fun. See you on the ’Koppi.