Talking Tunes; Oppikoppi 2014 the festival of a lifetime

On Sunday, August 10, I returned to Jo’burg from the best music festival of my life.

This year marked the festival’s 20th anniversary, Oppikoppi Odyssey, where the bushveld, just outside Northam, in Limpopo, saw some 20 000 music lovers unite for three days for the simple reason of having a good time.

The best thing about koppi is its platform for normal people to escape reality and be free to just be “you” and be accepted for it.

Each person who leaves Koppi, leaves with memories to cherish and stories to tell; so here is mine:

Defeating the urges of having civilisation, when camping amid the thorn trees, bushveld and hills over which the warm sun peeks over in the mornings and disappear again at night; seeing what was given to us before the buildings we built on it and before the money we make of it, was priceless.

I have always valued nature and the beautiful landscape our country is blessed with, but being among it and feeling its immediate presence gave me a whole new perspective, list of things to be grateful for and make a better effort to enjoy it.

The next thing is the spirit and unity.

The festival has an inexplicable way of uniting its folk despite cultural and racial differences.

It was refreshing to see happy faces, greeting you while making their way through the camp sites, as apposed to the grumpy ones spotted in your rear-view mirror in the mornings, on their way to work.

I also loved how easy it was to become friends with surrounding campers.

Of course the best part of Oppikoppi 2014 was the reason I ventured off to Limpopo in the first place; the sweet tunes.

With seven stages, we were constantly carried by the beautiful sound waves of more than 120 artists.

Standing in a huge crowd with flashlights and anticipation surrounding you before a big show is the best feeling in the world.

The range of music was a treat with international names such as Editors, Wolfmother, Rival Sons and many local performers to be utterly proud of.

After having my mind blown through a combined act by Albert Frost and Dan Patlansky, I can safely call them the Jimi Hendrixes of South Africa.

Shortstraw, Aking, Mr Cat and the Jackal, Wrestlerish and way too many to name also had me starry-eyed.

For those who like to pump fists there were also a variety of renowned DJs, such as DJ Fresh and PHFAT.

Of course you encounter some truly peculiar moments and people, which all add to the festivity, merriment and your “I cannot believe that just happened” moments to share with your friends.

Among mine were a person who established himself at the side of the stage before the Aking concert, giving out hugs while whispering the phrase: “Hugs are free” in patrons’ ears and people who feel comfortable with sleeping in trees.

While putting on my jacket a random stranger in the crowd came from behind and helped me put it on, smiled and carried on walking.

Someone felt spontaneous nearing an end of the Van Coke Kartel performance and decided to run across the stage in the nude. (I know; whaaat?)

Lastly you must not be suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as you will get dirty.

It is dusty, the showers are minimal and you stay in a camp site.

Half of my luggage existed of wet wipes and spray-on shampoo.

It’s truly all for the greater good and part of the experience to embrace.

In my opinion you have to experience it to feel the magic, which I encourage all my fellow music-lovers to do.

It’s a legendary festival consisting of journeys and adventures that no one on the outside knows of.

This will undoubtedly become an annual attendance for me.TB