The countdown is on! Just 33 days until the legendary Oppikoppi music festival. As part of your training, here are 10 local bands to learn about, and check out at the festival!
1. aKing
Local “American Mid-West” style band aKing form part form part of my favourite local tour ever – VanFokKingTasties. With the drummer from Fokofpolisiekar and the rest of the gang also hailing from Belville, they bring a splattering of American style bar rock to Oppikoppi
2. Fokofpolisiekar
There has never been a decent festival lineup that didn’t feature the legendary boys from Belville. The Fok in VanFokKingTasties, They made Afrikaan cool again, have survived pissing off the Afrikaans Christian community, issues with their name and they have all run side projects. We have it on good authority this will be the first time in almost 2 years the full, original band plays together.
3. Newtown Knife Gang
Featuring former membersfrom 16 Stitch, and Spencer Martin, the ex-vocalist from from the Dead Will Tell. NKG are going to drop a hardcore bombshell on Oppikoppi the likes of which it will be recoiling from for a while.
4. Pestroy
Leading the charge for hard rock are Jozi legends Pestroy. Be warned: Do not take this band lightly. They will destroy you! Pestroy have never played an average set, and always deliver an incredible show.
5. Taxi Violence
I have no idea what other people think of these guys and I don’t care. One of my favourite live acts at the moment, Taxi Violence will serve up their dirty, grungy rock to anyone within 5 miles of Oppikoppi!
6. The Stellas
If you are a guy, you will watch this band for the sheer volume of hot girls they attract. If you are a girl you will watch them because… I dunno, but girls seem to like them. If you are a music lover, and you are because you’re off to Oppikoppi, you will watch them because these young guys serve up some proper, Rolling Stones-vibe kinda rock. It’s soft without being limp wristed.
7. Black Cat Bones
For a complete change of pace, we have Black Cat Bones. Ska-blues-rock guys, I saw them on the Bushveld Stage last year. Check them there, chill in the sun. It’s awesome.
8. Desmond & The Tutus
Jozi ska boys the Desomond and the Tutus have a cult following with followers calling themselves “Desomond and the Tutus kids.” They have a bouncy vibe and a bunch of melodys that stick in your head. Take a check at these guys!
9. Southern Gypsey Queen
I started out liking this band because I thought their bassist – the lovely Tammy, was a hottie. I still think that, but there is genuine substance behind these guys. They are a bit more American rock and roll. A lot of the bands on the list have this vibe, but Southern Gypsey Queen have it in their name. Check them out.
10. Tidal Waves
Original music for original people. The hardest working reggae band in South Africa, the Tidal Waves call themselves reggae, but have elements of rock jumping into their tunes. I hope they play in the afternoon. as sitting under the trees with these guys playing sound slike heaven!