This years OppiKoppi was quite a different experience. Firstly, I’d love to know how or who stopped people from shouting OPPI and retaliating KOPPI – purely to kiss them right on the face and sincerely thank them.
That wasn’t the only difference at this years, Mr. Vos Vos, in fact, as NAZ sees it, it was a distinctively different experience. This year, we didn’t have any interviews and almost no responsibilities. It was beautiful to be freely intoxicated before the sunset. Red eye Jedi – without stuttering some arb questions to the likes of Sibot or The Kiffness.
In fact, a month prior to Oppi we had yet to even request media passes from the lovely, Erin Crous, thankfully she was kind enough to allow us last-minute entrance into the festival.
This was the first event in 6 months that Brendon and I were both able to attend (it’s kinda hard to report on something from China, china.)
I’ll be the first to admit Rocking The Daisies completely and utterly annihilated Oppi’s line-up this year. However, I don’t believe it could be any more enjoyable than the Oppi experience itself. Oppi is a beast, a living, breathing shit-faced-fest that no one in SA could possibly ever imitate or overtake. It’s got its own soul and therefore, does something powerful to yours.
Inner-animal release! With no interviews, no photo shoots, no media requirements, Oppi becomes a blur, one that almost, if not everyone, experiences. A mix between a burning hangover in the sun and stumbling back to your campsite – praying you’ll find your tent.
The list of bands you want to see versus the amount you end up actually getting up and going to – is a sad, but true reality. You’ll never catch them all due to the distraction of your closest friends, babes for days, and copious amounts of alcohol and whatever other substances you choose to abuse. It’s almost impossible to get yourself away from it all and pay attention to a band for an hour or so.
It’s like ADHD fest, so much to do, so little time. It feels like you’re always doing something, but when it gets to the point of packing up your tent, you realize you spent far too much time laughing and drinking at your campsite. I’m not sure what your vibe is at Oppi, but it’s definitely the best part for me.
I did manage to catch a few bands though, of course – Gogol Bordello? Come on, if you missed that shit – jy’s n dom naai, jammer om jou kak te hoer.
While everyone was watching Desmond and the Tutus for the 500th time this year, I opted to give Okmalumkoolkat a chance. A slightly disappointing performance in that I didn’t really understand what was going on. Playing other people’s tracks and shit? What’s up with that.
Sibot, obviously destroyed and PH Fat was said to be a little ‘flat’. Haters gonna hate, but I always enjoy their performance. Last year, they were hands down the raddest act.
I’d have to say though, apart from Gogol Bor-changing-my-fucking-life, ‘The Completely Different Band’ was a winner! An older dude shredding a guitar, playing drums and singing the blues, supported by a ukulele and various other instruments by the before-mentioned frontmans counterparts.
Damn that got me boogying and kept me tapping my feet all the way through the festival.
Whatever it is that makes you tick, Oppi’s got it and that’s why I don’t understand why anyone would ever miss it. Weekend-of-the-year.
Have a rad day!,
NAZ.
For more photos hit us up on BookFace and check em out.
Words – Tyrone Kelly
Photos – Brendon Salzer
Not Another Zebra 
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