Originally starting in 1994, with only 27 local featured artists and a small group of eager followers, Oppikoppi now attracts up to 15000 people, and international acts, to Limpopo province every August.
Story by Nicole Rodel
Starting on 5 August 2011, people from all over South Africa will be flowing into the annual music festival that jump-started the South African rock scene in the 90s. Although the festival mainly focuses on rock music, it has gradually started bringing in other musical genres and attracting more supporters. The Oppikoppi music festival features rock, jazz, house music, comedy and other acts over the weekend.
Oppikoppi is the colloquial abbreviation of the Afrikaans phrase “op die koppie”, literally meaning “on the hill”. Campers set up at the bottom of the hill, and the various stages and bars can be found on top of the hill.
This year all of the well known South African bands are once again being featured, but two international bands have also been attracted to the annual music festival. The Used, the American rock band, and well known punk band, Sum41, will be joining in on the fun this year.
Tickets for Oppikoppi 2011 – Unknown Brother can be found online at Ticketbreak for R550 and are selling quickly, so come along and join in on one of the best musical experiences in South Africa.