# Oppikoppi

Oppikoppi was a music festival held in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, near the mining town of Northam. The festival started off focusing mostly on rock music, but gradually added more genres and now plays host to a complete mixed bag of genres. Anything from jazz, world music, house music, acoustic, comedy and all else in between can be heard on one of the multiple stages. Each year in the first week of August — except for 2017, when the festival was held in October — thousands of people used to flock to the farm to camp out in the bush and enjoy the music for several days. The festival features mostly South African bands, although international acts are included in the line-up.

## Background

"Oppikoppi" was a colloquial abbreviation of the Afrikaans phrase "op die koppie", which literally means "on the hill". The festival derives its name from the resort on the piece of land where it is held, featuring a picturesque hill on top of which there is a bar and a small original stage. Once a year, the festival grounds were erected at the foot of that hill, where many simultaneous performances took place on the several stages. Beyond this were the camping grounds. A stage on a second hill usually featured dance acts and DJs.

## History

The festival was first held in August 1995, with 27 local talents performing to a small crowd of enthusiasts. It has since grown substantially, with the addition of many new stages and thousands of people turning up each year. The festival is regarded by some as the primary influence in jump-starting the South African live music movement in the late 1990s. It attracts thousands of attendees annually.
According to the organizers they have "rolled bakkies, burnt tents, driven over knees, slept in jails, slept outside jails and turned over several stones to make gigs and festivals work."
In 2008, the Daily Mirror ranked OppiKoppi as the 4th best music festival in the world.
The festival has grown yearly, with 16 000 attendees and around 100 acts for both 2010 and 2011 and an estimated 20 000 attendees and 130 acts for 2012.

## Acts and genres

The festival hosts a wide array of acts, with artists being booked from genres including, but not limited to: rock, hip hop, hardcore, punk, ska, folk, blues, drum 'n bass, big beats, funk, kwaito, jazz, traditional, world music, metal, indie and other genres.
In the past there had been smaller, more intimate gatherings on each Easter weekend in April and New Year's gatherings.
In 2012, Oppikoppi announced that it would be organising a festival in Cape Town called "One Night in Cape Town". One Night in Cape Town was organised again in 2013, and every year since.

## Previous editions

Oppikoppi is generally divided into three different strains of Oppikoppi: the main event in August, the Easter edition (which was discontinued after 2009) and miscellaneous events for various reasons. Regardless of the occasion, date and size of each event, they have all had different names and themes associated with them. The organisers took a "gap year" in 2019 following negative reviews of the 2018 edition. 2020 dates have not yet been announced.
August Festivals :
| Year | Date | Theme | Notable performers |
| 1995 | 4–6 August | Festival of Rock 1 | Koos Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Squeal, Sugardrive, Battery 9, Urban Creep, Cardboard |
| 1996 | 8–11 August | Festival of Rock 2 | Squeal, Wendy Oldfield |
| 1997 | 7–10 August | One Big Bang | Valiant Swart, Squeal, Battery 9 |
| 1998 | 7–9 August | Bushveld Blast | Springbok Nude Girls, Koos Kombuis, Sugardrive, The Awakening |
| 1999 | 6–9 August | Infestation | Vusi Mahlasela, Boo!, The Awakening, Koos Kombuis, Gert Vlok Nel, Valiant Swart, Sugardrive, Zim Ngqawana, Buckfever Underground, Brasse Vannie Kaap |
| 2000 | 3–6 August | Trek 2000 | Soulwax, Ashton Nyte, Zita Swoon, Bizarre Bazaar |
| 2001 | 9–12 August | Tuned | Hooverphonic, Max Normal, Karen Zoid, Koos Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Battery 9, Ashton Nyte, Brasse Vannie Kaap, Frank Opperman, David Kramer, Lucky Dube |
| 2002 | 5–8 September | Plunge | 340ml, Albert Frost, Anton Goosen, Battery 9, Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes, De Heideroosjes, Frosted Orange, Fuzigish, Gito Baloi, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Jack Hammer, Kalahari Surfers, Karen Zoid, Kobus!, Koos Kombuis, Not My Dog, Mandoza, Shawn Phillips, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Tony Cox, Valiant Swart, Vusi Mahlasela, Zola |
| 2003 | 8–10 August | Hond uit 'n Box | No notable artists |
| 2004 | 6–9 August | Oppikoppi 10: Blood is thicker than Soda Water | 340ml, Arno Carsten's New Porn, Arsenal, Ashton Nyte, Band 'O Gypsys, Battery 9, Bed on Bricks, Boo!, Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes, Buckfever Underground, Cutting Jade, Dan Patlansky, The Fake Leather Blues Band, Fokofpolisiekar, Freshlyground, Gert Vlok Nel, Jack Hammer, Jan Blohm, Karen Zoid, Kobus!, Koos Kombuis, Ollie Viljoen, Pestroy, Prime Circle, Southern Gypsy Queen, Springbok Nude Girls, Squeal, Sugardrive, Syd Kitchen, The Blues Broers, The Narrow, Tidal Waves, Triggerfinger, Valiant Swart, Wonderboom |
| 2005 | 6–8 August | Wired | Freshlyground, Fokofpolisiekar, Chris Chameleon, 340ml, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse |
| 2006 | 4–6 August | Rock, Paper, Scissors | Saul Williams, Goldfish, Das Pop, Vusi Mahlasela, Fokofpolisiekar, Malaika, Chris Chameleon, The Narrow, Lark, Valiant Swart |
| 2007 | 9–11 August | Way of the Dassie | Jimmy Eat World, Groove Armada, Violent Femmes, The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Fokofpolisiekar, Hip Hop Pantsula, Chris Chameleon |
| 2008 | 7–9 August | Wildcard | 340ml, aKING, Albert Frost Trio, Bed on Bricks, Black Cat Bones, Cabins in the Forest, Dan Patlansky, Desmond & the Tutus, Farryl Purkiss, Foto na Dans, Freshlyground, Fuzigish, Gert Vlok Nel, Gordon's Suitcase with Strings & Skins, Guy Buttery, Harris Tweed, Isochronous, Jack Hammer, Josie Field, Juggernaught, Karen Zoid, Koos Kombuis, Laurie Levine, Lucky Fonz III (NL), New Academics, Nibs van der Spuy, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Southern Gypsy Queen, Syd Kitchen, Taxi Violence, The Mojomatics (IT), Tidal Waves, Valiant Swart, Van Coke Kartel, The Vendetta Cartel, Zebra & Giraffe |
| 2009 | 7–9 August | Smoorverlief | aKING, Andra, Ashtray Electric, Battery 9, Balthazar (BE), Bed on Bricks, Black Hotels, Crash Car Burn, Die Antwoord, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Dirty Skirts, Farryl Purkiss, Fokofpolisiekar, Foto na Dans, Isochronous, Jack Hammer & Friends, Jack Parow, Karen Zoid, Koos Kombuis, Lucky Fonz III (NL), Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland (CA), Riku Lätti & Albert Frost, Shadow Club, Short Straw, Taxi Violence, The Parlotones, Tidal Waves, Van Coke Kartel & Gerald Clark, Vusi Mahlasela, Wrestlerish, Zebra & Giraffe |
| 2010 | 6–8 August | Sexy. Crooked. Teeth | Billy Talent, Cortina Whiplash, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Flash Republic, Gemma Ray (UK), Gordon's Suitcase, Hot Water, Jack Parow, Les Javan & Nonspkesifie, Lucky Fonz III (NL), Mind Assault, Pestroy, Philadelphia Grand Jury (AU), Prime Circle, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Schalk Joubert, Sisqó, Southern Gypsy Queen, Straatligkinders, Taxi Violence, The Narrow, Van Coke Kartel, Wrestlerish, Zebra & Giraffe |
| 2011 | 5–7 August | "Unknown Brother" | Bittereinder, Black Hotels, Dan Patlansky, David Kramer, Desmond & the Tutus, Die Antwoord, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Fuzigish, GoodLuck, Harpdog Frost, Hot Water, Isochronous, Jax Panik, Josie Field, Karen Zoid, Lark, Michelle Shocked, Mr Cat & The Jackal, Not My Dog, Oros in 'n Lang Glas, Red Huxley, Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Sisqó, Southern Gypsy Queen, Sum 41, The Used, Tidal Waves, Van Coke Kartel, Wrestlerish, Zebra & Giraffe |
| 2012 | 9–11 August | SWEET\THING | 340ml, aKING, Albert Frost & Friends, Bittereinder, BLK JKS, Buckfever Underground, Bullet for My Valentine, Crystal Park, Desmond & the Tutus, Diplo, Eagles of Death Metal, Enter Shikari, Flash Republic, Fokofpolisiekar, Gert Vlok Nel, Graeme Watkins Project, Jack Parow, Karen Zoid, Knorkator, Kongos, Livy Jeanne & Albert Frost, Newtown Knife Gang, Seether, Shadow Club, Southern Gypsy Queen & Friends, Taxi Violence, Tidal Waves, Valiant Swart, Yoav |
| 2013 | 8–10 August | Bewilderbeast | Albert Frost, Andra, Arno Carstens, Bittereinder, Black Cat Bones, Chris Letcher, Cortina Whiplash, Crashcarburn, Dan Patlansky, Deftones, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Finley Quaye, Fokofpolisiekar, Fuzigish, Gangs of Ballet, Gerald Clark, Jack Parow, Jesse Clegg, Kidofdoom, Koos Kombuis, Laurie Levine, Oros in 'n Lang Glas, Manchester Orchestra, Mango Groove, Pestroy, Red Huxley, Robert DeLong, Short Straw, Shadow Club, Stefan Dixon, Straatligkinders, Tailor, The Narrow, Toya Delazy, Yellowcard |
| 2014 | 7–9 August | Odyssey | aKING, Albert Frost & Dan Patlansky, Aloe Blacc, Ard Matthews, Birth of Joy (NL), Bittereinder, Boargazm, Bright Lights Big City, Cassper Nyovest, Cat Power, Editors, Gangs of Ballet, Gert Vlok Nel, Grassy Spark, Holly & The Woods, Hugh Masekela & Ollie Viljoen, Man As Machine, Matthew Mole, Mr Cat and the Jackal, Newtown Knife Gang, Rival Sons (US), Sarah Blasko (AU), Schalk Joubert Band, Shortstraw, Spoek Mathambo, Springbok Nude Girls, Squeal, Tatran (IL), Taxi Violence, The Fake Leather Blues Band, The Fishwives, The Inspector Cluzo (FR), Urban Creep, Valiant Swart & Friends, Van Coke Kartel, Willy Mason (US), Wolfmother (AU), Wonderboom, Wrestlerish, Zebra & Giraffe |
| 2015 | 7–9 August | The Fantastic Mr. Vos Vos | Gogol Bordello, Johnny Clegg, Livingstone, Brand New, Twin Atlantic, The Parlotones, Francois Van Coke, Karen Zoid, aKING, Tweak, Felix Laband, ShortStraw, Crystal Park |
| 2016 | 5–7 August | The Unsea | August Burns Red, Yelawolf, KONGOS, Prime Circle, Bittereinder, Boargazm, Jack Parow, Newtown Knife Gang, Scarlotte Will, Wonderboom, Valiant Swart, Willim Welsyn, Crystal Park, The Lectric Monks |
| 2017 | 5–8 October | Me now, the Mango Picker | Flume (AU), Black Coffee, Two Door Cinema Club (NI), Francois Van Coke, The Naked and Famous (NZ), Mafikizolo, Beatenberg, Desmond and the Tutus, Die Heuwels Fantasties, The Black Cat Bones, Timo Odv, Chunda Munki, Fuzigish, The Muffinz, Nomadic Orchestra, Thor Rixon, Tha Cutt, Easy Freak, Hellcats, 2Lee Stark, The Kiffness, Bouwer Bosch, Martin Rocka and the Sick Shop, The Tazers, Deon Bakkes and the Stolen Horses, Yo Grapes, Adelle Nqeto |
| 2018 | 9–11 August | Nomakanjani | Bad Peter, BLK JKS, Cockles, Crashcarburn, Die Horries, Die See, DJ Bob, Fokofpolisiekar, Frame Janko, Good Luck, Hellcats, Kwesta, Ohgod, Retro Dizzy, SDO, Sho Madjozi, Silvaback & the Midnight, Southern Wild, Spoegwolf, Stiff Pap, Stoker, Strait-Jackal, Sun Xa Experiment, The Barbosa Experience, The Black Cat Bones, Trancemicsoul, Van Pletzen, Vulvodynia, Wonderboom, #SOZLOL |
Easter Festivals :
| Year | Name |
| 1998 | African Savannas Easter |
| 1999 | Ontlont! |
| 2000 | How's Your Mother? |
| 2001 | Patrolliehond |
| 2002 | Willie Smit |
| 2003 | If Not Tomorrow, Then The Next Day |
| 2004 | Oppikoppi 10: You Check The Level, The Level Is Fine With Me |
| 2005 | Dust on My Meerkat |
| 2006 | Haat My Want Ek Vrees My Hasie |
| 2007 | More Than Somewhat |
| 2008 | VMMIJDKWMKAHOID’nAPMWEMP |
| 2009 | Strictly Come Twakkie (Not quite Easter festival) |
Other Festivals :
| Year | Name | Occasion |
| 1995 | New Year's Bushveld Jol | New Year's Eve |
| 1996 | Moerrit Boetie New Year's Jol | New Year's Eve |
| 1997 | Inni Tanne New Year's Jol | New Year's Eve |
| 2003 | Beetroot | – |
| 2012 | One Night in Cape Town | Cape Town leg of Oppikoppi featuring headlining performers |
| 2013 | One Night in Cape Town | Cape Town leg of Oppikoppi featuring headlining performers |
| 2013 | Post aKOPPIlyptic Punk Picnic | Billy Talent performance |
| 2014 | Original Voices | Cape Town leg of Oppikoppi featuring international performers |
| 2014 | One Night in Cape Town | Cape Town leg of Oppikoppi featuring headlining performers |