What a festival. What a glorious, humdinger of a happy-heart festival. Sun-kissed bodies, glitter-splashed faces and feathered festival hair. Tassels, daisy crowns and decorative henna hands. A sea of smiling faces. This was Rocking the Daisies 2017.
Twelve years on, Rocking the Daisies is still one of South Africa’s biggest outdoor music and lifestyle festivals. Kicking off on Thursday 5 October, it was the first time the main stage offered a full lineup of music on the opening night, where over 8,000 people flooded in to listen to Shortstraw, K-$ and DJ Yoda. By the time the event was in full swing on Friday morning, 25,000 fans were exploring the stages, the campsite and the pop-up entertainment, soaking up the vibe for four days of freedom and expression.
Drawing a huge crowd this year was Irish indie rock band Two Door Cinema Club. Combining hits with their newest tracks, their spirited energy had the main stage jamming way into the night. Grammy-winning Australian producer Flume’s experimental, future bass sound was one of the most popular sets of the weekend and his hit single ‘Never Be Like You’ was heard echoing through the fields for hours.
Black Coffee, Fokofpolisiekar, Riky Rick, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Cassper Nyovest were some of the local highlights on the main stage with New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous and American hip-hop artist Joey Bada$$ drawing massive love from the crowds.
This year’s Red Bull Electronic Arena saw the likes of Italian Sam Paganini’s ‘Sexy Groovy Dark Techno’ as well as DJ duo Snakehips and their retro-modern style. The only stage to stay open until 7am on Sunday morning, it was a sure hit with die-hard, party-hard fans.
One of the leading names in techno, the UK’s Patrick Topping played a phenomenal set at the Corona Beach Bar. Packed with thousands of barefoot, bikini-clad fans, his sunset session was a clear highlight of the show.
For those wanting to don snapback’s, hoodies and sneakers, the Trap House presented by VUZU Amp was the place to be. Featuring SA’s hottest hip hop acts, the stage’s set-design was a masterpiece with the live graffiti and video mapping rounding it off. Daytime sets by the likes of DJ Azuhl got the party started and artists like Patty Monroe and Sho Madjozi took the party to new levels. YoungstaCPT’s set was exceptional; it’s no wonder that he’s made a name for himself as one of SA’s top rappers.
Those looking for an escape from the festival life came to razzle, dance, play poker and knock back a fine whisky at Rocking the Daisies’ newest, charismatic stage; The Marabi Club. Revellers listened to the finest jazz, left-field Latin and straight-up Congolese country music. This unique and enchanting space truly transported you to another place and time.
But Daisies isn’t only about the music. There was so much more to explore and many firsts for one of SA’s longest-running festivals. The pop-up karaoke bar had off-key tunes competing with the main stage professionals as fans belted out their favourites. The Silent Disco in one of the festival’s new “interesting spaces”, the Psychedelic Lick stage, had people queuing to get in. The Ray Phiri Tribute was a touching send-off to a music legend.
Other highlights included, Greenpop’s solar-powered Green Village that included talks, laughing yoga and live music; the festival’s own Daisies Cinema, which screened music documentaries and short films 24/7; and more than 50 food, drinks and lifestyle vendors catering for every taste.
The best festivals have the best partners and Rocking the Daisies was amped to work with some awesome brands. M-Net’s competition winners had the time of their lives in the festival’s super glam tented accommodation. Budweiser’s ‘Bud Hotel’ was an insanely cool entertainment zone and Olmeca Tequila and the new TOOK app gave festival-goers a treat with their prizes, instant upgrades and artist meet and greets.
From the line-up to the décor, the cashless integration, app, MC’s and technical design and execution, Steyn Entertainment got it so right – and this is just the beginning.
Across four days, 250 artists and countless experiences and new memories, Rocking the Daisies thanks the fans for the love. And Daisies loves the fans so much that it’s giving one Daisies fan the ultimate prize: one lucky person will win a golden ticket for two for life to Rocking the Daisies! Find out more at @rockingthedaisies on Instagram.
Stay close to #RTD2017 on social media for highlights and photos from this year and news about 2018 tickets. Listen to Rocking the Daisies’ curated playlists on Apple Music here to take the music with you wherever you go.
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