Hill Worshippers: Tricks of the trade from Oppikoppie ou toppies

30 July 2014 - 02:00 By Yolisa Mkele
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Oppikoppi wristbands. File photo.
Oppikoppi wristbands. File photo.
Image: Nikita Ramkissoon

For nigh on two decades, the swirling dustbowl that is Oppikoppi has been bringing together a myriad of South Africans who wish to pit their standards of personal hygiene against their lust for a good time.

Next weekend the music festival will gather a horde of more than 20000 keen on squeezing as much fun as they can out of the three-day bacchanal, featuring some heavy-hitting international acts as well as the best musicians in the country.

The lunacy, dust and speakers can often overwhelm the uninitiated. Preparation is key, so The Times's veterans have tips for novice prawns, a nickname for Oppikoppi campers.

Tent mate

There are a few things one needs when going to camp at a music festival: plenty of cash to buy booze (who needs to eat?), a tent, wet wipes, a sleeping bag and a good tent mate.

Sure, the whole point of going to a music festival is to spend as little time as possible in your tent, but you also don't want the short time spent in your tent to be weird.

I once made the mistake of going to a music festival with a good friend who turned out to be a terrible tent mate. Why? He brought along his girlfriend and when it was time to hit the sack, they thought they could do "couple things" in my presence. You don't want to be stuck in a tent on a cold night with two people wrapped around each other like vines. It's awkward.

Pearl Boshomane

Sound and sleep

A good hat, comfortable shoes and a water bottle are good ideas, but equally important are silicone earplugs and a soft, fleece beanie. There are those of us who can no longer induce sleep with booze and the silicone plugs can be moulded into the ear quite comfortably to cut noise. Pull the beanie over your ears and eyes, cutting out more noise and the early morning light.

John Hogg

Shades

The most essential item to pack is a pair of oversized sunglasses. Sunglasses have uses way beyond the mere shielding of eyes from vicious festival rays. They protect the face from all manner of airborne matter, camouflage all signs of overindulgence, hide smudged mascara and provide a great excuse when you're caught out by an old acquaintance you pretended not to see.

Andrea Nagel

All in the mind

Oppikoppi requires a bit of mental preparation.

Expect to overdo things. If you go with the attitude of "I'll try take it easy this year", you will be adding emotional pain to your hangover when you break that promise. Prepare not only for great music, crazy times and meeting quirky people, but also for misbehaving. That's what it's all about.

Dominic Skelton

  • Oppikoppi is on from August 7 to August 9. Visit www.oppikoppie.co.za
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