For all the party-goers that have had to survive through an extra-long and cold winter, springtime brings with it an added bonus: festival season. As the air slowly starts to warm up and the days start to get longer, festival season gets into full swing, bringing with it a host of options for the discerning reveller.

Festival season is as varied and colourful as the flowers that start to bloom at this time of year. For those of you who may feel intimidated by the amount of parties on offer, here is a list of five festivals MatieMedia has compiled in order to help you make the most of the festivities:

Rocking the Daisies

No festival list in South Africa would be complete without featuring Rocking the Daisies. Heading into its 13th year, Rocking the Daisies has consistently supplied South African ears with some of the best music the world has to offer.

This year is no different, with Sticky Fingers, Goldlink, Gus Dapperton, and Mura Masa amongst the international headliners. Rocking the Daisies also seeks to promote local talent, and does so once again this year, bringing back South African talents such as Shane Eagle, Diamond Thug, and Desmond and the Tutus, amongst many others.

Zuko Madodonke, a frequent attendee of Rocking the Daisies, says, “Rocking the Daisies is really dope because it’s a lovely place to go and see all sorts of artists that you wouldn’t normally see, all together in the same place. It’s also amazing because no matter what music you’re into, there will be something for you.”

Ticket Price: As one of the more popular festivals of the year, Rocking the Daisies is among the more expensive. Only phase 3 is still available, at R895 a pop. Added to this is a camping ticket, which can range from R195-R6995, depending on how rough/fancy you like to keep it.  

Facilities: Rocking the Daisies is cashless, requiring festival goers to transfer funds onto wristbands which will be provided to them at the festival entrance. Rocking the Daisies has full ablution facilities, ensuring the party people can look their best throughout the duration of the festival.

Location: Darling Cellars, approx. One hour away from Stellenbosch on the N7.

Dates: 5-7 October 2018

Into the Wild

Into the Wild is a series of events designed to help attendees reconnect with nature, according to their website, with the next instalment being Into the Wild | Moon Child.

For those of you who enjoy psychedelic techno, this is a can’t-miss party. With three international guest DJ’s in Jossie Telch, Eartheogen, Coexistand, as well as a stunning location, Into the Wild should prove to be a priority on any serious party calendar.

Ticket Price: Tickets range between R320-R350, depending on what phase ticket you get a hold of. Shuttle Services from either Cape Town or Stellenbosch cost an additional R150.

Facilities: Shuttle services to and from Cape Town as well as Stellenbosch. Food stalls and ablution facilities also available.

Location: Riverside Forest, approx. 50 minutes north of Stellenbosch along the R304.

Dates: 15-16 September 2018

Future Frequency

Any true electronic music fan has to make the journey to Future Frequency at some point in their lives.

Taking place in an old airline hangar facing out onto the runway of the Cape Town International Airport, the low-tech surroundings only help to amplify the high-tech music selection on offer.

With four international headliners, including Fur Coat and Eric Volta, as well as several local supporting acts like B_type and Velly Cekiso, Future Frequency looks set to blow the roof off of the local Electronic scene once again.

Ticket Price: With phase one already sold out, tickets range from R280-R390, depending on which phase you book your ticket in.  

Facilities: With absolutely no parking onsite, Future Frequency is offering shuttles to and from the Sea Point library, departing at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm, and returning on the hour from 8pm onwards. The location is also only 20 minutes away from Cape Town CBD if Uber is your preferred means of transport. Should you wish to drive your own car, you will unfortunately have to park in the airport parking, which can cost upwards of R132 for 4-12 hours. Future Frequency is a meat-free festival, and as such will only be providing vegetarian food at the various food stalls on offer. Ablution facilities and lockers will also be available.

Location: “The Hangar”, Cape Town International Airport. The physical address will be released closer to the event date.

Dates: 22-23 September 2018

Smalltown Beat Presents: Rivers End

Smalltown Beat Presents: Rivers End is an all-round experience, with 13 collectives and three stages, as well as art installations and clothing exhibitions to keep party-goers entertained. The 13 different collectives are involved in almost all aspects of the festival, from stage design to line-up curation, creating a beautiful multicultural environment.

Izabeau Pretorius, a volunteer at Smalltown Beats says, “it’s not just about the party and the music, it’s more about the experience, with art installations in-between the dance floors. They also made it more accessible for everyone, as you have the option to volunteer for a six-hour shift working for the festival, for which you get a free ticket and free meal if chosen. It’s a very community driven festival, with local clothing and goods on sale at stalls. The line-up is also really good.”

The music is as varied as the art on display, with many different genres, from live jazz to electronic on offer to entertain the masses.

Ticket Price: Phase one is already sold out, while phase two and three cost R450 and R550 respectively. There is also an option of a Sunday “funday” ticket at R220. Camping and ablution prices are included in all ticket prices.

Facilities: A wide array of food stalls will be on offer, as well as art and clothing exhibitions. Camping and ablution facilities are also on offer.

Location: Rivers End, Stanford, about an hour and a half from Stellenbosch via the N2 and R43.

Dates: 5-7 October 2018

Organik – Gaian Dream

Happening a week after Rocking the Daisies, Organik’s Gaian Dream is a three-day, two-night festival certain to get your heart racing and your feet dancing.

This year, the festival has opened up a space allowing festival goers to camp right next to their cars. They also cleared out a section of the forest to allow for shaded camping for those not keen on setting up camp next to their vehicles.

Ben Pio, an avid trance festival fan, says the Gaian Dream of 2017 was one of the best experiences he ever had, “All these different people coming together creates this environment of community and good energy, and that just creates such a beautiful vibe.”

Trance lovers will fall in love with this festival, with international artists Avalon and Terrafractyl already confirmed, as well as a host of local talent that is still to be announced.

Surrounded by mountains, with a dam, mountain river, and forest surrounding the festival area, this event promises to reconnect those who attend with nature, in one way or another.

Ticket Price: R380 (limited), with options going up to R550. There is also the option of buying tickets at the gate, with Friday costing R600, Saturday R550, and Sunday R300.

Facilities: Accommodation is available for hire, there is a dam to swim in, and food and clothing stalls will be available. Ablution and camping facilities included in the ticket price.

Location: Near Greyton, about one hour and 30 minutes via the N2 and R406.

Dates: 19-21 October 2018