Let me set the record straight – I have never been to Rocking the Daisies. For some strange reason, people think me a veteran of this festival so I just wanted to clarify that I am in fact, far from one. And it’s for this precise reason that I’m quite looking forward to attending a festival that, as far as I can tell from the Capetonian grapevine, gets the most hate from the general festival public.
So RTD has been called many things – McDonalds dressed up as Royale was my favourite – but at the end of the day, is it not more about the music and less about your carbon footprint? I do my bit. I disconnect my phone charger every now and again. Now I’m going to this festival with no ulterior motive. There will be no 5Gum this or Fish Eagle that. Instead, I’ll knot a hippie halo out of the spring dai– okay I’ll stop.
There’s quite a lot going on at the festival between the stages/floors so I’ve taken the liberty of putting together a list of acts that you’re going to want to see.
Friday
Foto na Dans (Main Stage – 19:05). Why? Because their all-round stage performance is always top class, Le Roi’s got a voice you’ll either love or love to hate and I rate guitarist Neil Basson as a musical genius.
RTD All Stars (Main Stage – 20:10). Why? Because it’ll be interesting to see who they consider to be “All Stars”.
Two Minute Puzzle (Nu World Beat Ring – 20:00). Why? Because if the “All Stars” are retarded, you have a backup plan. Also, their debut EP is quite good. And so are their music videos.
Saturday
Mr Sakitumi & The Grrrl (Red Bull Studio Live – 14:00). Why? Because he showed me how, using his iPhone and some random app, he could play his entire set on his cell phone. Madness.
Jeremy Loops (Main Stage – 14:00). Why? Because he’s bound to bring all his buddies onstage for some kickass colabs and I rate him a pop-tart version of Yoav. Speaking of which…
Yoav (Main Stage – 15:05). Why? SAMA Award, check. Loads of international clout, check. Shit hot cover of a Pixies’ track, check. Performance sans shoes, check.
Tumi and the Volume (Main Stage – 17:15). Why? Because you won’t be able to take your eyes off him while he’s performing, his rhymes/rhythms will more than likely leave a lasting effect on you and after all is said and done, you’ll want him to be your friend.
Sibot (Red Bull Studio Live – 22:15). Why? Because when I saw him play at The Assembly before Gaslamp killer, in that masked outfit with hundreds of teddy-bear eyes sewn onto it, I lost my shit on the dance floor.
Band of Skulls (Main Stage – 22:55). Why? Because, in all fairness, they saved RTD’s line-up from being a pretty average one.
Sunday
Shadowclub (Main Stage – 12:00). Why? Because they’re the only band I will drag my half-alive self to watch on the last day of a festival, when all I really want to do is get the hell outta dodge.
Who are you amped to see?
All pics courtesy of Laura McCullagh.
