The gift of Christmas comes once a year. However, Rocking the Daisies is so good, it has to happen twice. South Africa’s biggest music and lifestyle festival returned after weather-related delays forced a postponement from October to November. Cape Town and Johannesburg were blessed with the presence of some of the globe’s best international acts. If attendance is any indicator, Rocking The Daisies feeds an appetite no other music festival can.
This year’s edition of #JWxRTD, brought to you by Steyn Entertainment and Johnnie Walker, surpassed all expectations. Festival-goers gained access to yet another unforgettable experience filled with sensational performances and activations from Kit Kat, Spotify, Klipdrift, and Converse.
#JWxRTD featured an impressive line-up packed with a blend of genres, catering to diverse musical tastes. Rocking the Daisies’ two-legged format produces abundant yet colourful insights amongst festival goers in both cities. Are you unsure which leg of the festival to attend next year? Here’s a quick run-down of what to expect.
The gloriously spacious land of the Cloof Wine Estate has been Rocking the Daisies’ home turf since the beginning. The stunning golden-hour hue and the mountain’s cooling breeze made camping a calming experience. Whether in a one-person tent or a luxury tent suite, the team prioritised safety through on-site medical staff. Have a knot in your neck or feeling dehydrated? Complimentary massages and water points were abundant.
There’s no shortage of activities to choose from to pass the time, thanks to this year’s generous sponsors. From the Converse Skate ramp to Spotify’s “Blend Date” playlist tool, the hours can fly by as quickly as you can blink. These activities, amongst many, enhanced this year’s festivities, thoroughly preparing the music lovers for the main attraction.
House lovers got to experience Morda; Sun-El Musician; K-Mat, Pcee, Justin99 and many more. The star-studded local line-up also included Focalistic, Ch’cco, Pabi Cooper, MJ, and Ami Faku. Furthermore, fans went crazy singing line-by-line, dancing step-by-step to their favourite jams.
The Heineken stage turned up the heat with hip-hop acts like Wordz, Tyson Sybateli, Mashbeatz, K.Keed, and SimulationRxps. Dee Koala elevated her set by adding a live band element, showcasing her versatility and love for music. Consequently, hip-hop receives a necessary boost when it is on stages like these. Local acts have the same potential as international artists, and the Heineken Stage proved this in real-time.
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Under the vicious Johannesburg sun, music fans poured into Centurion’s Supersport Park Cricket Stadium for soulful solos and rugged raps. The Johannesburg leg attracts seasoned and aspirant rockers ready to celebrate all through the night. This year’s attendees were equal parts fans of the music and fans of the Rocking the Daisies brand, a testament to its consistency and lastingness.
Early arrivals witnessed the radical artistry of psychedelic R&B songstress Greentea Peng, who breezed through her set effortlessly. Since reaching 18 million views on A Colors Show’s YouTube channel, her performance of the single ‘Downers’ captured hearts worldwide. She intoxicated the crowd with a sultry two-step while executing her message of freedom and fortune. She was succeeded by a swarm of American East Coast and West Coast-born rappers who were excited to perform for the first time on the continent. Westside Boogie, Denzel Curry, Bas, and JID delivered high-energy performances consistent with their rap star image. Nevertheless, they brought their savour into the festival ether, cementing Dreamville and hip-hop’s command on South Africa’s heart.
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UK grime rapper Stormzy filled the stage with his stature during his headlining set. By that time of the night, the stadium brimmed with roaring fans, itching to witness his multi-award-winning star power. The energy in and of his explosive tracks is what I believe has fans flocking to him globally. Stormzy knows how to please his crowd, even if it means he is a topless tease. Nevertheless, behind the bravado and the pyrotechnics, he shared his heart with us from start to finish. Whether you want to open a mosh pit or bring your partner close, Stormzy truly embodied the popular proverb, “Here for a good time not a long time.” What a good time it was!
Rocking the Daisies’ #34 rank on Billboard’s 50 Best Festivals Of 2022 testifies to its reputation and potential. Unquestionably, I’ve always believed that South Africa’s appetite for a good time is insatiable, and the turnout confirmed that. YoMzansi, one of the country’s most influential culture platforms, ranked Daisies as South Africa’s #1 annual festival in 2022. Hence, it is easy to see the endless possibilities that come from the commitment to show love to our own. Thus, if you are looking for a festival to patronise, Rocking the Daisies is a good start. It won’t take you long to feel at home.
