October 5, 2008
Random Thoughts And Pictures.
So my body is sore, I’m sweaty and dirty, and I have a funny taste in my mouth.
Usually, this means that I’ve just completed a solid stint in the bedroom or on the lounge floor, possibly the spare room on the wooden desk – but on this occasion it’s because I’ve just come home from the Rocking the Daisies music festival in Darling, you know, the one that’s been advertised all over the media.
In it’s third year now, the event has become bigger and bigger since it’s earlier days, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, as the amount of wankers they let in this year definitely saw a sharp increase to that of previous events.
Yes, I know I’m being bitchy, I’m in a bit of a mood right now, I’ll tell you why later in the week.
So without further ado then, here with some random pics and general musings:
Is This A Celine Dion Concert? No, It's The Queue For Rocking The Daisies.
Even though we rocked up late on Saturday afternoon, the queue still resembled a disaster movie scene – where you have a dense mass of urban dwellers, fleeing the city at the news that a giant nuclear-reactive lizard was about to descend upon them. Some people weren’t sure if the dirt road was a single or double lane, and it eventually became a free-for-all, with Toyotas, BMW’s and Peugeots all fighting it out to get to the front as quickly as possible. To add to the confusion, there was a strange bearded man on the main road, waving off motorists and telling them that tickets were sold out and that they should turn around. Obviously he was lying, and usually this would have lead me to turn around and beat him with the velvet slipper I keep in my boot, but by this time we were all tired and cranky and just wanted to get inside and roll around in the mud.
Eventually, once we got inside, we had the opportunity to take some more pics and videos, as the following clearly shows.
The Main Area was pretty chilled at first, before filling up and then becoming a f**king nightmare as people jostled for space. Dirty words were used, fists were thrown, and reputations were sullied.
There were plenty of stalls with things like food, caps and other clothing accessories - sold by hippies and people who had excess food, caps and other clothing accessories.
Hey man, the 90's just called, and asked if they could have their green jeans back. Thanks.
Hey chick, I just got an sms from your mom, wanting to know where her dish cloth has disappeared to?
So that was pretty much Rocking the Daisies in a nutshell. It was cold and windy, loud, muddy and very, very full. This was the first time I attended (after lying about going the previous year) but judging by the comments of many of the patrons, last year seemed to be much better. Perhaps it was due to the increase in the crowds and thus the decrease in space, or maybe it was the kak weather, but most of the people I spoke to were kind of over it by Saturday evening.
Maybe this should be moved up to the warmer Summer month’s in future? Maybe it should be limited to a certain number of people? (Apparently there were 12 000 on Saturday) Something for the organisers to consider in future then.
Anyhoo, I’m going to sleep now. Good night.
If you enjoyed this, you will probably like:
- Rocking The Daisies 2007
- Rocking The Daisies Organisers Release Statement
- Buy Tickets To Rocking The Daisies This Weekend
- Friday Feel Good Jams #10
- Just When You Think It Can’t Get Any Worse…
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Agrreed, too many people let in this year. Friday was a massive fuckup and we didn’t even get to see the Dirty Skirts play because of the long queues trying to get in.
oaks (not Shaun) got greedy, too many tickets were sold, NO effort was put into service.
I have gone every year, next year will be spent in Cape Town enjoying my own toilet and cold beer.
Hidious
My personal opinion? Crock of shit. No thought or forward planning seemed to have been made. Didn’t use the toilets but heard they were horrendous. Sun was shining, but all in all rather dull. Think I’ll walk back and forth from the dance tent to the main stage in the bitter cold and mud? Huh? Think again.
Keep it small, get innovative and move to the summer months. Or move out and let somebody else do it. Corporates.
I don’t agree, I had an awesome time. This was the first time I went so can’t comment on the ones before but. But even after the queue, (which wasn’t very long for me coz I arrived early … a bit of forward thinking there) the scary toilets, and the expensive food I still had an amazing time. The music was great and the vibe was good perfect. And I didn’t have to get completely pissed to get from this opinion.
So all in all a great weekend, I enjoyed myself. Buy hey maybe that’s just coz I don’t have a great big stick up my ass.
@Nash – Agreed, I think the marketing for the event was good, the actual running of it was a major letdown.
@Crystal – I will remove the big stick from my ass and give you a hiding with it. Cheeky blighter.
FINALLY! been scouring the net since Monday for an honest, critical review of the fest and this is the closest yet. Except I’d go a step further. Not only was the fest organisation a fuckup of monumental proportions, but the entire point seems to have gone begging. I completely agree: Cap tickets at 6000 and that’s it. SOLD OUT. THEN get more toilets than you had last year. ON THE FRIDAY. Then get more security. Cost? No problem… I’m sure people will pay and extra fifty for premium quality organisation. Rocking The Daisies is now a cash cow for whomever, and as long as it stays that way, I’ll be staying at home.
@Bossman – Agree with you – cap it at 6000, and if you miss out, sorry for you.
Bangers and Nash also gave it quite an honest RTD review – see http://tinyurl.com/4etcqg
It sucked big time for the stallholders. Organisers showed disrepect for our efforts and humanrights. Showers, lighting did not exist. Toilets were a health hazard. The position of the stalls was such that the public was not aware of their existence. Having been there last year, this year was a grave dissapointment. Many of us were particularly concerned about the proliferation of narcotics and the abuse of it by young teenagers. Having gone there to support local live music, I felt let down by the fact that there was trance music and that the trance area was positioned in between our stalls and the stage.
Oh come now, there was mud everywhere due to the highest rainfall in the area in years. Where else would they have put u? In the dam? People have been so negative about what was an awesome spring festival.
It was lovely.. bring your own food, poop in the fields, pack ice in yer cooler, and squish your toes in the mud. Arrive early, set up camp avoid the mud or roll in it, and leave your bad vibes at the gate, or at home preferably. It is not a club in town, with tiles and aircons. It is not about porcelain sinks, and catering to pedantically set expectations, LIGHTS? its outdoors. Generate your own lights if it is that important. It was set up differently to last year, and by the looks of it it was an effort of improvement, sometimes people just do not want to by stuff. I am sure next year will be different, and there will be new ‘obstacles ‘ to sort for the next again year. Yes there were alot of younger kids there this year, but what can you do?
Frankly i quite enjoyed the music, the weather, the electronic dance floor, the stalls the mud, the walk to the camp, downing beer at security, and no i don’t drink alot, the ice cold dam water and everything else. live and let live.