Up the Creek Music Festival is held on the outskirts of Swellendam.
Provided by/Henry Engelbrecht
- The Up the Creek Music Festival opened on Thursday at the Breed River in the Western Cape near Swellendam.
- After a three-year hiatus, tickets sold out days before the festival.
- The event has always been considered a relatively intimate event, with only 2,500 attendees.
After a three-year hiatus, Up the Creek Music Festival returns to the Breed River in the Western Cape and opens on Thursday.
The festival runs until Sunday and is held on the outskirts of Swellendam.
Returning from a break, the event sold out days before the festival.
The event has always been considered a relatively intimate event, with only 2,500 attendees.
Featuring a diverse cast of local artists including Jeremy Loops, The Dirty Skirts, BCUC, Springbok Nude Girls and Crudink.
The four-day event features four stages, one of which is set on the banks of the Breed River, where attendees can watch the show while swimming or floating on an inflatable lilo. The festival also offers other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in between musical performances.
“Creekers, our regulars, our loyal supporters, really miss our annual pilgrimage to the Breed River. For many of our teams and crews, it's a family reunion each year. It’s like a reunion,” said Caitlin Hanley of the festival. director.
“We're excited to be back and I know our participants and the public are really excited to be back,” she added.
“Up the Creek is completely different from other festivals. The intimacy here is amazing. It feels like everyone is part of the puzzle,” she continued.
As for what attendees can expect, she said:
They can expect to lounge on a lilo in the river all day while enjoying music from a stage on the riverbank.
“They can enjoy great food options in our food court. They can enjoy the camaraderie among like-minded people who like some kind of South African live music and are here. Masu.”
“I think they can look forward to a weekend in the great outdoors surrounded by really kind people,” she added.
Up the Creek's goal of highlighting local music is also central to the festival.
Read | See Jeremy Loops, Dirty Skirts, BCUC and more at Up the Creek Music Festival
“I know bands are always proud to play Up the Creek. For a lot of bands, Up the Creek is a real platform, a jumping off point.” she said.
He also said participants should prepare for hot weather by bringing sunscreen, hats and ice. You can also bring your own food and drinks if you wish.
Considered one of South Africa's longest running music festivals, Up the Creek's first event was held in 1990. It started when festival co-founder Annie Soden threw a surprise birthday party for her partner at his Up the Creek camp.
100 guests gathered and the celebration lasted for three days, complete with musical performances.
Ahead of the festival, musician Jeremy Lupus and Breakout Events founder Damon Forbes announced a buy-in partnership for the festival. The festival is also sponsored by Jose Cuervo.
“Up the Creek has had some of the most unforgettable performances and I’m thrilled to be joining the festival team,” Loops said in a statement at the time.
“This is more than just a festival to me, it is a proud South African gathering where one of the country's most picturesque rivers meets top local talent,” he added.
Lupus also posted about the event on his social media, sharing his fond memories of the festival.
“Looking forward to our first show of 2024 this weekend at @upthecreek_festival! Get our lilo, get our music, and y'all bring the energy,” he wrote on Instagram wrote.
SA band Springbok Nude Girls also posted about the event.
“Springbok Nude Girls are ready and fired up to take to the main stage with the horns of Up the Creek 2024. Dust rises to the band’s trademark Sucker Punch sound. Let’s kick the Devil in the nuts,” the band’s post reads. Instagram.