Four festival highlights from Up The Creek 2017

OBS downpour

Granted battling a tent assemble in the rain and slippery mud is as fun as a bag of brussel sprouts, however, the gloomy weather on Friday added a pleasant communal Woodstock-like vibe to the night’s proceedings. Huddled beneath umbrellas at the bar or at the late night stage (now forced to act as the one and only stage that night, due to it being under cover) with a comforting Life Raft (Sedgwicks OBS & ginger beer) in hand, we danced and moshed to the likes of soulful Gerald Clark, bluesy Dan Patlansky and the gritty Taxi Violence. The rain adding to our parade.

A side of bacon with your Taxi Violence?

Speaking of the Kings of gritty sleaze good ol’ Taxi entertained the media the following morning by cooking up a hangover settling breakfast while introducing their latest track; Grindstone & Captive by Design. Eggs, bacon and new music, I mean! A wonderful addition to any festival I hope to see more bands cooking for their fans - imagine Arno Carstens flipping pancakes or Jeremy Loops tossing quinoa salads. Taxi Violence aim to release a series of EPs throughout 2017. First EP Shape and Form releases on the 13 February.

River revelations

OK, so the rain was nice and all for the Friday night, however, anyone who has been to UTC before will know it is ALL about the river. So, luckily the clouds cleared the following day and by late morning we were looking at a predominantly clear and breezeless day. Perfect conditions to blow some air into your inflatable unicorn and set sail on the Breede. Shout out to the ingenious lilo blow-up stand, R50 a pomp per inflatable #businesswinning.

As I get older I wonder more and more if it’s worth the commute and packing effort, back strain from sleeping on a hard ground and worsening hangovers to attend festivals these days. However, once I’m bobbing around the Breede on a plucky duck listening to a man in a dapper suit play a pink piano, life makes sense again. It is SO worth it and I hope to be attending UTC till I’m old and wrinkly, like many of the attendees still do. It’s just that kind of festival - one you’re never too geriatric for.

Brass me away

By far the best band for me was the Jägermeister Brass Cartel, an act that grabbed our attention and refused to release the grip. Modelled on a brass band concept originally from Germany, this band features a group of talented instrumentalists and dancers that seamlessly medley acoustic versions of local and international classics and current hits. Expertly weaving well-loved favourites such as Mango Groove’s Lucky Star, Nirvana’s Teen Spirit, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Beyonce’s Crazy in Love, Goldfish, Johnny Clegg and many more. It was infectiously happy-making and so skilled.

Rocking since the early 90s Up the Creek you just get better and better with age! See you next year.

www.upthecreek.co.za