Up the Creek is one of the most anticipated music festivals 
in South Africa.
This year the three-day party will be held from 4 – 6 February at the campsite near the Breede River in Swellendam. For an extra R100 revellers can come along on Thursday, 3 February for what the organisers call a “chilled out preview gig”.
The extra money is worth it not only for the added entertainment, but also because it gives you a chance to pick your camping spot before the hordes (over 2000 people are expected) arrive.
Following the successful formula of previous Up the Creek events there will be three separate stages: the main stage, river stage and all-night-long bar stage (where the chilled out preview will take place). To ensure that everyone gets the chance to see all the acts only one stage will be in use at any given time.
Aside from the music from some of South Africa’s favourite bands, the highlight of the weekend is the BOS Anything that Floats Competition. The details are in the name.
To enter you have to have something that is capable of floating on the Breede River. You can float a raft with barrels, launch off on an old tyre or even try a chair with helium balloons; the only limit is your imagination. Various prizes will be awarded for best design, most floatable, fastest floater, most luxurious and most romantic float. Prize packages include a BOS cooler bag filled with BOS ice tea, cash and free tickets to Up the Creek 2012.
5fm’s Catherine Grenfell will MC the event and the line-up includes Jack Parow, Flash Republic, Karen Zoid, Dirty Skirts, The Rudamentals and collaborations between aKING and Dave Ferguson; The Wild Eyes and Richard Kapp; and Jack Parow and George from Taxi Violence. Comic relief will be provided by local comedians Nik Rabinowitz, Mark Sampson, Pierrot, and the Flaming A Brigade featuring Ms. Blackie Swart.
If you don’t own a tent or don’t particularly feel the need to pitch it you can book a tent, which will be pitched and ready for you when you arrive. There are two options: basic dome tents for one or two people, and cottage-style tents that come with beds. Other facilities include a medical tent, lifeguards, security guards and a kids’ area. Food vendors provide festival appropriate food, but feel free to bring your own.
The price of tickets depends on whether you’ve booked or are going to pay at the gate. Booked tickets are around R50 cheaper than gate tickets. Tickets for the full weekend cost between R540 and R590; Friday to Sunday between R440 and R490; Saturday and Sunday between R375 and R425; and a day pass for Sunday between R150 and R180.
See the official Up the Creek website for more details.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
