28/12/2016
OppiKoppi News
Hoessit everyone
A quick bit of info from the trenches whilst there is a conversation in the air about the festival. As you may have heard or read, this past year has been very tricky on the Hilltoplive/OppiKoppi team. Largely due to the rand/dollar we had to cancel Ramfest, park a few other projects and took a big hit on the OppiKoppi festival itself. Not a nice year for live music in SA in general, and one that left quite a hole in our pockets. (And quite a few other SA promoters/festivals).
Thankfully in the last 23 years we have been through sticky situations like these before and the organizers are fully committed to the festival and the greater Hilltoplive activities. For many years to come. OppiKoppi and Hilltoplive, were created to support artists, build platforms and bring a few days of joy to left of centre laaities from the streets of South Africa. None of that has changed. In fact, it almost feels as if it is more relevant and required now than at any time before.
Also: we are in the lucky position that we can put new cashflow in the business through the sale of our office building (which sounds a bit more dramatic than it is, we were planning to do this anyway and this decision was just drawn forward.). So although there are a batch of artists/service providers whom are owed money, each one has been spoken to and mostly there is just an overwhelming sense of pragmatic goodwill out there – just get it cleaned up, and let’s move on. It is humbling to see how big a roll the festival plays in many people’s lives and how accommodating people are to help us. This is not something you experience every day (or want to experience) but it really does make you believe in the mission of the festival all over again.
It bears repeating: the OppiKoppi team is really thankful for the support and warm wishes during these days in the trenches.
On another note: of course there are bands/artists who are annoyed/frustrated, and they have every right to be. And although we are thankful for the support, this is not an us versus them situation, we are all in this together. Our successes are bound together.
That was the bad news, now for the silver tequila lining:
The entire Hilltoplive team has been restructured, cleaned up and set up as a very lean set of companies for the new year. (Hence the open head office building which can be rented/sold). Lots of new angles and exciting things ahead of us in all directions.
Which touches on the even better news: during early December, we signed a memorandum of understanding for a big new chapter in the OppiKoppi / Hilltoplive story. We have in principle agreed to take on funding from a team of investors. We think the new move can really future proof the OppiKoppi festival and add lots of other value (For us, but also for many other entities and artists in SA). More info on this in the new year.
So with all of that said, 2016 was a messy year for many people (and us) and one that we would probably not want over again. But it was also a game changing year and in a very real way the end of one era and the start of another for the team. It is uncanny how things sometimes just flow together and decisions take themselves.
We are very excited about the prospects for the new year, and some of the opportunities we think we can bring into existence with the new support. Original alternative live music was what we fought for since 1994. We think we may have found a way to stretch the game for another few very loud decades.
Thanks again for everyone on this ride with us (fans, bands, crew, family and other assorted hooligans.)
In dust (and rock ‘n roll) we trust.
” And if you say Rum
I will Rum with you!”
The OppiKoppi Crew
PS: If there are queries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Carel Hoffmann – [email protected] / 0826538538 - CEO
Misha Loots – [email protected] / 0832582595 – OppiKoppi Festival Director
Tony Groenewald – [email protected] / 0823357330 - - Hilltoplive General Manager
