ULTRA South Africa Survival Guide: Top 5 Need-To-Knows
This weekend is about to heat up with ULTRA in the mix. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in South Africa, its Friday leg in Cape Town and Saturday show in Joburg are bound to blow your mind. But, raving is a serious business and you need to be prepared. So, herewith your ultimate ULTRA survival guide:
1. Getting Ready: Fashion Tips
ULTRA South Africa is a full-day, electronic music festival. Wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that you can dance in for the whole night, is essential. Whilst the dress code is open for interpretation, remember that this is a festival, so don’t be afraid to go all out. Recent festival trends include: Corset tops, sheer items, chunky boots, beaded or tassled hems, anything that sparkles, leather jackets or pants, denim jorts or animal prints. Basically anything and everything, so get creative with what is already in your cupboard.
Men, shorts and button-ups are festival classics. Get artsy with your own glitter or jewels. We also love a floral print moment for you!
Pinterest’s Festival Hairstyles are experimental and we love it! A bandana is a sure bet whilst braids, messy buns and cute clips are a firm festival favourite this year. Furthermore, nail inspiration includes colour and bling, with each finger a different shade of awesome. Go crazy with the nail art too — the bigger, the better!
Lastly, your festival make-up wants to be glitter-based and bejewelled! Bring in some bright colours with your eyeshadow matching your outfit and turn up the heat with colourful gemstones and glitter on your cheekbones.
2. Packing Your ULTRA Bag: The Essentials
While the event is hosted in the cooler month of May, the Sunny South didn’t earn its name for nothing. So, in your bag, sunscreen is a must. Also remember a fashionable sunhat and some glamorous-looking sunglasses too.
Additionally, we suggest packing some emergency hand sanitiser or wet wipes as spilt drinks are often very sticky. Food and drinks cannot be brought in, but there are plenty of vendors who will be on hand for a snack, bottle of water or boozy beverage.
Also, a lifesaver for us is a mini flashlight to help navigate your way in the dark without draining your phone’s battery. That reminds us of a portable charger (and make sure that it is fully charged!) Lip gloss, lipstick, mascara and nose powder are also essential to ensure you make it through the 12-hour festival looking fabulous. And, make sure you have airtime on your phone and enough data in case you lose your friends or if there’s an unforeseen emergency.
3. Arrive in Style: Transport Dos & Don’ts
ULTRA South Africa is expecting a massive turnout. Therefore, parking will be tough and lines will be long.
Cape Town
To avoid high traffic, ULTRA advises arriving at Cape Town’s The Ostrich before 16:00. Gates open at 14:00, with peak traffic to be expected between 17:00 and 20:00. Remember, the venue can only be accessed via the Cape Farms Access Road. Parking is permitted inside the event at R50 per car. Alternatively, Ubers have one designated drop-off zone.
Johannesburg
ULTRA advises arriving at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre before 16:30. Gates open at 14:00, with peak traffic to be expected between 17:00 and 20:00. This venue can only be accessed via the Rand Show Road Off Ramp (M79) or the Nasrec Road Off Ramp.
While drop-off zones will be plentiful, only authorised persons with tickets will be allowed in the spaces near the venue. Hence, this might mean that you will have some walking to do from where your Uber drops you off. If you are driving, there will be ample parking inside at R50 per vehicle. But, remember: Save a life and don’t drink and drive.
If you are part of the Park & Ride scheme, there will be departure points from Clearwater Mall, Cresta Shopping Centre, East Rand Mall, Gold Reef City, Greenstone Shopping Centre, Mall of Africa, Melrose Arch, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Montecasino and The Glen. Buses will depart from these points at 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00, returning at 22:00, 00:00 and 02:00.
4. Standing in Queue: Festival Admin
Repeat after us: Ticket, ID, Wristband.
Make sure your ULTRA South Africa tickets are downloaded on your phone as signal can be a little bit tricky. If you haven’t bought them yet, we suggest doing so ASAP. Tier 3 General Access tickets are going for R1150, whilst VIP packages start from R3500.
Also, remember that ULTRA South Africa is strictly for 18-year-olds and older. Therefore, valid proof of identification will be required upon entry. Acceptable forms of identification include an official ID book or card and a valid driver’s license or passport. Student cards, birth certificates, learner’s licenses or photocopies of any identification documents won’t be accepted.
Furthermore, ULTRA South Africa is a cashless event. So, they’ll be making use of wristbands as your method of payment for food and drinks. You will receive this wristband upon entry and can either top it up via Howler or at a Top-Up Station at the event.
5. Once You’re In: Performers & Stages
Now, it is time to have fun! Both Cape Town and Joburg will have two stages: Main and Resistance. However, Johannesburg will also have an additional two stages: The Grove Room and The Clubhouse.
Main Stage will feature headliners such as Dutch electronic music luminary, Armin van Buuren; hard-trap virtuoso, ISOxo; genre-defying songwriter/DJ/producer, KSHMR; and internationally renowned Martin Garrix.
Resistance Stage will see a world-class roster of underground headliners. These include melodic techno maestro, Massano; Italian brother duo, Mind Against; and South African music legend, Shimza.
Additionally, supporting acts include Gil Glaze, Culoe de Song, Da Capo, DBN GOGO, DJ Lag, Dlala Thukzin, Fiona Kraft, Herdroom, Kabza de Small, Maphorisa, Mörda, Oscar Mbo, Sona, Vigro Deep and many more.
Joburg’s Groove Room will host South African amapiano and afrobeat legends. Expect to see Kabza De Small, Maphorisa, DBN GOGO, Dlala Thukzin, Oscar Mbo, DJ Lag, 2wo Bunnies, Mörda, Thakzin, Vigro Deep, Omagoqa, Lelowhatsgood and more.
Last, but not least, the Clubhouse Stage will boast an intimate space for underground sounds and artists. You’ll hear beats from the likes of Jevan Binder, Shamiso, Da Capo, Kasango, Mpho.Wav, Darque, Tristan Urwin, A.ND, Son of Dennis and Buhle.
So, that’s your complete survival guide to ensure your ULTRA South Africa experience is nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy!
