Riky Rick’s COTTON FEST Returns
Cotton Fest (the organization) hosted its first festival in 2019. As a newcomer to the festival circuit, COTTON FEST (the festival) was a mighty feat and great win for the culture and zeitgeist of hip-hop in South Africa. After a year away, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the festival makes a grand return with its 3rd annual event set to take place in March 2022 in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The theme for 2022 is "university and campus" accompanied by a COTTON FEST campus, a multi-layered university campus experience including a concert, merch, cafeteria, sporting area and “student” storage lockers.
With the return of the class of COTTON FEST 2019 and the sophomores from 2020, together with the freshmen of 2022, it’s almost time for the graduation of the Class of 2022 at The University of COTTON FEST.
Cotton Fest is known for its integration of established and novice South African talent, more so its commitment to highlighting diversity in music and closing the gaps between different social movements. This year, the festival returns as a 2-day experience with acts set to perform across 3 stages from 19-20 March 2022.
THE CONCERT: The COTTON STAGE will feature headline and legacy artists. The Bettr STAGE will feature the new wave of young talent. The Jägermeister STAGE will bring the best nights featuring house and electronic talent, alongside some of the biggest names in the amapiano scene right now.
In addition to bridging the gap between musicians at different levels of their careers, Cotton Fest celebrates the different elements of lifestyle, namely fashion and sport. Elements of The University of COTTON FEST include a half-court for basketball fans, a skating ramp for skating enthusiasts, fashion stalls, a food court, photo booths, R&R areas, and more.
“Following the past 20 months that we have all lived through, we are humbled to be back yet again make an impact in the entertainment industry. With the huge support and backing from artists from around the country, we are ready to kickstart the road back to normality in a positive way, and get the Creator Economy going again” says founder, Riky Rick, “With the industry currently flipped on its head, Cotton Fest, together with exciting partners hope to bring together the industry, and celebrate the graduation of the first class from the University of Cotton Fest 2022.”
This year, the University of COTTON FEST 2022 partnered with Bettr.app, Africa’s first digital banking app for creators, by creators, PUMA, Jägermeister, and YFM.
Details
In line with current government regulation, tickets will be limited to 2000 per day.
To ensure the safety of everyone attending the festival, ALL festival attendees – including all staff, partners and performing artists – will need one of the following to gain access into the venue:
Provide a personal fully vaccinated certificate (either printed or online)
Provide a negative PCR test, if only vaccinated with one dose, done within 48 hours of the festival (either printed or online)
Do an on-site Rapid Antigen Covid Test if you have not yet been vaccinated, which is available for R150 at the venue.
Tickets will be on sale at Webtickets and Pick 'n Pay outlets nationwide from 31 January 2022. Options include:
R200 Early Bird - limited tickets available
R275 Day Pass
R500 Weekend Pass
R600 Merch bundle and day pass package