If there is one thing Oskido knows how to do; it is gathering us (Ma1K) together to take us on a trip down memory lane. This past weekend, I finally attended Oskido’s Big Day Out , a sanctuary for those of us who grew up on the basslines of Kwaito and old skool house music.
The Big Day Outside
I have to give Oskido his flowers for the logistics. Days before the event there was heavy rain, many of us were expecting a muddy disaster. But walking in to find the grass covered in straw was a masterstroke. It was such a thoughtful touch and it gave the venue a rustic, grounded feel and kept our footwear intact while we moved to the sounds of our youth.
The set up was also so bright, and beautiful. Mimicked a carnival for the grown and sexy. This also allowed you to be dressed in your finest, and brightest. I wore my famous flower shorts, just for control. The weather allowed. He also had a marque as a back up, in case the heavy rain made a comeback.
The Legends Who Raised Us
The stage was a living archive of the 90’s and early 2000’s. When we got there, DJ Fresh was on stage. His set had us on our feet throughout, he performed with a choir and also paid tribute to the late Thabiso. Up next was Kabza, who brought it back to the present. If there’s one thing about Amapiano, you cannot ignore it is a force to be reckoned with. His set reminded us that old skool is cool, but so is Amapiano.
Then entered Zola. I hope he knows how much of a legend he is, I hope he witnessed it that night and what he saw still lingers in his memory. For me, he had the crowd eating out of his hands with songs like Ghetto Scandalous, Don’t Cry, and Mdlwembe. He even brought out Brown Dash’s son when he performed Phansi Komthunzi Welanga.
Other artists whose sets I enjoyed included DJ Cleo, Revolution, Malaika, and the man of the moment, Oskido. He gave us one of the most memorable sets with songs like Mujava Naja, that had us twerking. Whoever was seated behind us, you’re welcome! Oskido also shared the decks with DJ Zinhle, who did not perform during her set time.
The Missing Voices and Flavors
As I stood there taking it all in, I couldn’t ignore the imbalance. As much as I respect the legends, it was hard not to notice that the lineup was predominantly male. In 2025, with so much incredible female talent that helped shape our musical landscape, the lack of feminine energy on that stage felt like a missed opportunity. We were there, in the crowd, supporting and vibing, but our presence wasn’t fully reflected in the program. And there are many legendary female artists and DJ’s; DJ Cndo, Chomme, Andile, Nokwazi, Bucie, Portia Monique, Khanyo… Hopefully they take head of this in 2026.
And then, there was the matter of the menu. It is becoming increasingly frustrating to attend these high-tier events only to find that vegetarian food is still an afterthought. Or in this case, non-existent. We settled for popcorn, and called it a night.
Final Notes
Oskido’s Big Day Out was a beautiful reunion, a testament to the staying power of Kwaito and House. But it also served as a reminder that as we celebrate our current “Big Days”, whatever that means for you, nostalgia will always win. Seeing TKZee and Zola take us back reminded me of a time when the music carried our dreams. When DJ Cleo and Revolution touched the decks, you could feel the collective joy of a generation that still knows how to move. It was pure, unadulterated nostalgia.
Who did you enjoy? And who do you wish was on the line up?
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