I heard about a last day of the year desert rave party close to swakopmund last year . Does anybody know if next last year's day a new desert party will take place ?

Hi, I don`t know about the rave party (although it sounds great) but Swakopmund is one of the coolest places I`ve been to.

Phil J
moderator

I absolutely agree. Thank Phil for the reply.Best regards Gordon

Dear Gordon, a friend of mine told me about that party and he said it was a terrific experience, but I wasn't able to contatc that friend again, sorry.
Can anyone help us, plz?

hi gordon, just read your message on the web re the desert rave in swakopmund at new year.

i have been desperately trying to get info on this . worked there in March/April and heard about it. so far I believe it is ON & being run by 'Camel' have you managed to find out any more??
I think it will be awesome! the parties in the desert are!!!!

ciao diane nice to hear you.
Unfortunately I have not yet get any news about this misterious rave, but I have a friend who said me he was present in the 2001 edition but actually it is not possible for me to get this friend because he works in Kossovo. As he will back in Italy I'll try to find further informations. Wich kind of work you done in Namibia? I am very enthusiast about this country and sometimes I dream to go there to stay.
About Camel you intended the tobacco company ?
By Gordon

Hey guys! Hear u r interested in the rave in Swakopmund that takes place every year at the same time at the same place. The rave is known to the locals, like me, as Amphies. The name comes from the spot where it takes place. It is in the middle of the dunes, looks almost like a natural Amphytheatre. If you go to Swakop and want to go to Amphies, you wont be able to miss it. There's signs all over the place. Tickets will probably be very expensive - they were N$100.00 last year - but the party is worth it. Thats about all I can tell you guys at the moment. Just pop a question in a email if you want to know more, and I'll try and answer it as best I can!

Wilko - Namibian
wbierb@webmail.co.za

Hey Guys! Amphies is a New Years rave, so it will take place on the 31 December till the next morning. You can start the party at I think about 10am. Thats when the gates open. There is a Beertent and bar, but the booze is very expensive, so take your own. You can also take a braai with if you want to.

Wilko

Great Wilko!
Finally my friend Gordon and me we know where this mysterious (in Italy...) rave party takes place!
I was in Namibia in '89 and in '92 for a whole month and I can certainly say that your country is really charming.
About Swakop I remember of a shop named Peter's Antiques, really expensive, but with a lot of enchanting things!
Ok, many, many thanks for your communication, and i would ask to you if we can keep in touch, so you can suggest us -when we will come in Namibia- some interesting places to visit.

Regards, Franco

P.S. I'm sorry, but this is the most I can do
writing english...:o)

No problem. I dont know if the Antique Store still exists, but you can try. You know my email, so keep in contact if you want. See you guys at Amphies then.

Wilko

ciao franco,
i am from torino, italy
me and my boyfriend are going to have a little holiday in namibia in december and we wanted to go to the famous Amphies party

can you tell me much more about it?

i read you've been to namibia before

can you suggest us beast ways to reach namibia? where to sleep? which are most special places to visit??

grazie!
francesca

ps-you can also send me an e-mail on my account...

oops!
my account is:
floatingf@yahoo.com

please, let me know about amphies
you or whoever knows about it!

thanks

hi Francesca , please check you account , I tried to send you some news but I was not able to ship the message.
Regards Gordon

Please post any news anyone may have about the Amphies party here so we can all see it, cheers.

Phil J
moderator

Hey guys!
Me again. I have just heard some news about Amphies. I do not know if it is entirely true, but it is something to keep in mind. Apparently Amphies has been cancelled. There will not be an organized Amphies like there was in the past few years. But do not dispair completely. All the regulars will probably be going to the old spot and have an informal Amphies. There will not be a stage with the Lasershow and everything anymore, but the party will still be hecticly awesome.

As I said, I am not entirely sure if this info is correct, since I am not in Namibia at the moment, but this is what I heard from my friends in Namibia.

You can still come to Swakopmund anyway, because the parties will still go on.

I will update you guys as soon as I have something more solid.

Bye for now.

Wilko

Hi Gordon
You wanted to know if there is going to be an Amphi´s at Swakopmund.Well i am a lokal from Namibia but is currently not there but like wilko said it is the party of your life.I have been there for the past 7 years and it is a wonderfull experience...if you don´t go there you are going to miss out.If i can give you some tipps,take lots of booze,energy and sunscrean.I believe that IF the rave is cancelled then the old lokals will still support it,somewhere in the desert you will find a party.

Regards Gordon

Newest developements! Amphies is going on as planned! The organizers have found the funds to continue with the party! So if you are in Swakop, make sure to get a ticket! Dont ask me what they will cost though, because I dont know. I just know that Amphies is on!

Enjoy the party. It will be the best one you've had in a long time!

Cheers

Wilko

Can anybody tell me whether this is only a new year's party or whether it continues for a few days? I hear a rumour that there is a 4 day rave taking place at Swakop.

Hi,

I was wondering about stories I've heard. Some say the a ticket cost N$180 and some say they go for N$150, could someone please confirm on those prices if they get to hear something. The other thing I wanted to know was who will be DJ'ing that night?

So i just read in the Namibian newspaper that Amph´s is so far blown off since Achim Heinrich won´t be organizing it,they are trying to find a new organiser for amphi´s but if they don´t there won´t be a party like usually.So hold thumbs,maybe all the lokals will make their own party.Amphi´s is not a 4 day party,it usually starts at 10 in the morning (31) and ends the next day about late afternoon.....it is really nice and if you don´t go there,you are going to miss out if it is still held.So cheers,to be or not to be

Hey guys was the party good, did it happen, is there a new format for future parties?

Curious..

Phil J
moderator

Yes, the party did take place, but not as usual. The organised Amphies took place at Kahn Mine, a couple of kliks further than Amphies. From what I heard the party there sucked. Apparently there were only about 300 people there! Most of the regulars did their own thing at the original site, and that was said to be a real blast! Then there were other parties as well. Henties Bay for example was completely sold out. The other one was at Landstrand, also a huge gig. So if you didn't make it to Amphies this year, dont dispair! You didn't miss much.

Wilko

Hi Y'all
I am the organizer of the amphi party.We r working on this party again for this year but intend making it a 2 day event.I have a new venue about 7 km from the 'old amphi'. any queries can be directed to me at my e-mail adress
bachhein@yahoo.com

Must let you all know ... the party at Amphi's is one not to miss out on ... guys and girls ... make a appointment with your busy schedule this year ... this new years ... and attend this party.

FirChild

if this the wilko im thinking about,we need to to get some pictures on the web because havin been overseas for a while and promoting nam and amphies as much as i can it would be good to have some photos for people to try and understand.anyway neil king you have to come.

Guys ... just want to know ... any news on this years Desert rave? ... moved back to SA, so I am in the dark about the event taking place ... at least I know that it is happening ...

I have a few photos from a previous one, but only a couple of day photos, the nite ones did not come out correctly.

But see you all soon ... bringing friends from SA, and the UK ... see you all ...

Yeah, the party is definitly happening again this year. Going to be as good as every year, definitly something worth going to if you are in Namibia.

Amphies has been great again.Feel sorry for all the people who have missed it.Better luck next year.

Hi Gordon, Rave party, yes it does exist, I was there last year! Awesome experience and going again with friends this year. I wouldn't call it a rave party, just a party. Last year was my first there though... a couple international DJ's, Laser shows on the 100 metre high sand dunes, people camping everywhere, all having mini parties... a Truely amazing experience!

Hey all,
I was in Nam earlier this year and I absolutely loved it. I planned on going back again in December. I didn't even know about this party but if it is on this year, I will definitely be there. Does anybody know if it is gonna happen and where?
Any other details would be greatly appreciated.

hey guys. does anyone know if the "big new years party" is on this year. heard from someone that it might be cancelled. if anyone knows leave your message here again.

hey waz, what you doing. are you board at work and missing us.

love niks

Hey guys.

to be quite honest, we haven't heard anything about amphies yet. ther has been no advertising, no ticket sales, nothing. i'm not saying that it isn't taking place, but i'm also not sure that it is.

if anything should come up, i'll try to let you know.

wilko

Hi all.

As far as we are all concerend Amphies is so far not happening this year and probably wont. There's this whole thing about the environment and the preservement thereof. Instead we are trying to organise a festival on the beach where a load of local and South African rock/punk/ska bands will be playing. Would any of you dig to do that?

Hi ... I would like to comment on Anja's mail ... no way ... Amphies is all about New Years and having a free spirit ... if it does not happen this year ... there will be lots and lots of parties happening around the area ... What will the story be? ... going from Rave (Trance, House & Funk) to Rock? Cannot happen and really think that it will be a bad idea ... that is my view point!

Well, what does rave have to do with being a free spirit?? Its more about taking drugs than beeing a free spirit. Besides, they tried the Rave party thing last year at a different venue, and it sucked. You see, most people here aren't even into the whole boom boom scene and onle went to amphies as it was the only thing happening. You can go ahead and rave it up all by yourself!!! I can't remember the last time there was a rave over here, let alone a decent one. Forget about it DJ boy there ain't gonna happen. You can go to Cape Town and join the Vortex!!!
Yes, and there might be lots and lots of parties happening in and around Swakop, but if we get the bands lined up that we will, then it will have the biggest turn out. So, go home raver bunny.

No way!

I did not try to offend you ... but think that you took it totally the wrong way ... I am not even going to go into the whole matter of taking drugs or not to. Not all open minded, free spirited people do drugs, and I think that you took it as been a general thing with people who loves music ... uplifting music. If you read up abit more about the music and the culture, you will wake up and smell the roses.

And it seems that you are one of that lost culture kiddies who are to scared to see the reality of life and the wonderfull things around you.

As for your comment on: It is the only thing happening ... it is so not true ... there has always been numerous parties and events happening in and around swakop ... but it seems that you and all your buddies seemed to have forgotten that, there is life away from just going where most people will be.

Okay, I guess that I am going of again about something which is besides the point of this whole forum, so I will stop ...

Last but not least ... boom boom scene? What the hell is that?

Sounds like you have to go for a mental check up, and just maybe I will come to your event for awhile, since I have nothing against your music and the culture which is associated with it ... maybe you will be able to have another OPPIKOPPIE like event ... which is one of the largest SA Band events in the southern hemisphere.

Good luck!

Ok, I'm sorry, my bad. I did not mean to offend you either. I do know it isn't all about taking drugs. A lot of people of course wouldn't do it without the drugs, but I can't assume that's you.
As for being open minded, I think I am. I just found it a bit narrow-minded from you to say that going from a rave to a rock fest isn't going to work. In my experience, if there is a big enough event - that is where the people go. Take last year for instance. There was something happening at Longbeach, Kahn mine and old Amphies. People scattered as there was no headliner. Kahn Mine (rave) was apparently a major flop. So people pretty much just went to the Amhpie theatre to party by themselves or to Longbeach. We haven't heard of anything happening yet for New Years, so we figured we may as well try and get something major on.
You are right though, I have no right to judge the rave/trance culture. It may be uplifting but I wouldn't say more uplifting than any other music - beside mindless pop of course.
Like you said though, if I can go to a rave party and enjoy myself then the ravers can come to a a "rock" fest and enjoy themselves.
Point is, Amphies like it used to be will not happen anymore. The usual organiser snarfed his money away. So, instead of all of us scattering all over the place, why not all party together again!!!

Not a problem ... and will see what this year has to offer ... maybe there will be a surprise in store for all of us ...

Do you know something we don't know??
Maybe we can even combine the rock and trance thing.
Was thinking of starting it up in the early afternoon. Have bands play till about midnight and then trance it up from there. What do you think??

Hey Guys. I find it interesting the different ways people figure a New Years party should be held/organised. What I think though, and I sort of speak out of experience as well, is that if you are in Swakop over New Years and you don't know where you want to go, don't dispair. It happened to me the last three years. I went to Swakop promising myself I would go to Amphies or Langstrand or whereever the biggest party took place. Every year though, something better came along. But this is more a personal preference. I'm not the kind of person to go to huge parties with thousands of people. I like to be with friends and do whatever. The last two years were probably the best New Years parties I ever had. And I didn't go to any of the big events. What I guess I'm trying to say is don't limit yourselves to the raves and rockfests. Keep a lookout for the smaller parties, where a bunch of buddies come together and dop it up. I think you could be surprised as to how much you would enjoy it.

Regards,

Wilko

PS: Glad to see you guys made up!!

Hi Wilko.

You are absolutley right. The best New Years is the one you spend with all your friends no matter what you're doing.
By the way, Happy Birthday for Thursday.....

Thank You Anja. By the way, how do you know it's my Birthday?

I know so as it is my birthday too. Now I guess you know which Anja I am.

Aaahhh. Now I know. Jees, small world to be meeting you in a forum.
Anyway, happy birthday to you too, and may there be many more!!!

Hey.... n e news on the amphis party... must say it is rather quiet this year.....
have not heard a thing about it.....

Hi you all
Am from Phalaborwa, South Africa, but only been here for a while now. Am a Namibian! Haven't been to a Namibian rave for the past 4 years and I can assure you... I'm missing it. Even if you go to the major clubs in Centurion like Truth, Evolution H2O, etc. it's just not the same than Namibia's rave scene. Maybe the previous organiser snarfed away all his money, as you said Anja, but let me tell you one thing, seeing a totally drunk teenager/student in Hatfield is even worse. What I'm trying to say is that although I am totally against drugs, alcohol is as bad.
But... what I actually wanted to know, will you all please update me on whats happening for New Years? Even though I love rave, my boyfriend again loves rock etc. So no matter what, we are a lot of Palagatters coming to Namibia for the whole of December and me, as the Namibian (born and raised) will have to show them the best time of their lives!
thanks
Julize

Hi there Julize,

Okay ... same goes for me ... also a Namibian stuck in SA ... and it is true what you say ... rave culture is not what it is like in Namibia ... but it is true what Anja said ... it is not the same anymore there either, but hey ... you and your friends will definitly have a chance to let go and enjoy yourselves ... Namibia is a country with a lot of diversity and many cultures ... surely you all will find something to do ... I am going down with my girlfriend and a couple of friends ... I will make sure they get to do and see all ... what a place like Namibia has to offer ...

Cheers for now ... FireChild

Howzit dudes and dudets!

One could almost say that you know more about what's gonna happen on New Years than we do. There is absolutely nothing going on at the moment. I think everbody is a little distracted by the International Freestyle Championship and the Scooter Concert on the 4th December in Whk. Everbody seems to have forgotten about New Years. Your best bet would be to just pitch up. I am sure you will find somewhere to have a joll. I don't even know what I am gonna do yet. One thing is for certain though, the official Amphies is not on this year. It will probably be an inofficial one, with all the dieharts coming together.

Hi FireChild and Wilco
Thanks for the response! Well, I lived in Swakop for 2 years and before that in Henties for 2 years! We will be going to Henties from 19/12 until 04/01. Maybe one of you can inform me on what's happening in the Mole this year? Normally they have a beertent and some kinda entertainment? What about biking? We are taking 2 quads as well as 2 off-roads with. Where are you nowadays allowed to play and where not? Also what will be happening at Langstrand? Tried to get some info on the net, but dunno if I'm stupid, just can't find anything with info. Just the normal stuff on what the town looks like, offers etc. Nothing on December 2004. FireChild... am also taking my, verrrrrrrrry younger than me, boyfriend to Namibia as well as some other friends. Unfortunately, none of them like raving etc...
Cheers for now
Julize

Hi Guys,

Wilko is quite right when saying we are not quite sure what is going on New Years. BUT, do not dispair, there will be parties all over. In trying to organize for some bands to come down, we have discovered that Langstrand and the Amphies both have something going for New Years. We just don't know what yet. Other than that there will be numerous things popping up.
As for our mission to bring the bands down, we have decided that now is not the time and the place. We will need back up and although the response from sponsors have been excellent, we tried at too short notice. Instead we are organising a major bash for Easter next year and have already corresponded with the necessary people.
As for New Years, no doubt that there will be a massive party at some place or another. You will not be dissapointed.

Guys... there is going 2 be an amphis aparently.... dont have more details, but i heard from a reliable source... it will b happening.... propably done by camel....