We Are One Festival through a 35mm | South African Music

On Saturday (6th April) the much anticipated We Are One Colour Festival festival took place at Emmarentia Dam in Johannesburg. Confused by many as the Holi One fest, which is correct but the event had a name change. What seemed like to be attended by everyone in Joburg was one damn awesome day out accompanied by jamming South African music. Something different and enjoyed by everyone that attended. Debby Hunter attended We Are One as part of the LW crew and captured the day in her own interpretation with some amazing photos….

10 seconds on the clock and the crowd moves in closer, as if you’ve know each other for years and this is just another experience together. 8 seconds on the clock, palms are sweaty but the powder is ready at hand. 5 seconds on the clock, you can feel the electricity in the air, the pulses racing of the crowd around you, 3, 2, 1, the sky explodes with luminous colors contrasting with such magnificence against the pure blue and green surroundings, only for it to settle and have a scene set which is close to apocalyptic. This is only the first of 5 throws we have to look forward to, each being as colorful and energetic as the last.

The feeling in the crowd is one of; free-falling, high-flying, astro-naughting, myth-busting, superhero-ing energy after havingthrown their multi-colored powder, and the excitement continues as the next DJ in the brilliant line-up of DJ’s starts playing. Around me I can see people dancing, doing the Harlem shake, hugging, kissing – as the powder beats off their bodies with every step they make.

The ‘We Are One’ emphasis was abound, if you had walked in alone, chances are you walked out with at least 20 new friends, bonded by the fact that you all look like something the Nyan Cat left behind. Even whilst driving home, a festivalgoer could be spotted a mile away and a sense of comradery shines through with shouts of love and much hooting.

The Johannesburg crowd out did Cape Town by buying four times the amount of powder and having sold out the extra tickets set aside, after they were initially sold out – when you want to do something properly, do it in Joburg! The opinion of most was that the festival ran smoothly and seemed well organized. The DJs were top quality, Richard the third definitely being one of my favorites and the booze was flowing, despite the excessive prices for it. Entrance was a breeze, queues at the bars and other stalls minimized by the staff running them.

Despite all the controversy around the festival and whatever your own personal opinions of the event were, you can’t deny that the ‘We Are One Festival’, held at Emmarentia Dam in Johannesburg on Saturday, was a sensational spectacle for the eyes but a nuisance for the sinuses. It was an experience unrivaled…

Debby Hunter – just another festivalgoer!
All pictures were shot on a Leica 35mm, with xpro chrome 100 lomography film