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CONCERTS
Lauryn Hill was billed to come to South Africa this weekend and UK crooner Sam Smith will be coming in April, but these are the two concerts we’ll be booking tickets for:
AKA Orchestra on the Square
Sun Arena, Time Square Casino, Pretoria
March 17
After four albums, AKA Orchestra On The Square will see the Fela in Versace hitmaker take to the stage with a 30-piece orchestra. We especially look forward to hearing his earlier work from Alter Ego presented in this fashion.
Ed Sheeran
Cape Town and FNB Stadiums
March 27 and 28
Following his highly successful performance at the Global Citizen Festival in December, Grammy Award winner Ed Sheeran is returning to our shores. His two performance dates in Joburg have already been sold out, so if you’re hoping to catch him and his beloved guitar live, best you go to Cape Town, which still has some tickets available.
FESTIVALS
Rocking the Daisies will be happening again this year, and we’re waiting for details about Oppikoppi, but these are the festivals we’re looking forward to most this year:
Bushfire
House on Fire, Swaziland
May 24 to 26
Line-up: Meute, Sands, Mandla Mlangeni, Eme & Moonchild, Dobet Gnahoré
Bushfire is uniquely African and welcomes thousands to an atmosphere of tolerance and passionate commitment to music, the arts and the environment. We’ll definitely be attending this year.
Ultra SA
Cape Town and Johannesburg
March 1 and 2
Line-up: The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix, Above & Beyond, Culoe De Song, Da Capo, Kususa, Ryan Murgatroyd, Shimza and Themba
Ultra is the world’s premiere festival brand and was held in 24 cities all over the world last year. This is also South Africa and the continent’s biggest electronic music festival. As Ultra draws nearer, the festival’s line-up continues to grow even more impressive.
Bacardi Holiday Club
Welgelegen Manor, Balfour, Mpumalanga
March 8 to 10
Line-up: DJ Speedsta, Yung Swiss, Heavy K, Moonchild, 2Lee StarkDitch the city for an all-inclusive (yes, that includes alcohol and food) festival retreat at the gorgeous Welgelegen Manor – less than one hour outside of Joburg. Over the weekend, you’ll get to enjoy more than 30 performances across three stages showcasing diverse talents.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Cape Town International Convention Centre
March 29 to 30
Line-up: Chaka Khan, Shekhinah, Don Laka, Sho Madjozi, Alfa Mist, Keyon Harrold, Nubya Garcia
Over the past few years, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has been curating a line-up that seeks to attract a younger crowd by presenting musicians who aren’t necessarily – and at times not in any way – jazz artists. And with the likes of Shekhinah and Sho Madjozi in attendance, the stages are sure to be musically progressive and exciting.
Comic Con Africa 2019
Gallagher Convention Centre
September 21 to 24
There’s a lot to be ironed out in terms of organisation, but South Africa’s sophomore Comic Con is sure to be well attended. Start planning those costumes. – Rhodé Marshall and Grethe Kemp
THEATRE
Kids can look forward to Broadway production Seussical the Musical next month, while dazzling big band international show Sinatra and Me will entertain adults. However, the biggest theatre event scheduled so far is...
Chicago The Musical
Teatro at Montecasino and Artscape Opera House
March 15 to May 26
R200 to R400 at computicket.com
It’s one of the most beloved musicals of all time and seems to gain relevance as the years go by with its dark messaging about celebrity and fame. Created by the US songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb, choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse, the production will star a multitalented all-South African touring cast, band and crew. The show will also make an international tour to New Zealand and China. – Grethe Kemp
