Johannesburg
Back to the City Festival
Billed as the biggest hip-hop gathering in Africa, the Back to the City Festival brought 15 000 partygoers to Newtown last year and is planning for an even bigger crowd this time around. The line-up includes 40 MCs, 12 DJs, 12 graffiti crews, skaters, BMXers and beatboxers with performances on three stages, plus a fashion showcase, games and a “chill” zone. Big names on the bill include Kwesta, Proverb and Pitch Black Afro. It promises to be the hugest Freedom Day celebration ever.
April 27 from 10am until 1am, Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown. R100 at the gate or book online at backtothecityfestival.com
Africa Rising
International soulful house music phenomenon Black Coffee will present a new staging of his live orchestral show, Africa Rising, on Soweto`s historic Freedom Square, where the Freedom Charter, a cornerstone of the nation`s constitution, was adopted in Soweto in 1955. The two hour live house music show, which debuted at Durban`s Moses Mabhida Stadium in 2011, has gone on to become a top selling live DVD and CD with multiple 2013 South African Music Award nominations. Audiences can expect a non-stop dance experience wrapped in trademark synchronized lighting and LED visuals. The live show will be supported by Culoe de Song, DJ Strat3gy, Sai & Ribatone and DJ Kabila.
April 27. Freedom Square, Soweto. Tickets are R150 to R300 and available from Computicket.
Space Ibiza
Prepare for a galactic dance experience featuring international DJs Roger Sanchez, Camilo Franco and Danny Marquez. Space is a nightclub in the world’s party capital Ibiza, that has the title of the “best global club”. Its South African party tour will also feature local DJs performing on three dancefloors and promises to spin Jo’burg off its axis with “out of this world” sound, staging and lighting. Go ahead and dance like you know you want to.
April 27 at 9pm. Nicci Beach, Wild Waters, Boksburg. Tickets are R280 or R500 for VIP status from Computicket. Go to spaceibiza.co.za
Randlords
It’s threatening to be the Freedom Day party with the best rooftop view. To celebrate Freedom Day heroes, Jo’burg city’s most elegant and exclusive nightspot, Randlords, hosts DJ Dimplez, Metro FM DJ Sphectacula and DJ Naves on the decks, plus urban soul artist Naima Mclean, a talented writer, poet and vocalist, who launches her new single Hero, featuring hip-hop star AKA.
April 27 at 9pm. Randlords, 22nd floor, South Point Towers, 41 De Korte Street, Braamfontein. Tickets are R150 pre-sold and R180 at the door. Go to facebook.com/randlords
Simphiwe Dana
?Her sultry, smoky voice has earned Simphiwe Dana the title of “Goddess of South African cool”, and her albums – including The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street and Kulture Noir – have garnered South African Music Awards and gold and platinum status. Dana’s music is a unique melodic fusion with deep African roots. On Sunday, she kicks off a new series of events titled, The Lion of Africa Music Expressions, aimed at unearthing new talent in the performing arts, which will take place once a month until November at venues in Gauteng and Tshwane.
April 28 at 6pm, Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. Tickets from R250 to R435. Book at Computicket. Go to goldreefcity.co.za
Cape Town
Utopia Music Festival
Does the Cape really need another music festival? Maybe not, but the Utopia Music Festival does have a few great surprises nestled in between the usual rock and dance festival fare. Karen Zoid, Fokofpolisiekar, Desmond and the Tutus, The Plastics and aKing might have grabbed the headline slots on the main stage but the eclectic line-up also includes some hidden gems. Johannesburg-based singer-songwriter Nakhane Toure promises to woo with his gorgeously crafted intimate folk-blues hymns of desire, heartache and love. Similarly, Cape Town-based indie songsmith Matthew Mole’s intimate human expression will challenge festivalgoers to pause in their partying. Other acts include Mr Cat & the Jackal and Zaki Ibrahim.
April 26 to 28. Nekkies Resort and Camping Site, Brandvlei Dam, just outside Worcester. R380. Call 023 343 2909 or visit utopiafest.co.za.
City Hall sessions
Award-winning jazz saxophonist and producer Moreira Chonguiça continues to explore the musical cross-fertilisation that is at the heart of African jazz. A self-proclaimed “citizen of the world”, Maputo-born Chonguiça is equally capable of swaggering, cocksure blowouts and struts as he is of playing it smooth. For his Freedom Day performance at the City Hall Sessions he promises a set that refuses to be constrained by borders or genres. He will be joined by pianist Paul Hanmer and saxophonist McCoy Mrubata and their band, and a five-piece vocal group, Amaryoni.
April 27. Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, opposite the Grand Parade, Foreshore. R80. Visit creativecapetown.net.
Durban
Freedom Day Folk Music and Singer-Songwriter Festival
Acclaimed Durban musical archive project 3rd Ear Music joins forces with the Sanctuary of Love for the blissed-out third annual Freedom Day Folk Music and Singer-Songwriter Festival. The event has become synonymous with a supremely laid-back experience, stretching across a warm autumn day by the sea. Patrons get to enjoy the tranquil surrounds and listen to chilled acoustic tunes from artists such as Congolese troubadour René Tshiakanyi and South Coast minstrels the Jolly Jammers while browsing the 25 stalls of local handicrafts, art, food and drink.
April 27 from 10am to 5pm. Melville Spiritualist Church, Melville Beach, KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Entry is free. Phone 084 587 6134.
Mbuso Khoza
One of South Africa’s most iconic live music venues this weekend hosts a double bill of artists who are both nominated for a coveted South African Music Award. Mbuso Khoza’s debut album Zilindile appeared towards the end of 2012 and almost immediately snapped up the best contemporary jazz album award at the Metro FM Awards in February. The masterful vocalist from Eshowe appears with Sam Ibe on drums, Bongani Masina on bass, Luyanda Madope on piano and Fatso on guitar. The opening act is Lindiwe Maxolo.
April 28. Doors open at 1pm; music starts at 2pm. WHERE Rainbow Restaurant, 23 Stanfield Road, Pinetown. Cost R60 at the door or in advance at webtickets.co.za. Phone 031 702 9161 or visit therainbow.co.za