Mango Groove is an undisputed national treasure who is now firmly part of the South African national consciousness. Their 10 times platinum debut studio album “Mango Groove” firmly established them as one of the all-time greats in South African musical history and one of the songs from the album, “Special Star” has become one of the most iconic South African anthems of all times. Since then the group with its uniquely eclectic Big Band “Marabi Pop” sounds has captured the hearts of the country and the world. Powered by Claire Johnson’s distinctive, crystal clear soaring vocals and featuring the unique texturing of pennywhistle and big band marabi horns, Mango Groove has racked up the achievements and firmly established themselves as one of South Africa’s most recognized and distinctive bands.

The group’s highlights have been innumerable, profound, ground-breaking and record-setting. Over the years they’ve racked up 30 times platinum sales in South Africa alone and an eye-watering set of live attendance records that still stands for any artist in SA today: 6 sold-out shows at the Sun City Superbowl, 6 consecutive sold-out shows at the Standard Bank Arena and performing in front of a whopping 20 000 plus crowd at Green Point Stadium.

They’ve carved out their mark in history: their music was used in NBC’s worldwide broadcast of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison; the group also headlined the concert of Mandela’s inauguration. Furthermore, Mango Groove has been ambassadors in taking SA music to the rest of the world. They were the only South African group to perform at the handover of Hong Kong to China and the only SA act to feature on the Freddy Mercury Tribute concert broadcast to over a billion people. They appeared in front of 200 000 people at the SOS Racisme concert in Paris and received no fewer than three breathtaking encores at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Mango Groove has been instrumental in a host of social awareness and fund-raising initiatives such as AIDS, literacy, conservation and education. In the recent past the band has been adding to their existing fanbase with their uniquely expressive headline appearances at key events such as Oppikoppie, Splashy Fen, Rocking the Daisies and Park Acoustics festivals.

Nomadic Orchestra is a five-piece brass dance band from Cape Town. The key objective of the Nomads - as they’re affectionately referred to - is to get people moving! The band plays

infectious, high-energy dance music guaranteed to get feet tapping and limbs flailing. They’re strongly influenced by traditional music from the countries of South-Eastern Europe: Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. They’re also influenced by Klezmer, gypsy and circus music as well as contemporary western party music. Their musical training brings a strong jazz aesthetic to the band, and thus an emphasis on improvisation.

Nomadic Orchestra has played at some of the biggest festivals in South Africa. These include Rocking the Daisies, OppiKoppi, Flamjangled Tea Party, Up The Creek, Synergy, Earthdance, Resonance, White Mountain, Lavender Fest, Park Acoustics, Capital Craft Beer Festival, Balkanology (Resurrection, Metamorphosis, Greek Mythology, Animal Farm) and Splashy Fen. They have also completed a very successful European tour and released their 3rd studio album titled “Out & About”.

Cape Town's Bam Bam Brown has been one of the most innovative producers and performers of his era. He is one of few musicians to have featured on every major local festival line-up in a single year, and has taken his music to Europe, Asia and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Brown's unique eclectic blend of indie, soul and pop influences is a tribute to his bi-racial heritage. His live and electronic performances combine razor sharp lyrics with soulful melodies and endless infectious rhythms.

Bam Bam Brown has performed at many noteworthy South African festivals such as Rocking The Daisies, National Arts Festival, Oppikoppi, Design Indaba, Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts, Smoking Dragon Festival, Park Acoustics, Feastival and also out with SA, in Germany, India, Mozambique and Namibia.

Matthew Mole is a South African singer-songwriter from Fish Hoek, Cape Town. He is the winner of the South African Music Awards record of the year 2021.

Mole's father taught him how to play the guitar and he later learned how to play ukulele, banjo, piano, organ, and drums He started writing his own music at the end of high school and went on to study music production. According to Mole, his approach to writing music involves starting with a lyrical idea, a rhythm or a melody, and then recording different instruments and switching back and forth between them to build a finished song.

His independent EP You Did Well, Kid was released online in 2011. In August 2012, he won Converse's Get Out of the Garage competition, which awarded him a gig in London's 100 Club and a recording session at Converse's studio in New York. After winning the competition, he signed to Just Music and released his second EP, Same Parts, Same Heart, in December 2012. His song from the EP, "Same Parts, Same Heart," was included in the soundtrack of the film Leading Lady.

Mole recorded and released his debut studio album, The Home We Built, in 2013. Mole became the first South African artist to enter the iTunes SA chart at #1 on the first day of releasing his debut album. The album received nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Best Engineer of the Year. Mole also received a nomination for Best New Comer in the MK Awards.

His second album, Run, was released in 2016, followed by Ghost, released in November 2019. Run was ranked number 1 on South Africa's iTunes within three months of release, and the single "Run" achieved Gold Status within three months of release. At the 23rd Annual South African Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best Pop Album, Best Produced Album, and Record of the Year.

Mole describes his musical style as folk with an electronica influence. In live performances, Mole can be seen playing guitar, synth, kick drum, and triggered beats at the same time. He has performed at many local festivals as well as in the UK, the US, Thailand, and Russia.

For Will Linley, a career in music was a distant dream. The 20-year-old musician & songwriter, born & raised in Cape Town, South Africa, can’t remember a time in his life without music. He grew up singing with his three brothers & his mom & studied classical singing in high school.
The singer’s debut single, MISS ME (WHEN YOU’RE GONE), was written last October, inspired by a real-life experience. The song got traction after Will teased it on TikTok, and he & his producers have refined the emotionally-wrought tunesince.LikeallofWill’smusic,MISS ME (WHEN YOU’RE GONE)evokesa universal connection & uplifting positivity.
Whilst Will has found a global connection with fans thanks to TikTok, a platform to which he owes much of his success thus far, he is particularly excited about the South African connections that have been established whilst working on this project & he plans to continue collaborating with South African creatives, like Noble and the MISS ME (WHEN YOU’RE GONE) music video director Abongwe Booi.”A phrase commonly used amongst South Africans is ‘We’re stronger together’ & that is something I want to bring through in my music,” WILL notes, “It’s exciting to have the place I call home on display through my art. After all, my story is a South African story.”

Dukes of Note is a Gypsy-Carnival-Rock band showcasing a blend of elaborately energetic theatrics that will leave your imagination exposed!

THE RUDIMENTALS are a 10-member musical outfit from Cape Town, South Africa, known for their explosive live performances.

The band finds their inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including roots reggae, ska, dub, hip-hop and electronic music. Over the years, they have had multiple successful releases and toured extensively, winning fans and critical acclaim with their catchy hooks, upbeat rhythms, and positive message. The band is proudly Capetonian made up of diverse cultures and nationalities including Zimbabwean, Jamaican, American, Italian and of course South African. This is a big part of their unique sound. There have been many changes in style over the years, but they have always kept true to their music and good vibes. The band has been dynamic in embracing popular musical styles and has incorporated them to remarkable success earning a 5fm no.1 Top 40 followed by no.2 on the

same chart 3 months later.

The Rudimentals have performed alongside The Wailers and UB40, Lucky Dube, Johnny Clegg, Freshly Ground and Mango Groove.

Since dominating the South African music charts in 2012 at the age of 19 with his smash hit single Elephant Shoes, Jimmy Nevis has become a much-loved household name in his native country. Born and raised in the suburb of Athlone in Cape Town, he has since solidified his status with a string of other country-wide No.1 singles such as Heartboxing, 7764 ,All About It, Balloon , Hey Jimmy, and more. This year (2022), Jimmy will be celebrating 10 years in the South African Music industry.
With his live performance show being of tantamount personal importance, Jimmy has performed on the stages of some of the biggest festivals and events in Sub-Saharan Africa, some of which include Kirstenbosch Gardens, Rocking The Daisies, KFM’s KDAY, Grand West Arena (including his own solo production), Baxter Theatre, Joburg Day, Durban Day, Electric Vines, Heart Festival, The Lyric Theatre, MonteCasino, The Wavehouse, Newlands Cricket Stadium, as well as appearances on international television franchises Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with The Stars, The Voice SA - as both guest performer and guest judge, and Coke Studios.
Among many of his accolades, Nevis has had the opportunity to work and collaborate with some of the best musicians and producers that South Africa has had to offer, including Kwesta, Karen Zoid, MiCasa, Pascal & Pearce, and Sketchy Bongo. He has also performed as the opening act for international stars such as Tevin Campbell and Pharrell Williams. He has most recently worked as a songwriter with mega producer, Dark Child.
Together with friend Cassidy Emmanuel, Nevis founded the Blue Collar Foundation in 2015, a philanthropic initiative that hopes to inspire and create change among the youth of Cape Town, with a focus on creating opportunities that encourage the youth to dream beyond the means of their socio-economic backgrounds. The foundation has managed to impart a number of full tertiary education bursaries to this effect.
He also runs the Cape Nature Camp-Out which is a family music festival that runs in the Cederberg Mountains.

SIPHO “HOTSTIX” MABUSE is more vital than ever at 71.

Thirty-eight years ago, Sipho’s half-a-million-selling smash-hit single “Burn Out” changed the face and shape of Afro-pop and township jive like no other song or artist in pop music history.

Today there are few instruments he cannot play. Flute, piano, saxophone, kalimba, alto flute, timbales and African drums all feature at some point in his repertoire, all played with the respect each deserves.

His sensational six-piece, The Hotband, consists of Thembeka Khumalo (SAMA nominated) on vocals, Simphwe Khubeka on drums, Urban Noblela on guitar, David Mabaso on bass, Lloyd “toto” Mbele on keys and the man of the moment, Sipho Mabuse on vocals and saxophone.

“The sound of Sipho “Hotstix’ Mabuse was to set the world alight with sonic vibrations that contributed to the cultural development of world music, Afro-funk, Soweto soul, township pop and contemporary sounds over the years.” – Former-president Kgalema Motlanthe on Sipho’s 70th birthday

Prime Circle is regarded as South African rock royalty with numerous awards, six studio albums which have achieved multi-platinum status, several chart-topping singles and sold-out tours to its name.

Known as one of the most loved bands in the country, the group is also recognised on the international stage and has management in Germany. In the past few years Prime Circle has made strong inroads into the UK and European markets, gigging intensively and being playlisted on radio and headlining major rock festivals.

Since its formation in 2001, Prime Circle has demonstrated unmatched staying power with a dynamic sound that continues to evolve. Its success can be attributed to the fact that the members constantly challenge themselves while exploring new geographical and musical horizons.

Jesse Clegg is a South African singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist, whose three studio albums, When I Wake Up, his 2011 follow up Life on Mars, and his latest, Things Unseen, have made Clegg a platinum-selling success in his home country. He is the son of Johnny Clegg, who was a prominent musician and anti-apartheid activist. He has released six Top 10 singles and toured extensively throughout South Africa. As an official ambassador for the Nelson Mandela 46664 Foundation, Clegg has been invited to play at Radio City Music Hall in New York for the annual Mandela Day Concert. He has been nominated for three South African Music Awards.

LEE COLE has steadily been making his musical presence known, one pristinely produced pop song at a time.

Raised in Joburg, Lee Cole first gained attention in 2017 through his cover of the hit ‘Akanamali’ which has garnered over 320,000 views on YouTube to date. That same year, Cole released his first string of songs which saw rotation on a selection of SA’s biggest radio stations.

2020 was the big year for Lee as he released his breakout singles ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait’ and ‘Pink Dragons’ which saw him charting on major radio stations across South Africa - 947, KFM, Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio, Algoa FM, Heart FM and OFM. Another highlight of the year included a performance for the Princes Trust.

He released ‘Honey, Let Me In’ as his first single of 2021 and once again raced into the radio charts across SA with success on 5FM, KFM, Good Hope FM (peaked at #1), OFM, Algoa FM (peaked at #1) and more! He performed at the SAFTAs (South African Film and Television Awards) in April 2021 and continued the success throughout the rest of the year with the release of ‘Emotional’ (charting on Good Hope FM, Jacaranda FM, 5FM, OFM, etc) and most recently ‘Cold’ (currently on the 947 TOP 40 chart).

Lee steps into 2022 with a string of hit singles following 2 years of incredible success topping charts across radio. Following an incredible tour across the Eastern and Western Cape in Feb and March 2022 (which including performing at KFM’s popular KDAY event on Sat 5 March), he released his brand-new single “No Fear, No Tears” on Friday the 13th of May. The single is already bursting onto playlists and charts across SA, including KFM, 947, Algoa FM (peaking at #1 on Sat 13 Aug), Good Hope FM and East Coast Radio, to name a few.

His latest single “With or Without You”, released on Friday 2 September, has already entered the KFM Top 40, EAST COAST RADIO TOP 40, and Algoa FM Top 30 charts. This single is also one of the TOP 10 MOST PLAYED Local singles currently on radio.

With vocal influences ranging from rock titans Queen and AC/DC, to pop icon Michael Jackson, Lee Cole’s sound has been shaped by the multiple genres that he’s taken in over the years, resulting in a pop-rooted sound that’s flecked with his unique vocal stylings.

Francois van Coke rose to fame as the iconic front man of legendary South African rock bands Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel. On the 8th of April 2015, Francois launched his self-titled debut solo album and kicked his solo career into gear with the release of the most poignant ballad of that year – Toe Vind Ek Jou featuring Karen Zoid.

Tasché is, without a doubt, a world-class talent. Her charismatic stage presence and powerful renditions of local and international hits bagged her The Voice SA 3 crown in 2019. She became the first female winner of this reality TV series just after her 19th birthday; making her the youngest winner of The Voice SA as well. With her original music, Tasché is busy carving out her own space as the new generation Afrikaans rocker.

THE ROCKETS are one of the most successful pop groups to ever come out of South Africa.

Recent successes include the historic Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels and The Rockets OneVision collaboration concert at the GrandWest Arena. They were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ghoemas. Their 50th Anniversary sold out show at Grand West Arena in Cape Town also received a SAFTA award for Best Music Show production.

They have 3 South African Music Award nominations under their belt, namely, “Best Pop Performance”, “Best Contemporary Dance Performance” and “Beste Pop Album” categories.

Over the past 25 years THE ROCKETS have done more than 30 international trips which have included numerous performance in Australia, Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Seychelles, Morocco and various other countries in the Middle East as well as other parts of Africa.

The Rockets have supported many international acts in South Africa. These include Usher, Ronan Keating, Will Young, Patrizio Buanne, Alicia Keys, P.Diddy, Eddy Grant, Luther Vandross, The Spice Girls, Wet Wet Wet, Billy Ocean, The O’Jays and many others.

They have also performed at many other prestigious events in South Africa, including amongst others: The Staying Alive Aids concert at Greenpoint stadium filmed by MTV and watched by an estimated audience of 2 billion, Unite of the Stars, the massive “Concerts in the Park” held at Ellis Park, “KKNK, “Rand Show“, The Jazzathon, The Richtersveld Land Claim Celebration, Taliep Petersen Tribute show at Grand West Arena, and many more.

THE ROCKETS have had a long and successful recording career releasing many singles, maxi-singles, albums, CD’s and DVD’s that together, have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Their music has featured prominently on most of the Radio Station charts in Southern Africa and many have held the no.1 spot.

THE ROCKETS are more than just a group; they’re a musical institution! The Rockets have travelled in excess of 3 million kilometers performing before millions of fans, and they continue to set both local and international stages alight with their colourful, uncompromising and energetic performances.

One of the most acclaimed and successful bands to emerge from South Africa in recent years, Mi Casa blends the infectious Deep House & Soulful House style and musical traditions of pop, jazz, blues and indie rock. Formed in Johannesburg 2011 where they all met at a Night Lounge – the band is a national hit. Their live shows are legendary.