SA: Moonchild Sanelly announces new album, UK and Ireland tour

In addition to the album, Moonchild has also announced a 2025 headline tour of the UK and Ireland, kicking off on 8 March in Manchester. The tour will include stops in Dublin, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Bristol, before culminating in a highly anticipated performance at Heaven in London on 26 March.

Full Moon marks Moonchild’s third studio album and is a testament to her evolution as a genre-bending artist. Recorded across Malawi, the UK, and Sweden, the record was produced by Johan Hugo, known for his work with artists such as Self Esteem, M.I.A., and Kano. Spanning 12 tracks, the project showcases Moonchild’s distinct sound, blending elements of electronic music, Afro-punk, edgy pop, kwaito, and hip hop.

Her latest single, ‘Do My Dance’, offers a glimpse into the album’s diverse sound. The track is a high-energy anthem with rapid-fire verses backed by a “happy hardcore” beat and a vibrant, catchy chorus. The accompanying video, directed by Nate Thomas and filmed in Johannesburg, captures Moonchild in her full aesthetic glory, complete with her iconic teal “Moon Mop” hairstyle.

Speaking about the inspiration behind Full Moon, Moonchild said: “I called this record Full Moon to convey a really clear sense that I got from living and writing these experiences. Phases showcased all my sides, the different phases of the moon, and this one is all those parts of me being in unison with each other… Full Moon is me, lit up in my entirety. It’s the arrival of my whole self.”

She added, “Full Moon is a culmination of everything I needed to experience to get to this point, every emotion I had to feel, everything I went through… This project has it all, from beginning to end. The fights, the sadness, the getting back up, the letting go, the forgiveness, the acceptance.”

Moonchild has been building anticipation for Full Moon with a string of successful singles. In May, she released the audacious anthem ‘Scrambled Eggs’, followed by ‘Sweet & Savage’, which premiered with a special COLORSxSTUDIOS performance, and the infectious hit ‘Big Booty’. These tracks have already captivated audiences across Europe, including 10 shows at Glastonbury.

Her collaborations have also drawn significant attention. This summer, her track ‘Big Man’ featuring Self Esteem was hailed as one of the Songs of the Summer 2024 by The Guardian. She also teamed up with Steve Aoki for the track ‘Mad’ and recently collaborated with Ezra Collective and M.anifest on ‘Streets Is Calling’.

Full Moon will be available in CD, digital download, and a limited edition glow-in-the-dark vinyl LP format. Pre-order and pre-save options are available here.