SA: A look at the 2021 National Arts Festival music line-up

Fans can watch the event online in the comfort of their homes while some can get the in-person experience in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

NAF CEO Monica Newton, who in April took legal action against the National Arts Council of South Africa for backtracking on its initial grant offer of R8m, said her outfit adapted the “festival experience to bring the arts to audiences where they are and at a time when we still need to be very careful about where we go and what we do to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

Johannesburg

The city of Johannesburg boasts a stellar music line-up comprising Lira, Sun-El Musician, SN Project, Judith Sephuma, Oratorio of a Forgotten Youth, Bokani Dyer and Benjamin Jephta. The aforementioned artists will perform at the Wits University Main Theatre.

Lira will employ her self-composed works of soul and funk with elements of jazz and African music to serenade her fans. “It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to perform with my full band,” she said. “So we would like to offer an inspiring and uplifting set that brings a mood of celebration for our audiences.”

DJ and producer Sun-El Musician is known for delivering a mixture of melodic house and Afrobeats that bring South Africa to the world. His ability to make music that retains its original African textures and timbres, combined with a futuristic feel, creates a universal appeal. Sephuma, meanwhile, has sold out shows around the world with her enchanting voice, which can be easily recognised by fans of jazz, Afrosoul and gospel. Her presence on the South African music scene has put the country on the map and her career on a pedestal. Her performance is among the NAF shows that should not be missed.

Multidisciplinary artist and musician Spoek Mathambo and 2020 Standard Bank Young Jazz Artist Sisonke Xonti will stage their performances at the John Kani Theatre on 3 and 4 July, respectively. Spoek is expected to present a dynamic audio-visual show conceived from his long-standing love affair with hip hop and neo-jazz, while Xonti will continue his quest for offering listeners an exciting array of new musical material. The Migration Suite singer presents a new face of South African jazz – urban, erudite, international and skilled, but rooted no less in his culture.

Durban

Melvin Peters, Neil Gonsalves and the Afrika Mamas will perform at the Seabrooke's Theatre in Durban. Described as a hidden musical gem, Peters has performed around the world with different music genres and has worked with a number of South Africa’s top musicians, ranging from Abdullah Ibrahim and Winston Mankunku Ngozi to the Free State Symphony Orchestra and the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra. He boasts a rich repertoire.

Like Peters, Gonsalves is a brilliant jazz artist whose music is influenced by the rich diversity of cultural life that characterises his hometown of Durban. He is expected to take listeners on a journey of ceremonial dances, jazz trances, earthy music and the blues, layered in colourful and dynamic tones.

A capella fans who intend to heal their hearts through music should make a date with the Afrika Mamas on 20 June. The seven-piece isicathamiya group has performed in countries including Germany, Poland, Belgium, Holland, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Namibia, the UK and US. They are also the recipients of the Imbokodo Award at the 2019 Isicathamiya Awards.

Gqeberha

Fans who want to hear music from the late artists Busi Mhlongo, Sibongile Khumalo and Brenda Fassie should not miss a performance by all-women quartet S’bane, which will make festivalgoers go through a déjà vu. The group has put together a repertoire that comprises a capella renditions of the aforementioned artists. Fans should prepare themselves for a vocal show-off.

Cape Town

Gallery44 will be graced by the Jitsvinger Trio, Mandisi Dyantyis and Siya Charles, who are expected to mesmerise fans with ecstatic performances. Known for music that focuses on the social history and cultural wealth of past generations, the Jitsvinger Trio will entertain festivalgoers with their home-grown sound.

Siya Charles will use her cultural and musical diversity to create a musical experience not to be missed, while the charismatic Dyantyis – known for his versatility in jazz, Western classical and African indigenous music – is expected to perform songs from his South African Music Award-nominated debut album Somandla, which exemplifies his sound with hauntingly beautiful melodies that are also deeply moving.

View the full National Arts Festival programme here.