Johannesburg and the surrounding Gauteng region are in for a treat this October, with a wide range of live music events taking place. From international rap stars to hip-hop festivals, dance music, jazz, and intimate live performances, there's something for every music lover. The month kicks off with British rapper Dave bringing his The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour to South Africa on October 3 at Sunbet Arena in Pretoria.
On the same day, the Spring Fiesta festival will take over Wild Waters Complex in Boksburg, featuring a lineup of local and international DJs, including Atjazz, Jullian Gomes, Dwson, and Kid Fonque. The festival runs from 12.00pm until 1.00am and promises to be an unforgettable experience. Tickets for the festival start at R400, and organizers recommend using Uber to get to the venue.
The following day, American rapper Isaiah Rashad will perform at Montecasino Outdoor Events Arena in Johannesburg, joined by Sinead Harnett and rum.gold. This concert is part of the In The City JHB series and is sure to be a hit with hip-hop fans. Tickets for the event are available through official ticketing platforms.
For those looking for something more intimate, jazz vocalist Miriam Altman will bring her The Butterfly Project to the Wits Theatre on October 10. The project explores a deeply personal journey through darkness, resilience, and renewal, blending contemporary vocal jazz with soul, poetry, and African rhythmic influences. Altman will perform with an impressive ensemble of South African jazz musicians.
October 10 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Back to the City festival, which will take place at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. The festival features a lineup of international and local hip-hop acts, including Ab-Soul, Slum Village, and Cassper Nyovest. The event is more than just a music festival, with street art, fashion, skateboarding, gaming, and food also on offer.
Electronic music lovers will be thrilled to hear that Giuseppe Ottaviani will return to South Africa on October 17 for a We Are Trance experience at The Soundroom in Kyalami. He will be joined by local DJs, including Dirkie Coetzee and Pierre Pienaar. Tickets for the event start at R500.
The month will wrap up with performances by Mthunzi and Zawadi Yamungu. Mthunzi will bring his live show to Carnival City on October 24, featuring collaborations with special guests and musical friends. Zawadi Yamungu will perform at Untitled Basement in Braamfontein, presenting her evolving sound, which draws on indigenous instrumentation and contemporary African sounds.
Key points
- - Dave is set to perform at Sunbet Arena in Pretoria on October 3 as part of his The Boy Who Played the Harp Tour. - The Back to the City festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on October 10 at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. - Giuseppe Ottaviani will return to South Africa for a We Are Trance experience at The Soundroom in Kyalami on October 17.
