SA: Moonchild Sanelly to debut Full Moon live in Joburg for first time

The show follows the release of her third studio album Full Moon, which features tracks including ‘Scrambled Eggs’, ‘Do My Dance’ and ‘Falling’. The performance is scheduled to take place in her home city, with tickets already on sale.

Moonchild Sanelly said the decision to stage the concert in Johannesburg was influenced by recent audience responses during live performances in South Africa.

“I have toured the world with Full Moon, and bringing this show home to Johannesburg is everything to me,” she said. “To share my alternative sound with my original Jozi crowd means the absolute world… In fact, it means the Moon!”

She added that the pricing of the show was intentionally set to be accessible to local audiences.

Sanelly, who developed her early sound in Durban and Johannesburg, is known for her self-described “future-ghetto-funk” style, which blends electronic music with elements of Afro-pop and dance.

Her early releases, including ‘I Walk Ye Para’, ‘Midnight Starring’, ‘Makhe’, and the album ‘Rabulapha!’, helped establish her profile in South Africa before she moved into international collaborations.

She has worked with a range of global artists, including Beyoncé on ‘My Power’, Gorillaz on ‘With Love to an Ex’, as well as collaborations with Wizkid, Major Lazer and Diplo.

Since signing to UK independent label Transgressive Records, she has released the EP Nüdes, the album Phases, and Full Moon. The latter received international critical recognition and was featured on year-end lists from publications including Variety and GQ.

Sanelly has also performed at major international festivals including SXSW, Primavera Sound, Afronation and Glastonbury Festival, where she appeared multiple times across different stages.

Reflecting on her career trajectory, she has previously spoken about overcoming personal and professional challenges. “I fought everything for me to exist as myself and to win as myself,” she said, linking her resilience to experiences following the loss of her mother during her teenage years. “I was constantly reminded about my magic and my power… that nothing is impossible.”