Bassline Summer fest slated for 3 December

Bassline was founded in 1994 by accomplished producer and promoter Brad Holmes. Over the years, it has welcomed leading musicians from all over Africa, notably Sha Sha (Zimbabwe), Salif Keita (Mali), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Baaba Maal (Senegal) and Leila (Morocco), among others. 

This year, the event will be held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, and forms part of the annual Arts Alive Festival, which is celebrating 30 years of heritage and culture via visual arts, theatre, music, poetry, comedy, dance, masterclasses and workshops.

“Bassline Summer celebrates the end of the year; a time to have fun and let go, with the best of Mzansi talent, from our most shining stars to our rising stars in the making,” Holmes said. 

Discussing the show earlier this month, Langa Mavuso said it is “always great to reconnect with the listeners and give them a show like none other. I travel with a band of six incredible musicians and with each new show we try to reimagine the music. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with Samthing Soweto, whom I love and respect so much."

Other acts programmed for the event include pop trio Beatenberg, who will be appearing as part of their homecoming tour in support of their new EP On the Way to Beatenberg, their first new offering in four years. Having just completed UK dates with English singer George Ezra, the band set off on a sold-out headline tour on 14 November at Rockwood Music Hall in New York before heading to LA, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Johannesburg and Cape Town. They have also just been announced as part of the first 191 artists scheduled for SXSW 2023.

Joining them are Melo B Jones, Rah Punzl, LaliBoi and renowned producer Spoek Mathambo, credited with creating a unique and vital blend of hip hop, jazz and South African tribal music.

This year, Bassline says it will offer performing artists and technical trainees on production one-year usage to the Bassline Music Biz Essentials online masterclasses, allowing them to “hear it from the pros” regarding essentials of the live music business.

Tickets are available here.