The 2024 touring calendar once again confirms a busy lineup of international concerts in Cape Town not to be missed. You can anticipate artists of all stripes taking centre stage everywhere from stadium shows to intimate local gigs. Read on for What’s on in Cape Town’s roundup of all the biggest tours and concerts in Cape Town this year.
Maroon 5, Keane and Meduza at Calabash South Africa
Calabash is one of South Africa’s biggest summer concerts in Cape Town and Johannesburg. This year the show will be headlined by chart-topping Grammy Award-winning pop-rock royalty Maroon 5.
Keane also forms part of the lineup as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album, together with the most significant global streaming Italian artist in the history of music Meduza, and the chart-topping pop sensation Ava Max – all for the very first time in South Africa.
The line-up at this family-friendly music festival also features local artists and bands such as Will Linley, Lloyiso, Sunset Sweatshop (Cape Town) and Timo ODV (Joburg).
Cost: From R230pp to R2740pp. VIP Packages from R3465pp. Book via Ticketmaster
When: Wednesday, 31 January from 5:15pm
Where: DHL Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
An Evening with Eckhard Tolle
New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the world’s leading spiritual teachers Eckhart Tolle is in Pretoria a 1-night mindfulness gathering that points you to spiritual awakening and the transformation of consciousness. With his hallmark warmth, humour and compassion, this evening will connect you with the peace and serenity that arises from living in the moment.
Eckhart’s teachings focus on the significance and power of Presence, the awakened state of consciousness, which transcends ego and discursive thinking. The author has done some extensive work with Oprah Winfrey.
Cost: From R725pp to R3000pp. Book via TicketPro
When: Saturday, 4 February from 7pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Milky Chance
The German indie-pop duo is extremely excited for their return to South Africa and the tour has a special reveal as well. ‘It’s been way too long since we were over in SA. Back then it was so special for so many reasons and we really felt welcomed by the people,’ explains Philipp Dausch from Milky Chance. ‘We have plenty of new music since our last visit that we want to share and we grew into the live band we always wanted to be. We can’t wait to play for the people in SA.’’
Milky Chance originated in Kassel, Germany, where childhood friends Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch formed the band and rose to fame with their breakout folk/electronic hit ‘Stolen Dance’ which reached #1 on the charts, was certified platinum in multiple countries and became one of the most Shazamed songs of all time.
Cost: From R595pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Sunday, 17 February from 11am to 7pm
Where: Green Point Track, 11 Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
Deacon Blue World Tour
Breakout Events is hosting Deacon Blue for a one-night-only show in Emmarentia on 24 February 2024. ‘We are excited to announce our first ever shows in South Africa, it’s a country that we have wanted to get to for many years and these shows, both outdoors in beautiful parks, will be really special,’ says Ricky Ross, lead singer of Deacon Blue.
This multi-platinum pop/rock band started during the aftermath of the post-punk era and made their mark in the mid-’80s. The band have always thrived onstage and looks set to vow local crowds with a selection of their hits.
Cost: 695pp for General Access, book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 22 February 2024 from 6pm
Where: Kirstenbosch Garden, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
Find out all you need to know about Deacon Blue’s Cape Town tour!
Xavier Rudd
With a career spanning over two decades, renowned Australian roots musician Xavier Rudd has established himself as a unique and compelling force in the world of roots music.
Rooted in his deep connection to the earth and his ancestral lines, his songs celebrate community, culture, and the human connection to the planet. His tenth album, Jan Juc Moon, marked by the poignant single “Stoney Creek,” reflects his deep connection to nature and the world around him. Rudd returns to South Africa for tours in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Cost: From R595pp. Book via Howler
When: Friday, 23 February from 6pm to 10pm
Where: Kirstenbosch Garden, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny
Jimmy Carr, the UK’s funniest comedian, has added dates for concerts in Cape Town for his much-anticipated world tour. Carr delivered the UK’s most streamed Netflix comedy special of 2021 and is back on the road with brand new material. His show features jokes about all kinds of terrible things, and beware that ‘having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo.’ Carr is famous for his dark humour and one-line jokes.
Cost: From R800pp to R3085pp. Book via Ticketmaster
When: Sunday, 3 March from 7pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
Hot off the heels of their recent announcement of their forthcoming new studio album, synth pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) confirmed their South Africa tour dates including Thursday, 18 April 2024 in Cape Town.
Their new album sees the band’s most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba. A broad, electronic, sonic masterpiece that lyrically tackles the topics of the future, it was predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by OMD frontman Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father).
Cost: From R895pp to R1195pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 18 April from 4pm to 10pm
Where: Green Point Track, 11 Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour
Australian Comedian, Jim Jefferies is bringing his Give ‘Em What They Want” tour to South Africa for two shows only in April 2024.
This Sydney native is one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, entertaining audiences across the globe with his provocative, belief-challenging, and thought-provoking comedy. Jim was honoured as Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at the Just for Laughs Festival in summer 2019. Jim’s latest show, Give ‘Em What They Want Tour, started at the end of 2022 with dates all around Asia, Europe and North America.
Cost: From R795pp to R3080pp. Book via Ticketmaster
When: Friday, 12 April from 8pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Joe Thomas: Magic Music Sessions
Vertex Events confirmed that legendary R&B singer, songwriter and producer, Joe Thomas, will be in South Africa in April to perform for one night only at GrandWest in Cape Town on Sunday, 38 April 2024.
The singer built up an undeniably impressive catalogue throughout the years, and ticketholders are set to be serenaded with all-time favourites and classics such as ‘I Wanna Know’, ‘All That I Am’, ‘Good Girls’, ‘Don’t Wanna Be A Player’, ‘All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do)’, ‘Stutter’, More & More’, ‘If I Was Your Man’ and ‘Thank God I Found You’.
Cost: From R650pp to R1135pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Sunday, 28 April from 6pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Train
One of the must-see concerts in Cape Town is the multi-GRAMMY Award-winning band TRAIN, who brings their ‘I Know, It’s Been A Long Time Coming Tour’ to South Africa for the first time ever.
Since their formation in 1994, the American band has had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100, 13 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, and has sold more than 10 million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide. The band’s global hit ‘Hey, Soul Sister’ continues to reach new milestones.
‘After 25 years of releasing Train’s first album, we are finally going to South Africa, a place we’ve all dreamt of since we were little kids,’ says Train frontman Pat Monahan.
Cost: From R795pp to R1195pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 9 May from 4pm
Where: Green Point Cricket Club, 111 Vlei Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
Thomas Anders of Modern Talking
Famed for his iconic contributions to German pop duo Modern Talking, Thomas Anders is set to embark on an exhilarating music tour in South Africa in 2024. His career spans 40 years and a remarkable legacy in the music industry. Anders will showcase his timeless hits like ‘You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul’ which reached No.1 in 81 countries.
Worldwide CD sales of Modern Talking and Thomas Anders’ solo works have now topped the 125 million mark. The concert is supported by Afrikaans pop star, Kurt Darren.
Cost: From R595pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 6 June from 6pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour
James Blunt will be touring South Africa next year in support of his brilliant new album Who We Used To Be. James and his band will play on Thursday, 12 September in Cape Town. ‘I cannot find the words to say how excited I am to get back out on the road again on tour in 2024,’ says James. ‘My new album was incredibly fun to write and record, and some of the new songs will undoubtedly get you up on your feet and dancing again. I’m looking forward to crowd surfing at a venue near you!’
Cost: From R855pp to R2135. Book via Ticketmaster
When: Thursday, 12 September from 8pm
Where: GrandWest Grand Arena, Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Take That: This Life on Tour
The multi-award-winning and smash hit makers, Take That, bring their ‘This Life on Tour’ to South Africa in 2024. Take That are renowned for their huge productions and live shows. The band are responsible for hits like ‘Back for Good’, ‘Patience’, ‘Never Forget’, and much more. This is also where Robbie Williams got his start in the music business, before venturing into a successful solo career of his own.
The band are performing their newly released album, ‘This Life’ on the tour. The album is described as a vibrant body of work with the, now trio, at their most confident musically. Join Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald as they welcome audiences to enjoy live performances of their latest work.
Cost: R855pp – R1 535+pp, book via Ticketmaster.
When: 22 Oct, from 8pm
Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
Kool & the Gang with the Earth, Wind and Fire Experience
Big Concerts presents two-time Grammy Award-winning, and platinum hit makers, Kool & the Gang, on tour in South Africa this 2024. Catch them live with special guests from the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay. Enjoy a night of old school melody presented to you by the artists responsible for hits like ‘Celebration’, ‘Get Down on It’, ‘Let’s go Dancing’ and ‘Cherish’. Witness the magic that resulted in Kool & the Gang receiving 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums.
The supporting act, The Earth, Wind and Fire Experience, is conceived and rehearsed by Al McKay, former member of the renowned Earth, Wind and Fire group. Performing alongside McKay is another former band member, Greg Moore, and other talents such as Tim Owens, DeVere Duckett, and Claude Woods.
Cost: R895pp – R3 320pp, book via Ticketmaster
When: 28 Nov, from 7.45pm
Where: Grand Arena, GrandWest, 1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Acacia Park, Cape Town
