Seen Here: South Africa, get ready to ride the WAV! 🌊 The countdown to one unforgettable summer celebration has officially begun, with WAV Festival adding a powerhouse of local talent to its 2027 line-up, joining international headliners Ty Dolla $ign and KWN. 🏁 Photo Credit: Supplied
South Africa’s summer festival calendar is getting a major boost as WAV Festival announces a fresh wave of artists for its 2027 edition, bringing Mafikizolo, TXC, Lordkez and more into the mix alongside international headliners Ty Dolla $ign and KWN. With Cape Town and Pretoria set to host two days of music, culture and summer energy, the festival is expanding its footprint while celebrating the sounds shaping contemporary R&B and African music.
South Africa is gearing up for a vibrant start to 2027, with WAV Festival unveiling an expanded line-up that promises to bring together international R&B, homegrown musical icons and some of the continent’s most exciting contemporary sounds.
Presented by Africa Creative Agency (ACA), WAV Festival returns to Cape Town on Saturday, 2 January 2027, before making its highly anticipated Pretoria debut on Sunday, 3 January 2027. The announcement adds a strong local flavour to a festival already headlined by American singer and rapper Ty Dolla $ign and rising international R&B star KWN.
Among the biggest names joining the Cape Town line-up is award-winning South African duo Mafikizolo, whose celebrated catalogue and distinctive blend of Afro-pop rhythms and contemporary African sounds have made them enduring favourites across generations.
Electronic music fans can also look forward to DJ sets from TXC, while internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Juls brings his genre-blending sound to the Cape Town event. They will be joined by DJ Loyd and Sir Vincent, adding further depth to a programme designed to move between R&B, African music and global club culture.
The expanded line-up reinforces WAV Festival’s ambition to create a distinctive summer experience where music, fashion and culture intersect.
Mafikizolo, TXC and a new generation of South African talent
Mafikizolo’s inclusion is a major highlight of the Cape Town programme. Known for their enduring hits, infectious rhythms and polished performances, the duo bring a catalogue that continues to resonate with audiences across South Africa and beyond.
Their appearance also reflects WAV Festival’s broader musical vision: connecting established artists with emerging voices and contemporary performers who are pushing the boundaries of African music.
Lordkez, Lusanda, Thando Zide and Xowie will add further variety to the Cape Town line-up, representing different shades of the country’s evolving musical landscape.
Lordkez has developed a distinctive space within South Africa’s alternative R&B scene, while Xowie brings a contemporary pop sensibility to the programme. Lusanda and Thando Zide further broaden the festival’s local offering, helping create a line-up that extends beyond a single genre or audience.
TXC’s appearance adds another dimension to the experience. The DJ duo have become prominent figures in South Africa’s dance music scene, bringing an energetic sound associated with the country’s evolving electronic and amapiano culture.
Juls, meanwhile, is known for moving across Afrobeats, African-inspired electronic music and international club sounds, making his set a natural fit for a festival built around musical crossover.
Together, these artists promise a Cape Town edition that moves fluidly between familiar favourites, contemporary R&B and dance-floor energy.
WAV Festival takes its sound to Pretoria
The festival’s expansion into Pretoria is another significant development for its 2027 edition.
Taking place on Sunday, 3 January, at SunBet Arena, the Pretoria event will bring WAV’s signature blend of international R&B and South African talent to a new audience.
Ty Dolla $ign and KWN will headline the Pretoria programme, joined by Lordkez, Lusanda and Xowie.
For Pretoria audiences, the event offers an opportunity to experience the festival without travelling to Cape Town, while marking a new chapter in WAV’s growth as a multi-city music experience.
The two-city format also gives the festival a broader reach at a time when live music events continue to play an important role in South Africa’s entertainment and cultural landscape.
Rather than simply replicating the same programme across both locations, WAV has announced distinct line-ups, with Mafikizolo, TXC, Juls, Thando Zide, DJ Loyd and Sir Vincent featuring in the Cape Town edition, while Pretoria receives its own curated selection of local performers alongside the international headliners.
Ty Dolla $ign and KWN lead the international charge
At the centre of WAV Festival 2027 are international headliners Ty Dolla $ign and KWN, whose inclusion underlines the event’s commitment to contemporary R&B and global music culture.
Ty Dolla $ign has built an international reputation through his melodic approach to hip-hop and R&B, high-profile collaborations and a catalogue spanning solo releases and major cross-genre hits.
KWN represents a newer generation of R&B talent, bringing a contemporary sound to a festival that aims to connect international artists with South African audiences.
Their presence, alongside a diverse local line-up, places WAV at the intersection of global R&B and African creativity.
For festivalgoers, that combination means a programme designed to offer more than a conventional concert experience. The festival’s identity centres on the connections between music, style, nightlife and shared cultural experiences.
Four tickets for the price of three
WAV Festival is also giving fans an incentive to attend with friends through a limited-time 4-for-3 ticket special.
The offer allows buyers to purchase four tickets while paying for three, making it an appealing option for groups planning to attend either event.
With performances spread across the first weekend of January, the festival is positioning itself as a summer highlight for music lovers looking to start the new year with live performances and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
Fans are encouraged to check the relevant ticketing platforms for availability and the terms of the promotion.
Everything you need to know about WAV Festival 2027
Cape Town
- Date: Saturday, 2 January 2027
- Line-up: Ty Dolla $ign, KWN, Mafikizolo, Lordkez, WizTheMc, Lusanda, Thando Zide, Xowie, TXC, Juls, DJ Loyd and Sir Vincent
- Tickets: Available through Howler
Pretoria
- Date: Sunday, 3 January 2027
- Venue: SunBet Arena
- Line-up: Ty Dolla $ign, KWN, Lordkez, Lusanda and Xowie
- Tickets: Available through Webtickets
The 4-for-3 ticket promotion is available for a limited time. Fans can follow @wav.festival on Instagram and TikTok for further announcements, ticket information and festival updates.
For more information, visit www.wavfestival.com.
A summer celebration of global sounds and African creativity
With Mafikizolo bringing their enduring hits to Cape Town, TXC adding dance-floor momentum and a new generation of South African artists sharing the stage with international headliners, WAV Festival 2027 is shaping up to be a celebration of musical diversity.
Its move into Pretoria adds further momentum, giving the festival an opportunity to connect with new audiences while building on its established Cape Town presence.
Ultimately, WAV’s appeal lies in its combination of global influence and local identity. By bringing R&B, African sounds, DJ culture and contemporary performance together, the festival is creating a space for different generations and musical communities to meet.
For fans planning their January entertainment calendar, WAV Festival 2027 is putting two cities, an expanded line-up and a distinctly South African summer atmosphere on the agenda.
The countdown to the WAV begins now.
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