Bassline Fest 2026: Vusi Mahlasela, Maleh, and Brandon Aura confirmed for 20th Anniversary Celebration
CityLife Arts Writer
The popular music festival Bassline Fest is back this year, and the lineup is exciting.
“ Bassline proudly announces the first-phase lineup for Bassline Fest 2026, featuring the legendary “Voice of South Africa” Vusi Mahlasela, Sotho-soul queen Maleh, and rising Afro-folk star Brandon Aura. The iconic festival returns to Constitution Hill Square on 23 May 2026, marking 20 years of Bassline’s dedicated championship of African music. Tickets are now available on Webtickets.”
“Entering our 32nd year as a company while celebrating 20 years of Bassline Fest on Africa Day is both humbling and electrifying. ” Says Bassline’s Brad Holmes. “For two decades, Bassline Fest has been a space where African excellence, creativity, and storytelling collide. It’s been an unbelievable journey—and we’re just getting started.”
The first-phase artists arrive at the festival at pivotal moments in their careers. Maleh will perform fresh off the mid-March release of her highly anticipated new album, while Vusi Mahlasela brings his new project, Questions and Answers (launching in April), to the historic stage. Zimbabwean-born Brandon Aura, a recent signee to the global powerhouse Empire, is tipped as the next major breakout star in the Afro-folk genre.
“I am happy to be part of The Bassline Africa Celebration Festival. I have long been a part of this celebration.” Says Vusi Mahlasela. ” I performed for the first time alongside Oliver Mtukudzi in 2006 and again in 2017. This is very important to me because while we embrace the spirit of Africa, we have one common living concept, which is Ubuntu. We have been celebrating the Bassline Africa Day Festival for 2 decades now, but I’m more into saying Africa should be celebrated every day. Africa has a rich history and stories, as it is told also through music, poetry, and films. Let’s join together and celebrate this beautiful Africa on the 23rd of May at Constitution Hill Square. SAY AFRICA !”
For Maleh Bassline Fest has always been one of the top main platforms in the city that celebrates African-inspired sounds and the spirit of Africa Month. Being part of the festival for the second time is an absolute honour. My music has always been rooted in reflecting the beauty of the continent, and this performance is a chance to celebrate my culture as a Mosotho on stage once again. It also comes at a special moment as I share my newly released Afro Gospel album, which continues my musical journey of fusing diverse African sounds and cultures but lyrically writing and expressing myself from a Christian perspective.”
“Being part of Bassline Fest for the first time feels like stepping into a living rhythm—one built by history, community, and a love for sound that deserves to be heard far beyond one stage.” says Brandon Aura.
At Bassline Fest there will also be a Culture Market: A curated craft, food and design market will showcase high-end, sustainable handmade goods from South African visual artists and makers
Date: 23 May 2026 | Gates open at 2 pm
Venue: Constitution Hill Square, Johannesburg
Access: Safe on-site parking and convenient e-hailing
Ticket Information: Tickets are available now via Webtickets. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to secure phased pricing:
Early Bird: R250 (Limited availability)
Webtickets link https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1587328167