Bassline music festival ready to rock Johannesburg

Those featured include Ami Faku, Vusi Mahlasela, Maleh and Brandon Aura, Constitution Hill 23 May, 2026.

By CityLife Arts Writer

Bassline Fest 2026, is taking place on 23 May 2026 at People’s Park, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. The 2026 line-up brings together a dynamic blend of Afro Pop and Afro Folk, featuring:l Ami Faku, Maleh, Vusi Mahlasela and Brandon Aura.

“Under the theme “Say Africa”, this year’s festival is a bold celebration of African music, culture, and connection,  bringing together some of South Africa’s most compelling voices in a powerful daytime experience designed for music lovers, families, and cultural explorers alike.” Says Bassline Fest’s Brad Holmes.

“This announcement reflects the strength of Bassline’s artist ecosystem, with all featured artists currently experiencing significant career momentum.” Holmes adds.

Maleh enters the festival off the back of a highly successful album release, strong streaming growth of 440k+ streams in ten countries across DSPs, and a packed  Market Theatre launch on the 28th of March .
Vusi Mahlasela prepares for a major album release on 22 May having released 2 singles already; Questions &Answers and Setšhu Sa Ditamati, while Brandon Aura builds anticipation toward his debut single “Run Boy” dropping on 15 May.
Ami Faku joins the line-up as one of South Africa’s most celebrated contemporary voices.

THE BASSLINE FEST EXPERIENCE : A LOVE LETTER TO JOHANNESBURG

Set against the iconic backdrop of Constitution Hill, Bassline Fest 2026 invites audiences into a uniquely Johannesburg experience, one that is as much about feeling as it is about music.

This year, the festival transforms People’s Park into a warm, open, and communal space where festivalgoers are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, camping chairs, and blankets, settling in for an afternoon of music, culture, and connection with the city skyline stretching out behind the stage.

“As a proudly Johannesburg-born brand, Bassline understands its audience. The shift to a daytime festival format, starting early and ending at sunset, reflects a conscious move away from late-night winter events, creating a more comfortable, accessible, and inclusive experience.” Explains Holmes. “It allows audiences to enjoy the festival in the warmth of the day, while also giving them the freedom to continue their evening elsewhere or return home comfortably.”

Bassline Fest is, at its heart, a celebration of Johannesburg, its people, its energy, and its role as a cultural meeting point for Africa. The festival experience extends beyond the stage, with a curated offering of African craft, food, and bespoke bar experiences, creating a vibrant marketplace that reflects the spirit of the city.

Now celebrating 20 years of Bassline Fest, and entering its fifth year in partnership with Castle Lite, the festival continues to deliver a world-class production standard — with sound and staging that match Johannesburg’s stature as a global cultural capital.

Importantly, Bassline Fest 2026 responds to the realities of the current economic climate. With affordable ticket pricing, the focus remains clear: to prioritise access, community, and shared cultural experience. It is a Joburg moment, a space to gather, to breathe, and to celebrate Africa, together.

NOT JUST ANOTHER FESTIVAL

Bassline continues its legacy as one of South Africa’s most important live music platforms with a major focus on development, with a 2026 track record that has already seen:

• Live Music Lab was fully subscribed within two weeks (a 3-month education on everything behind the artist). All trainees will be working at the Bassline Fest within their chosen skill.
• Rhythmic Clash, fully subscribed in three days ( talent search program), winners to be announced at the end of April

What’s next

Additional artists and Rhythmic Clash winners will be announced in the coming weeks.

Vusi Mahlasela

Vusi Mahlasela born 1965 is a globally acclaimed singer-songwriter, poet, andactivist. Known simply as ‘The Voice,’ he was raised and still resides in Mamelodi Township, where he first honed his poetic, optimistic lyrics that helped connect Apartheid-scarred South Africa with its promise for a better future. Vusi has toured globally and shared stages with icons like Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, and the Dave Matthews). His global impact and discography are something to be revered.   Vusi’s vast cultural contributions have been recognised with the prestigious National Order of Ikhamanga, President Ramaphosa’s “Ubuntu and Culture” award, a Lifetime Achievement Award (SAMA 2014), and multiple honorary doctorates. As Nobel-Laureate and author Nadine Gordimer once put it, “Vusi sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive. He is a national treasure and the gift that keeps on giving with his two latest singles already released and his full album Questions&Answerslaunching mid-May of 2026.

 Maleh

Lesotho-born singer-songwriter Maleh is one of Southern Africa’s most distinctive Afro-Soul voices. Rising to fame with the award-winning group Kaya, she went on to win a SAMA for Best African Adult Album with her acclaimed debut Step Child, featuring hits like Chimsoro and Under My Skin. Her global breakout You Make My Heart Go topped charts across Africa and Europe, earning recognition from The Guardian UK as a Top Five African Song. With her 2022 album Lerato Laka and a Basadi Women in Music Award, Maleh continues to fuse soulful storytelling with global rhythm and timeless artistry. November 2025 was the start of a new chapter for Maleh with the release of her single, “Dithapelo”. The song marks the beginning of an artistic and spiritual rebirth. “Dithapelo” (meaning “Prayers”) features Mzizi, a rising Basotho artist, whose vibrant contribution perfectly complements Maleh’s soulful voice which was undeniably evident at the successful release of her album and lauch at Market Theatre in March 2026. 

 Ami Faku

With a voice that commands the attention of any room she sings in, Ami Faku isa rare musical gem from the Eastern Cape that will undoubtedly be one of themost important voices to come out of South Africa in the twenty- tens.

“I want to create music that is uplifting and that everyone can relate to”

Ami Faku

Gifted with the ability to work with various musical genres, Ami Faku finds hersolace in the Modern Afro Pop genre. With influences from the likes of CaiphusSemenya, Daniel Caesar and Chronnix to mention a few, with a touch of herXhosa heritage, Ami Faku’s sound is unique and global and will resonate withcitizens from all walks of life.

Born and raised in the Eastern Cape in a township called Ezinyoka, Ami Fakurealized she could sing from a young age when she was obliged to sing atchurch. Her passion for music was fueled by a supportive family who kept hergoing even through 2 rejections at the pre-auditions of Idols SA. In 2016 AmiFaku decided to give the hopes of a music career one last shot when she auditionedfor The Voice SA where she successfully made it through the audition and weekly elimination rounds until she reached the Top 16 spot in 2017.

Ami Faku’s participation in The Voice SA opened a lot of doors for her which ledto finding a mentor and working with some of the top producers in SA. Throughher networking and her outstanding talent.

Brandon Aura bio Updated ( Empire signing, Folk Fest, Mozambique Music Market, ETC) Recording the track run as we speak for release in mid-May

 Brandon Aura

Singer • Songwriter • Multi-Instrumentalist • Producer

At just 25 years old, Brandon Aura is emerging as a compelling new voice inAfrican folk-pop. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, his music reflects arich blend of cultural influences, weaving indigenous folk textures with acousticsoul, gospel inflections, and Afro-acoustic rhythms. A dynamic multi-instrumentalistand producer, Brandon brings depth, intimacy, and emotional honesty to hissongwriting. His work explores themes of love, healing, identity, and self-discovery— creating music that resonates deeply with diverse audiences. Renowned for hismagnetic stage presence, often described as “the Aura,” Brandon’s performancesare marked by warmth, vulnerability, and a rare ability to connect authentically withlisteners. He has shared stages with leading artists including the Soweto GospelChoir, Mörda, and Vusi Mahlasela, earning exceptional audience responses. Witha growing digital footprint and a strong artistic vision, Brandon is set to release hisdebut single, “Hear Me Cry,” through EMPIRE in March 2026, followed by afull-length album later in the year. As his sound continues to evolve, Brandon Aurastands poised to become a defining voice in contemporary African music which was on strikingly evident at the Mozambique Music Meeting as well as the Folklore Festival in March 2026.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: Bassline Fest 2026 – Say Africa
Date: 23 May 2026
Venue: Constitution Hill – People’s Park
Doors Open: 12:00
Show: 13:00 – 20:00
Tickets: From R300 Webtickets ticket link (https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1587328167 )