Dlamini BlessingJohannesburg solidifies its reputation as Africa’s premier live music destination with a spectacular 2026 calendar, promising an extraordinary blend of returning global superstars, landmark local celebrations, and groundbreaking international tours making their South African debut. The city’s iconic venues, from the monumental FNB Stadium to the acoustically pristine Teatro, are set to host a year-defining array of performances that will cater to every musical taste.
This carefully curated preview highlights twenty of the most anticipated and significant concerts announced for 2026, offering music lovers a guide to the must-see events that will shape the cultural conversation and provide unforgettable sonic experiences in the City of Gold.
Top 20 Concerts in Johannesburg (2026): The Definitive Live Music Preview
Concert 1: The Chromatica Ball Tour – Lady Gaga at FNB Stadium
Marking a triumphant return after over a decade, this pop extravaganza promises a high-concept theatrical experience rooted in dance-pop and electronica.
Artist & Genre: Lady Gaga (Pop / Dance).
Venue & Scale: FNB Stadium. A full-scale stadium production for approximately 85,000 attendees, featuring the tour’s renowned elaborate stage design, fashion-art costumes, and intense choreography.
2026 Experience: This is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of identity and resilience. Fans can expect a career-spanning setlist, powerful vocal performances, and the immersive, boundary-pushing spectacle that defines Gaga’s live shows, making it a landmark pop event for the year.
Concert 2: Music of the Spheres World Tour – Coldplay at FNB Stadium
A return engagement due to unprecedented demand, this tour is renowned for its sustainability initiatives and visually stunning, joyful production.
Artist & Genre: Coldplay (Pop Rock / Alternative).
Venue & Scale: FNB Stadium. The tour’s innovative kinetic floors and wristband-led light shows will transform the stadium into a unified sea of colour for two sold-out nights.
2026 Experience: Attending this concert is a participatory environmental statement. The band’s anthemic hits, combined with a show designed for collective singing and a tangible message of hope, create a uniquely uplifting and communal live experience.
Concert 3: Kabza De Small & Friends: The Piano Republic Arena Experience
A definitive career-celebration event for the “King of Amapiano,” featuring an unprecedented gathering of the genre’s most vital collaborators.
Artist & Genre: Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and a roster of 15+ special guests (Amapiano).
Venue & Scale: SunBet Arena, Time Square. A state-of-the-art indoor arena hosting a 5-hour marathon set, with bespoke visuals celebrating a decade of Amapiano dominance.
2026 Experience: This is a historic gathering of the genre’s architects. Attendees will witness unique back-to-back sets, live vocal performances from a rotating cast of stars, and a sonic journey through the evolution of the sound that reshaped South African music.
Concert 4: The Final Symphony: A Tribute to Mandoza & Nothembi
A grand orchestral and contemporary concert honouring two foundational voices of Kwaito and Afro-Soul, featuring a 60-piece orchestra and original band members.
Artist & Genre: Tribute Concert (Kwaito / Afro-Soul). Headlined by special guest performers and the Mzansi Symphony Orchestra.
Venue & Scale: The Teatro at Montecasino. The world-class theatre provides the perfect acoustic setting to re-imagine these anthems with both grandeur and intimacy.
2026 Experience: This is an emotional, cultural preservation event. Hearing classics like “Nkalakatha” and “Ndihamba Nawe” performed with lush orchestral arrangements will offer a powerful, reflective celebration of legacy for a multi-generational audience.
Concert 5: Nasty C: Ivyson Army Tour Finale
The culminating show of the global Ivyson Army Tour, where the superstar rapper returns home to deliver a career-defining headline performance.
Artist & Genre: Nasty C (Hip-Hop / Rap).
Venue & Scale: Ellis Park Arena. An indoor arena setup allowing for a complex, theatrical stage design and pyrotechnics befitting an artist at the peak of his international powers.
2026 Experience: This concert signifies the arrival of a South African rap icon on the global stage. Expect a meticulously rehearsed show, special guest appearances, and a setlist showcasing his growth, serving as a victory lap for his most successful album cycle to date.
Concert 6: Burna Boy: Love, Damini 2026 African Odyssey
A special one-night-only festival-style event from the Afrofusion giant, expanding his arena show into a larger-than-life celebration with a full supporting lineup.
Artist & Genre: Burna Boy (Afrofusion / Afrobeats).
Venue & Scale: Johannesburg Expo Centre, NASREC. The vast space will be transformed to include multiple stages, VIP lounges, and immersive African-inspired art installations.
2026 Experience: This is a holistic cultural immersion. Beyond Burna Boy’s high-energy headline set, the event will feature a curated selection of pan-African artists, fashion, and food, positioning the concert as a destination festival celebrating modern African creativity.
Concert 7: U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at the Calabash
A legendary band presents an intimate, residency-style reinterpretation of their seminal album “Achtung Baby” in a rare, mid-sized venue engagement.
Artist & Genre: U2 (Rock).
Venue & Scale: The Calabash at Skyline. An exclusive, limited-capacity venue creating an unprecedented opportunity for fans to see the band in a focused, acoustically detailed environment.
2026 Experience: This is a collector’s item for rock enthusiasts. The stripped-back yet innovative staging will allow for deep cuts and storytelling, offering a radically different and personal perspective on one of rock’s most iconic bands.
Concert 8: Joyous Celebration: 30 Years of Gospel Excellence
A year-long series of concerts culminating in a mega-production at year’s end, celebrating three decades of the pioneering gospel collective.
Artist & Genre: Joyous Celebration (Gospel).
Venue & Scale: A series at The Teatro, culminating at the Ticketpro Dome. The finale will feature multiple choirs, a 100-voice ensemble, and generations of past soloists returning for a single night.
2026 Experience: This anniversary series is a pilgrimage for gospel lovers. The emotional weight of three decades of ministry through music, combined with powerhouse vocals and spiritual fervour, will make the finale one of the most significant local gospel events of the decade.
Concert 9: Hans Zimmer: The World of Hollywood Live
The acclaimed composer brings his breathtaking live concert experience to South Africa for the first time, featuring a full orchestra and band.
Artist & Genre: Hans Zimmer (Film Score / Classical Crossover).
Venue & Scale: The Teatro at Montecasino. The venue’s superb acoustics are ideal for the dynamic range and intricate details of Zimmer’s monumental scores from films like Inception, The Lion King, and Dune.
2026 Experience: This is a cinematic and musical epic. The power of hearing “Time” or “Mombasa” performed live by the maestro himself, with stunning visuals, offers a profoundly moving experience that transcends a typical concert, appealing to film and music fans alike.
Concert 10: Sam Smith: Gloria The Tour 2026
The soulful pop powerhouse returns with a tour promoting love, identity, and liberation, featuring a dazzling visual production and vocal mastery.
Artist & Genre: Sam Smith (Pop / Soul).
Venue & Scale: SunBet Arena. The indoor arena allows for an intimate connection despite the scale, with a stage design focused on elegance, powerful lighting, and Smith’s commanding stage presence.
2026 Experience: The concert is a celebration of vulnerability and strength. Smith’s flawless vocals, combined with a setlist of heartbreak anthems and joyful disco-infused tracks from *Gloria*, will create a safe, inclusive, and emotionally charged party atmosphere.
Concert 11: Die Antwoord: Final Ever Zef Side Show
The controversial and groundbreaking rap-rave duo announces a definitive farewell series, promising a no-holds-barred retrospective of their chaotic career.
Artist & Genre: Die Antwoord (Alternative Hip-Hop / Zef).
Venue & Scale: The Hillcrest Quarry. An raw, outdoor industrial venue that perfectly matches the group’s gritty, anarchic aesthetic for a single, massive farewell event.
2026 Experience: This is a historic, one-of-a-kind closing chapter for a uniquely South African phenomenon. Expect a fiercely energetic, visually shocking, and culturally resonant performance that will draw fans for a last taste of their distinctive brand of performance art.
Concert 12: Jonas Brothers: Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour
The pop-rock siblings bring their ambitious full-album tour to Johannesburg, playing a marathon setlist covering their entire discography.
Artist & Genre: Jonas Brothers (Pop Rock).
Venue & Scale: Ticketpro Dome. The dome’s configuration is ideal for a show with multiple stage extensions, ensuring good sightlines for a fanbase spanning from original devotees to a new generation.
2026 Experience: This concert is a comprehensive nostalgia trip and pop celebration. The marathon format guarantees deep cuts and fan favourites, delivering exceptional value and a night of non-stop, sing-along pop-rock anthems for families and long-time followers.
Concert 13: Black Coffee: Homecoming at The Pit
An exclusive, underground-inspired event where the global house icon returns to his roots for an extended, intimate DJ set.
Artist & Genre: Black Coffee (House / Afrotech).
Venue & Scale: The Pit in Newtown. A legendary, raw venue that captures the essence of Johannesburg’s underground electronic scene, with a strictly limited capacity.
2026 Experience: This is a rare opportunity for purists. Stripped of the large-scale production, the focus will be entirely on Black Coffee’s masterful, nuanced mixing and track selection, offering a deeply authentic and connected dance music experience.
Concert 14: Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin: Kingdom World Tour
A groundbreaking collaborative tour between the pioneering gospel collective and the iconic choir leader, merging contemporary worship with traditional gospel fervour.
Artist & Genre: Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Contemporary Gospel / Worship).
Venue & Scale: Johannesburg Stadium. The open-air stadium will accommodate the tens of thousands expected for this spiritually charged, multi-generational worship event.
2026 Experience: This concert will be a dynamic, spirit-filled gathering. The blend of Maverick’s spontaneous, intimate worship and Franklin’s explosive, choir-driven showmanship will create a powerful, joyous, and transformative live gospel experience.
Concert 15: Stormzy: This Is What I Mean 2026
The UK grime and hip-hop superstar makes his long-awaited South African debut, bringing his critically acclaimed album to life with a full live band.
Artist & Genre: Stormzy (Grime / UK Hip-Hop).
Venue & Scale: The Oasis at Montecasino. An outdoor stage setup allowing for a large crowd while maintaining the intensity and connection crucial for his performance style.
2026 Experience: This highly anticipated debut is a major moment for the local hip-hop community. Expect a powerful, politically charged, and emotionally raw performance that blends aggressive bars with soulful melodies, showcasing why he is a defining voice of a generation.
Concert 16: Esibi: The 20-Year Festival
A massive, day-long festival celebrating 20 years of the seminal Sowetan cultural hub and record label, featuring every artist who shaped its legacy.
Artist & Genre: Festival (House, Kwaito, Afro-Soul). Featuring the legendary owner, DJs, and live acts from the Esibi roster across three stages.
Venue & Scale: Outdoor Festival at Dorothy Nyembe Park, Soweto. A homecoming celebration in the heart of the community that bred the iconic venue’s sound.
2026 Experience: This is a profound homecoming and historical document. It’s a living museum of Soweto’s nightlife and musical evolution from the mid-2000s, offering unmatched authenticity and a deep sense of community and shared history.
Concert 17: Andrea Bocelli: Believe in Christmas Tour
The legendary tenor brings his annual holiday tour to South Africa for the first time, offering a programme of sacred songs, classic arias, and festive favourites.
Artist & Genre: Andrea Bocelli (Classical Crossover / Opera).
Venue & Scale: The Teatro at Montecasino. The only venue in the country with the acoustic purity and architectural grandeur suitable for such a prestigious vocal event.
2026 Experience: This is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural event. Bocelli’s peerless voice, accompanied by a full orchestra and special guests, in the perfect acoustic setting, will be a magnificent, spiritually uplifting occasion that transcends the typical concert format.
Concert 18: A-Reece & The Wrecking Crew: Paradise 2 Tour
The revered lyricist presents his most ambitious live show to date, featuring a live band and theatrical elements to interpret his introspective album.
Artist & Genre: A-Reece (Hip-Hop).
Venue & Scale: The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. The theatre’s intimate setting and excellent sound will magnify the poetic detail and emotional depth of his storytelling.
2026 Experience: This concert is for the hip-hop purist. It’s a focused, lyrical journey that demands and rewards close attention, showcasing the art of rap as sophisticated poetry and cementing A-Reece’s status as a writer’s writer.
Concert 19: Karol G: Mañana Será Bonito Stadium Show
The reggaetón superstar capitalises on her global breakthrough with a full-scale stadium show, marking a new era for Latin music in South Africa.
Artist & Genre: Karol G (Reggaetón / Latin Pop).
Venue & Scale: FNB Stadium. A historic booking, making her one of the first female Latin headliners to solo sell out a stadium of this size in South Africa.
2026 Experience: This is a vibrant, high-energy dance party celebrating female empowerment and Latin rhythm. The infectious beats, colourful production, and Karol G’s charismatic performance will deliver a festive, unifying spectacle that expands Johannesburg’s musical palate.
Concert 20: The Indigo Voyage: An Ambient Electronic Experience
An immersive overnight concert at the Johannesburg Planetarium, featuring a lineup of local and international ambient and electronic producers.
Artist & Genre: Experimental Electronic (Ambient, Downtempo). Curated by a leading local electronic music institute.
Venue & Scale: The Planetarium at the University of Johannesburg. The full-dome visual projections will be synced to the live music, creating a fully immersive audio-visual environment.
2026 Experience: This is a pioneering, meditative event. Attendees will recline under the digital starscape as sound and light blend seamlessly, offering a revolutionary concert format focused on introspection, sonic exploration, and sensory immersion.
What To Remember
The 2026 concert calendar in Johannesburg promises a year of historic moments, emotional homecomings, and spectacular international showcases. To secure access, fans are advised to sign up for official artist and venue newsletters for presale information, as demand for these events will be exceptionally high. With this diverse and rich line-up, Johannesburg reaffirms its position not just as a tour stop, but as a essential global music capital.