Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town are pulling in more international music stars, according to a report by SAPeople. Each city offers concert fans a different kind of experience.
The report said Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa are the three main music markets in Africa. It said South Africa appears to be the top choice for global stars who want to reach African audiences.
Johannesburg has the biggest stage. FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City, is the largest stadium in Africa. It can hold 90,000 people.
SAPeople said the size of the venue puts Johannesburg on the map for artists who want to perform on a grand scale. It pointed to the upcoming J. Cole concert as an example of a big tour choosing Johannesburg.
Traffic remains a problem in the city. The report recalled the chaos around Chris Brown’s concert. It said the Gautrain offers another way to travel, but fans still need a connecting ride to the stadium.
OR Tambo International Airport is about 30 km from the stadium. The airport has its own Gautrain station, which links visitors to the city’s rail network.
Pretoria, known as the birthplace of Amapiano, is growing as an indoor concert city. SunBet Arena at Times Square has 8,500 seats.
The arena hosted Move Afrika, a Global Citizen event headlined by Doja Cat in 2026. Kendrick Lamar and H.E.R were listed as headliners of the Hey Neighbour Festival in the city.
The report said Amapiano drives Pretoria’s nightlife, with clubs such as Ayepyep and Zanzou. It said Lanseria International Airport can be a faster option than OR Tambo for fans flying in.
Cape Town has smaller venues but is known for its setting. SAPeople mentioned Kaytranada’s set at The Ostrich Ranch and Summer Walker’s show at Cloof Wine Estate.
The city missed out on stops by Chris Brown in 2024 and Travis Scott in 2025. Olivia Dean’s upcoming show in Cape Town has given local fans something to look forward to.
Cape Town has still hosted large concerts. Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran both performed at DHL Stadium, which holds about 55,000 people.
Other popular venues in the city include GrandWest Arena in Goodwood and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Kirstenbosch hosts the Summer Sunset Concerts against a mountain backdrop.
DHL Stadium is in Green Point, a short walk from the V&A Waterfront and the Sea Point Promenade. The report said the MyCiTi bus connects the inner city, the Atlantic Seaboard and Cape Town International Airport.
SAPeople said the MyCiTi bus is a safe and affordable choice for visitors. It said Uber is another option, especially for people travelling in pairs or groups.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAPeople. Image: SAPeople. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.