From the visionary minds behind one of the world’s biggest music celebrations, Afro Nation, comes the birth of WAV Festival, an all-new cultural experience set to make its debut in Cape Town on 2 January 2026. Designed to honour R&B, soul, and alternative sounds, WAV promises to be more than a festival, but a movement, connecting rhythm, identity, and creative expression across continents.
Headlining this highly anticipated debut is Mariah the Scientist, the American R&B sensation whose hypnotic sound and chart-topping releases have earned her a devoted global following, and this marks her first-ever performance in South Africa.
But WAV isn’t just about the headliners. The festival’s supporting lineup celebrates some of Mzansi’s finest talent, including Kelvin Momo, the dynamic Shekhinah, Manana, Nanette, the incredible Jazz band Kujenga, and the Strictly Soul Hour featuring Akio and Yandani. Together, they’ll create a soulful sonic landscape that bridges the local and global, the established and the emerging.
Taking into consideration the massive success of Afro Nation, expectations are high, but with WAV Festival making its debut, there’s an undeniable sense of curiosity about what it will bring. The festival promises to offer something fresh and culturally resonant. While more details remain under wraps, what we can anticipate is an experience that merges sound, style, and community, the kind of creative collision that could redefine how South Africa celebrates live music.
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