(Johannesburg, South Africa – May 2025) — South African fans have sparked a surprise global moment for US band The Strike, as their new single “The Getaway” hits #2 on the South African Spotify Viral Chart—driven entirely by organic streaming.
Without any formal promotion or airplay in South Africa, The Strike saw a sudden surge in local streams on Spotify and Apple Music, with South Africa emerging as the band’s second-biggest market worldwide for “The Getaway.” The track, with its cinematic energy and retro-pop sound, has clearly struck a chord with South African listeners.
Lead singer Chris Crabb says,
“We were blown away when we saw what was happening in South Africa. It’s such a beautiful thing to see fans connecting with the music purely on their own—and we’re incredibly grateful for the support coming from SA.”
Known for their arena-sized choruses and electric live performances, The Strike blends soaring vocal melodies, pulsing synthesizers and 80s-inspired percussion to create a bold pop/rock fusion. The group has built a reputation as a must-see live act, selling out shows across North America and opening for global icons including Carly Rae Jepsen and The Fray.
The band’s latest album, A Dream Through Open Eyes, released through Nettwerk in late 2024, has been a fan-fuelled triumph, helping grow their audience by over 25,000 new followers and more than 100 million streams across platforms. Their music was recently spotlighted by John Mayer, who added their song “Just Like Paradise” to his SiriusXM show Life With John Mayer.
With South Africa now firmly on the radar, the band is looking at how best to engage their growing SA fanbase—including exploring potential tour dates, radio appearances, and local collaborations.
“We’d love to come and play in South Africa,” says Crabb. “The energy we’re seeing online from fans there is incredible. It feels like the start of something really special.”
Listen to “The Getaway” now on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major platforms.
Watch the visualiser here:The Strike – The Getaway (Official Visualizer)
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