WAV Festival, the highly anticipated, first-of-its-kind R&B-focused music festival in Cape Town, has concluded its inaugural event with resounding success, cementing its place as a new cultural landmark on the African continent. Held on 2 January 2026 at the Green Point Track, the festival drew an ecstatic crowd of over 8,000 attendees, united under the theme R&B reimagined.
Marking a major milestone for African music culture, WAV Festival is the result of a joint venture between Africa Creative Agency (ACA) and The Malachite Group (TMG), whose shared vision, investment, production and creative leadership brought the festival to life. Together, a premium platform dedicated to celebrating R&B, soul and contemporary music on African soil, has come to life and positions Cape Town as a global destination for world-class music experiences.
The debut event was a powerful showcase of global sound meeting local soul, delivering an unforgettable experience that set a new benchmark for music festivals in South Africa. From the scale of production to the depth of curation, the overwhelming turnout and electric atmosphere underscored the strong demand for a dedicated R&B platform in South Africa and across the continent.
Presented by Afro Nation, WAV Festival was delivered in partnership with Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Spotify, YFM and Rose’s, whose collective support enhanced the festival’s premium lifestyle offering, immersive brand experiences and cultural relevance, contributing to the event’s standout debut.
The festival’s success was anchored by a meticulously curated lineup featuring some of the most compelling voices in R&B and soul. Headlining the main stage was the critically acclaimed Mariah The Scientist, who delivered a mesmerizing performance. The bill also featured British-Colombian artist Sasha Keable, rising star Isaiah Falls, and a special guest appearance by hip-hop icon Wale, whose set further elevated the global appeal of the festival.
WAV Festival also proudly spotlighted South African excellence. Amapiano heavyweight Kelvin Momo delivered a standout cross-genre moment as a special guest, while R&B and soul powerhouses Shekhinah, Langa Mavuso, Manana, Nanette with special guest Xowié, Lia Butler, Yandani, Strictly Soul fat. Akio, Flygerian and jazz-fusion collective Kujenga captivated audiences throughout the day.
Guiding the energy of the festival were charismatic hosts Claudia Naisabwa and Olly Zondi, whose dynamic on-stage presence, pan-African flair and infectious enthusiasm kept the crowd engaged between performances, reinforcing WAV Festival’s celebration of unity, culture and creativity.
“WAV Festival was more than just a concert; it was a cultural moment,” said Kevin Boakye, Co-Founder of Africa Creative Agency. “To see over 8,000 fans come together to celebrate R&B in this way is a testament to the genre’s power and the appetite for world-class music experiences in Cape Town. Partnering with The Malachite Group allowed us to bring this vision to life at scale, and this is only the beginning.”
With a sold-out debut, strong cultural resonance and global attention, WAV Festival signals a bold new chapter for live music on the continent – promising an even bigger and bolder return in the years to come.
