Here's what to expect at the anticipated 2027 WAV Festival

• The WAV Festival is doubling its reach in 2027, bringing a massive multi-city experience to both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
• US R&B titan Ty Dolla $ign and British breakout star KWN lead an explosive international and local lineup.
• Mzansi music legends Mafikizolo will take centre stage as Cape Town headliners alongside a star-studded, multi-generational roster

South Africa's summer music calendar just got a serious upgrade. The WAV Festival has confirmed an expansive lineup for its 2027 edition, with the event stretching across two major cities for the first time as it builds on its growing reputation as the country's premier R&B celebration.

Organised by the Africa Creative Agency, WAV has built its identity around the concept of "R&B reimagined," blending global acts with homegrown talent to create a distinctly South African cultural experience. The 2027 instalment takes that vision further than ever before.

Cape Town kicks things off on Saturday, 2 January, with a lineup spanning generations of music. Legendary South African duo Mafikizolo will bring their iconic catalogue to the stage, representing the kind of timeless artistry that continues to resonate across age groups. Joining them are contemporary acts, including Lordkez and Xowie, while DJ sets from TXC and Juls promise to keep the energy alive well into the night.

Following singer Mariah the Scientist's performance earlier in the year, Ty Dolla $ign and KWN complete what promises to be one of the most eclectic and exciting lineups the festival has assembled.

Sunday showdown

The following day, Sunday, 3 January 2027, WAV makes its long-awaited Pretoria debut at the SunBet Arena. The Tshwane audience will get their own taste of the festival's signature sound, with Ty Dolla $ign and KWN once again headlining alongside a strong local presence set to give the capital city its own flavour of the weekend's celebrations.

To mark the occasion and reward fans who want to share the experience, WAV has introduced a 4-for-3 ticket promotion. Fans who buy four tickets will be charged for three, offering a strong incentive to plan the January weekend as a group outing. Cape Town tickets can be secured through Howler, while Pretoria tickets are available via Webtickets. Given the breadth of the lineup and the excitement already building, early booking is strongly advised.

With its 2027 edition, WAV Festival is positioning itself as more than a concert series. It is shaping up to be a cultural landmark on the South African entertainment calendar, one that brings together music, fashion, and urban culture under a single roof twice over.

See the WAV Festival lineup below.

Zee Nxumalo joins Milk + Cookies lineup

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to Zee Nxumalo being added to the Milk + Cookies Festival lineup.

The timeline erupted in cheers and anticipation as fans began the countdown to the anticipated event.

Source: Briefly News