Back by popular demand are: Freshlyground, Arno Carstens, Mango Groove, Jimmy Nevis, The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Mi Casa, The Soil, Cape Town Folk 'n Acoustic Music Festival, Goldfish, The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
There are some interesting duos in the mix including Shortstraw and The Plastics who share the stage as do Matthew Mole and Rubber Duc. Al Bairre and Bye Beneco and Zebra & Giraffe and Monark as well as the energising Karen Zoidwith Francois van Coke are all bound to please.
Launching the season (22 November) is Freshlyground with a ten year track record on South African and international stages. Their ascension was rapid - they became a household name in South Africa in 2004 with the release of the smash-hit album Nomvula, and every album released since has generated at least one radio hit.
On 29 November a concert will delight fans of singer/songwriter Zonke Dikana who will be making her debut at Kirstenbosch with her 'melodic medication' for soul. She has received many SAMA awards including Best Live DVD in 2014 and she was also awarded most gifted female in 2013 for her hit "Give 'n Take Live".
The 6 December concert sees the ever popular Arno Carstens return to the stage to wow the audience. Arno has had over 20 top ten singles, won five South African Music Awards and shared the stage with legends of the music world including U2, The Rolling Stones and REM.
Another SA sensation Mango Groove is back to perform on 13 December. Mango Groove and lead singer Claire Johnston have a career that spanned a turbulent time in South Africa's history. Their first single went multi platinum in 1989 and they have since become a household name in this country.
Jimmy Nevis is set for another successful performance on December 27. This young, alternative pop singer/songwriter and producer is renowned for his quirky lyrics, acoustic tones and catchy melodies which have captured fans internationally.
What better way to bring the New Year in than with Jeremy Loops and opening act Grassy Spark. These South African favourites bring their own special recipe for bringing in 2016 with a bang! This feel good concert will have people on their feet and screaming for more.
Kirstenbosch welcomes back The Parlotones on 3 January 2016. Over the past 11 years The Parlotones have become South Africa's most accomplished rock band of all time.
On 10 January the ever popular Prime Circle returns to Kirstenbosch stage. After 13 years of making waves as one of South Africa's most successful rock acts, the five-piece is back with 'Let the Night In', a new studio album infused with fresh creative energy and a new edge to the distinctive Prime Circle sound.
On 17 January Karen Zoid and Francois van Coke offer their unique styles to the audience and will be performing their new duo "Toe vind ek jou" which has reached over 700 000 views on Youtube to date.
Mi Casa will be performing on 24 January. This band consists of three unique individuals who bring their explosive talent together to create a soulful sound. They released their second award winning album "Su Casa" in 2013 to critical acclaim. Mi Casa have just returned from an extensive successful international tour.
Ending off the concerts for January will be The Soil on 31 January. The four member a-capella group have had great success internationally Defined as Kasi Soul, the group's music features (in a contemporary township style), an eclectic mix of musical genres such as jazz, hip hop, Afro-pop and Afro-soul.
Moving into February and music fans can enjoy the 8th instalment of the Cape Town Folk 'n Acoustic Music Festival on 7 February with an incredible line-up of South African folk and acoustic artists. The evening is set to be an experience of the finest musical storytelling from the personal journeys of Kahn Morbee [Parlotones], Donovan Copley [Hot Water], BlackByrd, Farryl Purkiss, Rory Eliot [Plush] Natasha Meister, Blues Broers, Touchwood, Manouche, Basson Laubscher, Crimson House, Fruit Vendor and more.
Make a date for February 14 as the ever popular Matthew Mole and newcomer to Kirstenbosch Rubber Duc offer their unique styles to the audience. Since hatching in late 2013, Rubber Duc has taken the South African music scene by storm, and somewhat by surprise! Their very first single, "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That" hit the charts at full flight and peaked at the number 2 spot on 5FM and East Coast Radio and made the top 10 on several other radio stations. Matthew Mole's debut album "The Home We Built' entered the top of the itunes chart on its release, making Mole the country's first artist ever to achieve this. He played every instrument besides the strings, including ukulele, banjo, organ, piano, guitars, drums and umpteen percussive instruments. This Album received numerous award nominations and Matthew Mole has since spent the last year touring and recording internationally.
Goldfish takes the stage on 21 February, bring a spectacular and eclectic genre-defying mix of live instruments, deliciously groovy house beats, trip-hop infused vocals and a searing live performance to the sometimes robotic and formulaic world of electronic music.
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra's annual performance is taking place on 28 February and this time they will be focusing on opera , bringing overtures, arias, duets and popular excerpts from operas by Rossini, Verdi, Glinka, Wagner, Bizet, Saint Saence, Khachaturian and Mascagni. Soprano Goitsemang Lehobye and tenor Lukhanyo Moyake will be the soloists and the orchestra will be conducted by Brandon Phillips.
Shortstraw and The Plastics are the first act of March, on 6 March. This will be the Kirstenbosch debut for The Plastics who are renowned for their Psychedelic Indie Pop. Winner of MK Award for Best Indie in 2013 , Shortstraw are undoubtedly making waves on the national indie music scene in a big way. With their simple melodies and catchy rhythms and often unexpectedly brilliant lyrics, the band has taken pleasure in rocking the most prominent live music venues and clubs in the country and is well known for getting the crowd dancing!
On 13 March Al Bairre and Bye Beneco join forces. Al Bairre is a Cape Town based, 4-piece Symphonic Indie pop band, who combine cello, violin, guitars, keys, ukelele and drums. They have recently returned from their first UK tour and have enjoyed radio success with singles like "Bungelow" and "Caviar Dreams". The sound that is Bye Beneco has stemmed from a multitude of musical styles. Its organic composition, layered sounds and beautiful, evocative vocals are at the essence of their music.
Heading into the end of the month on 20 March enjoy Zebra & Giraffe and Monark. Having dominated the South African airwaves with their first two singles, Smiling (5FM Top three) and Build It Up (5FM Top five, and #1 on Jacaranda FM, Highveld/KFM, Algoa FM, OFM), Monark recently released their third single, building up to the release of their debut album Negatives. The album, which was released worldwide on 14 July 2014, peaked at number one on the iTunes Album Chart on its release day. In the 6 years since Zebra & Giraffe performed their first show, the band have headlined all of South Africa's major festivals, toured the length and breadth of the country and supported international acts The Killers, Snow Patrol, Oasis, Sum41, Prodigy and Panic at the Disco. This multiple-SAMA-award-winning band released their fourth album "Knuckles" late last year.
End the month on a high note with Beatenberg and John Wizard on 27 March, with a first time performance at Kirstenbosch for John Wizard. Beatenberg is a fresh new face in pop music from Cape Town. Beatenberg is showing that it is possible to make music on one's own terms, whilst simultaneously achieving great success. This year they won six SAMA awards including the award for Best Pop Album, Group of the Year and Album of the Year. Cape Town band John Wizards can be described as a mix of R&B, Soukous, Afropop, Reggae, House, Shangaan Electro and Dub.
The season closes with a duo of new performers at Kirstenbosch on 3 April. December Streets and The Vanilla. Known for their invigorating performances and fresh indie flavour, December Streets is an Indie-Pop-Rock group from Pretoria. Over the past few years, the band has moulded their sound into an explosion of addictive melodies combined with mature song-writing that captures their high energy, fun and soul with an added layer of depth. The Vanilla is a 4-piece feel-good pop band from Cape Town. The Vanilla always had an immense love for radio pop and figured their new project should be a natural extension of something they cherish. The band's message is centred around good energy, having a great time and sharing a positive outlook on life. They aim to make you smile, but they definitely make you dance!
Book your tickets through www.webtickets.co.za.
The season runs from 22 November 2015 to 3 April 2016.The Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town on Sundays:
Gates open 16h00
Concerts start 17h30 and ends at 19h00
Ticket prices range between R110and R175 for adults. The special Youth Ticket (6-21 yrs) will also be retained (ranging from R80 to R140)
For further information and ticket prices: call 021 799 8783 or www.sanbi.org.za
Ticket office sales start from the Tuesday preceding each concert if there are still tickets available.
