Afropunk

Solange Knowles, Miguel and Masego are part of the Afropunk 2019 line-up. Photo: Twitter / Solange Knowles

What you need to know about ringing in the new year at Afropunk 2019

The Afropunk Festival is where it’s at to cross over into 2020. Here’s what you need to know about the Johannesburg festival.

Afropunk

Solange Knowles, Miguel and Masego are part of the Afropunk 2019 line-up. Photo: Twitter / Solange Knowles

Most of us have heard of the Afropunk Festival, but if you haven’t, that’s okay because you’re about to get the full low-down on the popular event. 

After this read, you will know how many people you’ll be bumping shoulders with, who you can expect to see live, and where to stuff your face at the well-oiled machine of Afropunk, in Johannesburg. 

What is the Afropunk Festival? 

According to Joburg.co.za, for many years the Afropunk Festival has been a defining cultural event in the music world – a celebration of multiculturalism and diversity for individuals of all races, genders, beliefs and tastes.

The festival offers homegrown and international musical talent across all genres, as well as plenty of art, culture, food and style.

When and where is Afropunk 2019? 

The Afropunk Festival 2019 kicked off on Monday 30 December and will continue to Tuesday 31 December, so if you’re not there already, you should better get moving.

Where, you ask? The party of a lifetime is hosted at Constitution Hill (11 Kotze Street), in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Who’s on the line-up 

The 2019 festival boasts a wide variety of international and local artists. 

Local artists at Afropunk 2019:

  • Busiswa;
  • Distruction Boyz;
  • Sho Madjozi;
  • Rico Nasty;
  • Zoe Modiga;
  • Morena Leraba;
  • Darkie Fiction;
  • TCIYF;
  • Umlilo;
  • DBN Gogo;
  • Gina Jeans;
  • Lelowhatsgood; and
  • Fif_Laaa.

International artists at Afropunk 2019: 

  • Solange;
  • Miguel;
  • Masego;
  • Goldlink; and
  • Nao.

Battling it out at Afropunk

Sign up for the Battle of the Bands to wow Jozi as an artist in your own right.

Every year Afropunk seeks to uncover the best new talent. The prize? A spot on the main stage. Ready to take your music to the people? Want to vote on who’s next? You can sign up on their website. 

If that’s not enough for your soul, there are also Solution Sessions to bring together the people with the tools, the experience and the resolve to solve the issues facing our community. An event-based platform and content series, Solution Sessions engages social activists, experts, and entrepreneurs.

Markets at Afropunk 

First up is the SpinThrift Market – a celebration of DIY culture; a thoughtfully curated marketplace where shoppers and craftspeople make meaningful connections. 

Goods range from one-of-a-kind jewellery, natural beauty products, bespoke accessories and apparel, houseware, books, affordable art and much more. Many of the vendors merge the rich history of African art and textiles into their crafts.

Taken from the Afropunk website, there is also the Hair and Beauty Village which explores all the facets of black hair through the eyes of creators, innovators, visionaries and artists to manifest conversation, creativity and community. 

Food at Afropunk 

If there’s one thing you won’t have to worry about, it’s The Bites&Beats Food Festival, which is essentially an event within the event, combining tastes from around the world with food trucks and pop-up restaurants. Try something hot. Try something cold, spicy, or sweet – try it all.

Can you still get tickets and at what price? 

According to the Afropunk website, unfortunately, all tickets have been sold out. They did cost between R600 and R2 900 per person.

We hope that you are one of the lucky people with a ticket…