By Amanda Risi
MUIZENBERG, CAPE TOWN – This May long weekend, the Far South’s most respected songwriters and instrumentalists come together for South Shore Festival, a two-night celebration of roots music at the historic Masque Theatre on 1–2 May 2026.
With fourteen local bands and solo artists across two evenings, the festival forms a living tapestry of legends — honouring the art of the song and the musical spirit of the South Peninsula coast.
Presented by Shoreline Songs and the Cottage Club, South Shore Festival offers a curated cultural snapshot of a quietly thriving local music community — one grounded in storytelling, collaboration, and musical authenticity.
Designed as a deliberate antidote to the noise of the digital age, the festival creates a dedicated listening space, inviting audiences to connect more deeply with music as an art form and learn of the creative work that influences our everyday lives. For locals and visitors alike, it offers a rare opportunity to experience the unfiltered sounds of South African roots music in an intimate theatre setting.
“Our local poets, songwriters and instrumentalists are more than entertainers — they are cultural custodians,” says Amanda Risi of the Cottage Club. “This festival honours both our Deep South identity and our broader South African musical heritage, inviting audiences to experience music as a heartbeat that shapes identity, memory, and connection.”
A Powerhouse Line-up
The programme reflects the richness and diversity of the Far South music scene — spanning folk, blues, acoustic rock, Americana, and singer-songwriter traditions — with a strong emphasis on original work and collaboration. The festival culminates in a vibrant “Festival Jam” on Saturday evening.
Friday, 1 May (7pm):
Robin Auld · Tripolee · Old Dogs · Glen Wolter & The Porchlights · Mel Malisch Band · Dax Butler & The Fabulous Resentments · Jenny & James Hall & Neil Harvey
Saturday, 2 May (5pm):
John Ellis · Nick Turner with Jonny Blundell & Schalk Joubert · Jamie Jupiter with The Streaky Beats · Steve Walsh & Tonia Moller · Dave Starke · Alec Griffiths ‘Smoking Room’ · Rosie Bruce Band · Festival Jam.
Music with a Mission
The South Shore Festival is about more than music — in our listening and enjoyment, we recognise and support the musicians’ community itself: the songwriters, performers, and collaborators who give their time, creativity, and labour to enrich the cultural life of our country.
A portion of the festival’s proceeds will also be donated to TEARS Animal Rescue, to support their ongoing work in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming companion animals across the South Peninsula.
Booking Information
With the festival approaching, limited tickets are available:
Tickets: R350
Book via Quicket:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/359623-south-shore-festival/
Full Weekend Pass: R560 (20% discount)
Available exclusively via the Masque Theatre box office
Email: admin@themasque.co.za
Tel: 021 788 1898