In the tapestry of South African sound, House music is not merely a genre; it is our heartbeat. It is the lineage from which Kwaito, Gqom, Amapiano, and the emerging 3-Step wave have all drawn breath. This year, Red Bull Symphonic pays homage to this heritage with a historic first: two titans, one stage, and a full-scale symphonic orchestra.
On 13 June 2026, the outdoor arena at Montecasino will witness Sun-El Musician and Dlala Thukzin reimagining their vast catalogues under the baton of maestro Chad Hendricks. Titled Afro House, Our Home, the 2026 edition is a celebratory shift from Amapiano back to the foundational roots that define our sonic identity.
The Visionary and the Voltage
The pairing of Sun-El Musician and Dlala Thukzin is a study in sonic contrast.
Sun-El Musician represents the transcendent, soulful side of the movement. A platinum-certified visionary whose debut Africa to the World reached Apple Music’s Top 200 Electronic Albums globally, Sun-El crafts “generational anthems.” For him, this performance is a moment of deep connection. “It feels like the right space for where I am right now,” he notes, “sharing something real for the people to feel.”
Conversely, Dlala Thukzin is the raw voltage of the dance floor. Hailing from Lamontville, Durban, Thukzin has spent years forging a Gqom-rooted, genre-fusing sound that has amassed over 368 million streams. With his reputation as one of the country’s most electrifying performers, Thukzin is ready to merge his energy with the classical world. “Coming together to produce this show is quite exciting,” he shares. “We aim to put up a great show for everyone.”
The Architect of the Sound
Tasked with weaving these distinct worlds into a single orchestral performance is Chad Hendricks. As the resident Conductor of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic and a youngest-ever winner of South Africa’s national Conductors Competition, Hendricks is a specialist in boundary-defying collaboration. From conducting for Andrea Bocelli to working with legends like Thandiswa Mazwai, Hendricks brings a cross-genre fluency that is uniquely and proudly South African.
The Event Details
As we look toward the winter season, this outdoor symphonic experience promises to be the definitive cultural event of the year.
