Red Bull Symphonic is in the books and it was EPIC! In a genre-defining first, Sun-El Musician and Dlala Thukzin became the first two headliners ever to share a single Red Bull Symphonic stage, joining forces with Maestro Chad Hendricks and a full symphonic orchestra for a breathtaking celebration of Afro House across two sold out nights.
Red Bull Symphonic is in the books an it was EPIC! In a genre-defining first, Sun-El Musician and Dlala Thukzin became the first two headliners ever to share a single Red Bull Symphonic stage, joining forces with Maestro Chad Hendricks and a full symphonic orchestra for a breathtaking celebration of Afro House across two sold out nights.
In 2026, we turned the page. After celebrating Amapiano, this edition paid homage to the genre that started it all: house music — South Africa's musical home. From Kwaito to Gqom to Amapiano to 3-Step, house has birthed every wave that's shaped our sound. This year, we celebrate Afro House and present its future.
Born Sanele Sithole in the KwaZulu-Natal Highlands, Sun-El Musician is one of South Africa's most visionary Afro-house producers — known as much for his unmistakable sound as for his golden ears in spotting talent.
His debut album Africa to the World landed on Apple Music's Top 200 Electronic Albums Worldwide, earned over 50 million streams, and announced a new sonic direction for African electronic music. Multiple SAMA wins followed — across Album of the Year, Best Newcomer, Best Dance Album, and Collaboration of the Year — for tracks like "Akanamali" (with Samthing Soweto) and "Into Ingawe" (with Ami Faku).
His 31-track second album cemented his reach: "Ubomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki) held the number one spot on SA radio for seven weeks and ranked second among Apple Music's Top Tracks of 2020, while "Uhuru" was selected for NPR's Top 100 Songs of the same year. The attention of Black Coffee (a vocal admirer) and Swizz Beatz (who invited him to collaborate in 2018) confirmed his global standing.
Through his label EL World Music — run alongside his brother Sandile — Sun-El has championed the next generation of SA voices, including Simmy and Ami Faku, with the label's Red Box Sessions on YouTube becoming a beloved platform in its own right. With over 323 million streams, 1 million monthly Spotify listeners, and a playlist reach of 65 million, his sound is pure elevation: dreamy, grounded, and unmistakably global.
Dlala Thukzin
Dlala Thukzin performs live at Red Bull Symphonic Johannesburg 2026
Straight out of Lamontville, Durban, Dlala Thukzin has been commanding dance floors since the age of 12. His signature Gqom-rooted, genre-fusing energy has produced gold-certified anthems like "Phuze Remix" and "iPlan," and collaborations with Babes Wodumo, DJ Tira, and Def Jam Africa have cemented his role in shaping the future of South African dance music.
A studio wizard and crowd-controller in equal measure, Thukzin's sound is always bold, dynamic, and deeply connected to the streets. Awards for Best House Record and Best Producer back up what any crowd already knows: you don't just listen to Thukzin — you feel him.
Chad Hendricks — The Conductor
Chad Hendricks leads orchestra at Red Bull Symphonic Johannesburg 2026
Chad Hendricks is the Resident Conductor of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. His journey began in the New Apostolic Church and led to formal studies at the University of Cape Town, where he completed a BMus (2015) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Conducting Performance (cum laude, 2019).
In 2016, Hendricks became the youngest winner of the national South African Conductors Competition, earning an internship with The Philadelphia Orchestra and study at Northwestern University under Maestro Victor Yampolsky. He has since appeared with the Mzansi Philharmonic, Cape Town Philharmonic, and numerous ensembles across South Africa, and held a touring residency as music director and chef d'orchestre in Paris and across Europe in 2022.
His collaborations span Andrea Bocelli, UB40, and Peaches & Herb to Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Thandiswa Mazwai, The Soweto Gospel Choir, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo — bridging classical craft with the pulse of South African music.
The Orchestra
Chad Hendricks and Orchestra ignite Red Bull Symphonic in Johannesburg
The Red Bull Symphonic Orchestra is a collective of world-class musicians united by a single vision: a modern orchestra that breaks convention, transcends genre, and pushes orchestral music into bold new territory.
Its members have shared stages with international icons and South African legends alike — from Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Angelique Kidjo to Hugh Masekela, Brenda Fassie, Kalawa Jazmee artists, and Kabza De Small.
Classically trained but driven by reinvention, the orchestra fuses Western symphonic tradition with South African musical heritage — weaving indigenous instruments and styles into a sound that celebrates the country's rich, diverse soundscape.
Through barrier-breaking collaborations and a dynamic, evolving repertoire, the Red Bull Symphonic Orchestra continues to reimagine what an orchestra can be — in South Africa and beyond.
The Choir - Vocal hue
Dlala Thukzin and Choir ignite Red Bull Symphonic in Johannesburg 2026
Vocal hue is a contemporary vocal choir built on the belief that every voice has its own unique hue. By embracing the individuality of each singer, the collective creates layered, expressive harmonies that are both cohesive and distinct. With a repertoire influenced by jazz, r&b, soul, and contemporary music, vocal hue offers a fresh and intentional approach to choral performance.
The Poet - Lebohang Masango
Lebohang Masango captivates at Red Bull Symphonic Johannesburg 2026
