Masego, Sunlight and Soul: Strictly Soul Gets It Right Again

There is something about a daytime show that changes the way live music is experienced. Strictly Soul‘s latest Johannesburg edition, headlined by Masego, embraced exactly that, delivering an event where the music, venue and atmosphere worked in perfect harmony.

The venue was one of the day’s biggest surprises. 4 Ways Farmer’s Market offered just enough room to fit a town and just enough character to compliment the curation of the day. It’s not everyday where you get a clear view of the sunset while being serenaded by a superstar like Masego. Watching the afternoon slowly turn into evening added a layer to the experience that made every set feel even more immersive. The thoughtful use of the space made moving around effortless while ensuring that there wasn’t a bad view of the stage.

On the other hand the quality of the production deserves equal praise. All of the line-up artists benefited from a clean, balanced sound mix that allowed vocals and live instrumentation to shine — a key detail that elevated the entire event.

An early standout performer was Sishii, delivering a performance that comfortably exceeded expectations. His confidence on stage and effortless vocals made it clear why he continues to be one of the country’s most exciting emerging artists in the space. Hearing songs like Either Way and little little things performed live only reaffirmed that belief.

The band Babble Hume on the other hand brought an entirely different energy with lead vocalist Earl’s stage presence immediately commanding the full attention of the crowd, but the entire band deserves credit. They aren’t simply musicians — they’re performers, turning every song into an experience that demanded the audience’s attention. SHAKE’A and Daffodils translated effortlessly from record to stage, with the band’s chemistry proving to be one of the afternoon’s highlights.

Between each performance, Yolophonik and Akio kept the feel and mood going and fully deserve their flowers. DJs are often reduced to time-fillers at live events, expected to simply bridge the gap between performances. Here, they were far more than that. Every interval set carried the momentum of the day forward, keeping the crowd engaged, dancing and fully invested while the stage was reset. There was never an opportunity for the energy to dip or boredom to creep in. Instead, the transitions felt like part of the experience itself, a testament to the curation that Strictly Soul has become known for.

Lusanda followed with a beautifully composed performance, sounding every bit as impressive as she looked. Her effortless vocal control and presence kept the momentum of the afternoon moving towards its inevitable climax, with Progress and When You’re Around reminding everyone why she’s one of the country’s most captivating voices.

Masego.

Calling him a talented musician almost feels like an understatement. Whether switching between singing, playing saxophone or simply engaging with the crowd, everything appeared effortless. His ability to move between genres while maintaining complete command of the audience is a reminder that he occupies a lane very few artists can.

Better yet, he gave the crowd exactly what they wanted, working through fan favourites while allowing each song room to breathe. Mystery Lady had the audience singing in unison, and by the time he closed the evening with Tadow, the atmosphere had reached its peak. More than anything, though, Masego looked like he was having genuine fun. His joy was infectious, and at times it genuinely felt like he was enjoying the show even more than the audience.

Strictly Soul has built a reputation for curating memorable live experiences, and this edition only strengthened that reputation. Great sound, an excellent venue, standout support acts and a masterclass from Masego combined to make for one of the year’s most enjoyable live music experiences.