South Africa · Afro-fusion · European tour 2027
FRESHLYGROUND
A celebrated return. A new chapter for 2027.
A new voice.
The same irresistible spirit.
After more than six weeks across Europe in summer 2026, Freshlyground return in 2027 with a live show embraced by audiences and reviewers alike. New lead singer Mbali Makhoba has made this chapter her own — bringing fresh presence to the band’s much-loved songs and the new album Take Me Home.
Europe 2026 → Back for 2027
A return you can hear.
A presence you can feel.
More than six weeks on the road. A new lead singer stepping into her own. And audiences finding fresh reasons to fall in love with Freshlyground.
Across European clubs and festival stages in July and August 2026, Mbali Makhoba brought her own voice and personality to the band. New songs from Take Me Home stood alongside the favourites, carried by the warmth, rhythmic energy and shared movement of a band enjoying its renewed connection with the crowd.
Reviewers in Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and at WOMAD heard a confident new chapter: a commanding frontwoman, a tightly connected ensemble and a show that drew people into the music.
Freshlyground return to Europe in 2027 with that summer behind them — and much more to share.
Enquire about the 2027 tour ↗On the road · July–August 2026
Zeltival · Kulturzentrum Tollhaus — KarlsruheRudolstadt Festival · Heinepark — RudolstadtFrannz Club — BerlinTropical Pressure Festival — PorthtowanSommerfestival der Kulturen — StuttgartAfro-Latino Festival · Thor Park — GenkTolhuistuin — AmsterdamSommerpalast — MurrhardtWOMAD — WiltshireJazz Café — LondonBardentreffen — NurembergLittle Big Festival — LichtensteigWeinturm Open Air — Bad WindsheimAfrican Music Festival — EmmendingenFLOSS Festival — BaselWorpswede Music Hall — WorpswedeMela Festival — Oslo
Tour itinerary: Freshlyground · 2 July–16 August 2026
The press on the 2026 tour
A new chapter. Heard and felt.
Meet Freshlyground
The sound of
coming together.
Afro-pop melodies, township rhythms, the warmth of soul and the freedom of jazz. Music made to move people — in every sense.
Formed in Cape Town in 2002, Freshlyground brought musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe into one unmistakable sound. With Zolani Mahola at the microphone, songs such as Doo Be Doo, Nomvula and Pot Belly became part of the soundtrack of a changing South Africa.
Their collaboration with Shakira on Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, carried that sound around the globe. Eight South African Music Awards, four Metro FM Awards and the 2006 MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act mark a career built on songs, character and live performance.
Today, Mbali’s voice meets the experience of a six-piece band. The familiar musical warmth is joined by new songs, new ideas and an invitation to another generation.
The new album · Out now
Take Me Home
Eight songs. A new voice.
A band finding its next direction together.
Released on 17 April 2026, Take Me Home was produced by Grammy-winning producer JB Arthur and recorded at Bridgenorth Studios in Harare, Zimbabwe.
From the lift of Jabula and the rhythmic pull of Welele to the title song, the album connects Freshlyground’s Afro-fusion roots with Mbali’s soulful presence.
Live at Bardentreffen · Nuremberg 2026
Let the stage speak.
Two performances from the summer tour.
New songs, played by the current band.
Welele · Live
Open live videoCover photographs: Hana Sho / Radford Jacobs. They are not stills from the Bardentreffen films.
The new songs
Watch. Listen. Come closer.
Jabula · Official video
Watch on YouTubeTake Me Home · Official video
Watch on YouTubeYouTube loads when you press play.
For promoters
Freshlyground · 2027
European concerts and festivals.
Contact GRIOT for available dates and production details.
Six on stage
- Mbali Makhoba
- Lead vocals
- Chris Bakalanga
- Lead guitar & backing vocals
- Julio Sigauque
- Acoustic guitar & backing vocals
- Simon Attwell
- Flute, keyboards & saxophone
- Josh Hawks
- Bass & backing vocals
- Peter Cohen
- Drums
Press & production
Short biography · English (.txt) ↓Kurzbiografie · Deutsch (.txt) ↓Press photographs Technical rider · 2026 editionPlease confirm the current technical requirements with GRIOT for your 2027 date. Please retain the supplied photo credits.
European booking · 2027
Bring Freshlyground to your stage.
Six musicians · Dates and routing on request
Wulf von Gaudecker · GRIOT
wulf@griot.de