Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek has a strong lineup of Djs and sound curators
Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek expands its programme with 15 curated DJ and vinyl selectors in the line-up
Franschhoek, South Africa, 6 March 2026—The Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek presented by Nedbank has announced an all-star line-up of DJs, vinyl selectors and musical curators for its inaugural African edition, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to presenting a broad spectrum of contemporary music culture alongside its headline live performances.
These artists have been carefully curated as performers in their own right, bringing their unique musical identities, deep record collections and dancefloor storytelling to the Montreux Jazz Festival’s programme.
The announcement further strengthens an already strong programme featuring international stars and African musical innovators performing across The Arches Stage and Jazz Village.
The curators of sound include some of South Africa’s most respected selectors and DJs, including DJ Zinhle, DJ Kent, Kay Faith, That Guy S’bu, Trev. The Japanese, Lelowhatsgood, DJ Mighty, DJ Khenzhero, and Lover. Friend: Nelee, Charles Leonard; CandyFlip, the collaborative pairing of Cassiem Latief and Leighton Moody; and Europe-based Rosey Gold.
Together, they represent a diverse cross-section of South Africa’s contemporary music culture – spanning jazz, soul, house, hip-hop, rare groove and vinyl-led listening sessions.
For Montreux Jazz Festival founder Mark Goedvolk, the inclusion of DJs and selectors reflects Montreux’s long-standing ethos of musical exploration. He says, “South Africa has produced some of the best DJs in the world and honouring their craft at this festival was the natural thing to do.
“Montreux has always been about more than a single genre or format. It’s about the discovery of music in all its forms. These artists are an intrinsic part of the fabric of our communities, and their artistry deserves to take centre stage in its own right.”
Music and Programming Curator Lindsay Rhoda says the programme recognises the important role selectors play in shaping music culture. “DJs and vinyl selectors play a crucial role in contemporary music culture. Many of them are extraordinary musical historians, digging deep into records and connecting genres, eras and communities. At Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, they are not there to fill space – they are there because they are exceptional curators of sound and part of a curated programme.”
Across the festival weekend, these artists will animate multiple spaces within the programme – from intimate vinyl listening sessions at the Jazz Village to high-energy DJ performances at The Arches stage, that extend the musical journey beyond the main stage concerts. From the moment gates open until the final sets each evening, audiences will move through a living soundscape – discovering music, dancing and experiencing the full spectrum of contemporary sound.
Among the highlights are broadcaster and vinyl connoisseur CandyFlip; celebrated record collector Charles Leonard; and genre-crossing tastemaker Kay Faith, alongside globally recognised DJ and producer DJ Zinhle, house music pioneer DJ Kent, and cultural connector and legendary selector DJ Kenzhero. Their presence underscores the festival’s belief that music culture today is shaped as much by selectors and DJs as it is by instrumentalists and bands.
Beyond the musical programme, the festival is also seen as an important platform for cultural development and economic growth in the province. Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport of the Western Cape, Ricardo Mackenzie, said, “Festivals like Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek do more than entertain: they create jobs, grow local artistic skills, and showcase South Africa’s talent to the world. The Western Cape Government is proud to support events that drive both culture and economic opportunity for our communities.”
Taking place 27–29 March 2026 in Franschhoek, the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek heralds the first time the legendary Swiss-born festival has been staged on African soil.
Beyond the headline performances, the DJs ensure the festival never stands still – keeping audiences moving, dancing and discovering music throughout the entire weekend.
Please see the website http://www.mjfsa.com/ for further information, including information about the unticketed Sunday Slowdown and register for media accreditation. Accreditation applications will close on 14 March 2026.
Park and Ride transport options from various destinations in Cape Town and the Winelands make the festival accessible, and a dedicated website run by travel partner Tourvest assists festival goers with seamless accommodation and transfers. Please visit https://www.tourvestdm.com/mjf/ for more information on these options as well as for details about the festival’s private chauffeur offering.
Further artists to be announced very soon.
Social Media:
Instagram: @mjffranschhoek
Facebook: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek
X (Twitter): @mjffranschhoek
TikTok: @montreuxjazzfestivalsa
Artists Announced to Date:
- Robert Glasper with Special Guest Bilal
- Ezra Collective
- Róisín Murphy
- Salif Keita
- Wet Wet Wet
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Stacey Kent
- Mandisi Dyantyis
- DJ Kent
- Cassiem Latief and Leighton Moody
- Msaki presents ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber ft Jesse Clegg
- DJ Zinhle
- The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience ft. Boohle, Moonchild Sanelly and BONJ
- Billy Monama’s Guitar Convergence Ft Moss Mogale and Vusi Mahlasela
- Rosey Gold
- Kesivan & The Lights featuring The Swiss African Horns with special guest BONJ
- Kyle Shepherd Trio
- DJ Kenzhero
- Home at Last: A tribute to Bheki Mseleku presented by Gareth Lockrane and Bokani Dyer
- ‘A Kind of Blue’ w/ Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams, Lenny White
- Ramon Alexander Trio ft Buddy Wells
- Lelowhatsgood
- Brother Kujenga
- Kwanti Leeh! (Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Ayanda Sikade, Sisonke Xonti)
- The Ploemies & Friends
- Madala Kunene x Sibusile Xaba
- Trev The Japanese
- DJ Mighty
- Kay Faith
- Homie.Lover.Friend
- Sbu The Guy
- Charles Leonard
- Nelee
- CandyFlip
