American singer Nicki Minaj toured South Africa in March, playing two concerts in Johannesburg in front of throngs of adoring fans. She fell in love with the country, using her Instagram account to post pictures of herself with fans and in the natural surroundings of the country, posting messages such as, “#BlessedIndeed obsessed with #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica.”
Playing four concerts in three South African cities during the middle of April this year, crooner Josh Groban mesmerised audiences in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. The popular American artist took time out from his tour to go shark diving while in the country, surviving the daring adventure to continue his world tour. The ticket prices for Groban’s shows in South Africa ranged from $38 to around $76.
American performing artist Mariah Carey is one of the top-selling music artists of all time, with over 200 million records sold worldwide, and she chose a stop in South Africa for her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour at the end of April. The singer performed in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, giving fans all over the country a taste of her musical ability.
Amongst the list of international performing artists who are still to make their way to SA, is Ronan Keating. The pop singer will be in South Africa in August as part of his ‘Time of My Life’ world tour, which will see him perform in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The 37-year-old will perform one show in Cape Town, at the GrandWest Grand Arena, before hosting four shows in Johannesburg, at the Montecasino Teatro. His tickets will cost between $27 and $52.
Superstar Lionel Richie is another of the big name international performing artists who made the trip to South Africa this year. Performing to large crowds in March, the legendary singer of hits such as ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Hello’ performed in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, before a concert at the Cape Town Stadium. There were also three shows in Johannesburg, with the third added late due to heavy demand.
The next big artist expected in South Africa arrives for concerts in the middle of June. British singer/songwriter Seal will wow South African fans, thanks to yet another Big Concerts experience. The singer, who was forever immortalised by the global hit track, ‘Kiss from a Rose’, will be performing shows in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. South Africans are set to pay between $23 and $69 for a ticket to see Seal perform live in the country.
Another of the international performing artists set to grace South African stages in June is American George Benson. The guitarist and singer/songwriter will perform ‘An evening with George Benson’, playing in an intimate arena set up to audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with two shows in the Mother City, and a single performance in the City of Gold.
Big Concerts brought legendary artist Chris De Burgh to South Africa in April, where the Irish singer and his band thrilled crowds throughout the country. He performed eight shows in support of his latest album, ‘The Hands of Man’. Like most international artists, his concerts took place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but unlike most, he also entertained fans in Port Elizabeth, a city that is not often included in big tours.
