Free Concert In The CBD To Kick Off The Cape Town International Jazz Festival

[Image: City of Cape Town / Facebook]

Cape Town’s CBD will once again be bustin’ a groove during the 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) Free Concert, which will take place on Thursday, April 24.

Set against the backdrop of Cape Town’s historic Greenmarket Square – one of the city’s oldest gathering spaces – the Free Jazz Concert is both a highlight and a vibey prelude to the main festival. For one unforgettable evening, the square transforms into an open-air stage, encouraging locals and visitors to experience world-class jazz in an iconic urban setting.

This year’s line-up promises an exhilarating mix of acclaimed international artists and dynamic local talent that will captivate residents and visitors alike.

Headlining this year’s concert are renowned British acid jazz legends Incognito and the iconic South African kwaito group TKZee.

They are joined by genre-bending acts such as The Ploemies, along with rising star Hannah Ray and powerhouse vocalists Andrea Fortuin and Fancy Galada. To keep the energy high between sets, the crowd can look forward to electrifying performances by DJ Eazy.

As per IOL, Alderman JP Smith, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, emphasised the concert’s importance as an annual tradition.

“The Free Jazz Concert has become an annual tradition for Capetonians and visitors alike, who come together to enjoy and celebrate their love of music.

“It is an opportunity for the City, working with the organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, to provide a musical experience with big-name artists for those who are not able to get tickets for the main festival. We invite everyone to come and be part of this special celebration set in a safe, vibrant, and family-friendly environment. Bring your loved ones, soak in the rhythm of the city, and enjoy world-class performances under the Cape Town sky,” he said.

To accommodate the event, temporary road closures will be in place from 06:00 on Wednesday, 23 April until Friday, 25 April in and around Greenmarket Square.

Affected roads include:

• Burg Street (between Church and Longmarket Streets)
• Longmarket Street (between Long and Adderley Streets)
• Burg Street (between Hout and Shortmarket Streets)
• Shortmarket Street (between Long and Adderley Streets)

For those interested in the full jazz experience, check out the schedule below.

[Source: IOL & SmileFM]