Reggae Dancehall Hot spots 2017

EventsFeature

Gauteng


Newtown Music Factory former Bassline
10 Henry Nxumalo St, Newtown
Phone: +27 11 838 9145

Everybody knows about Bassline on Thursdays. Everybody now knows that it is no longer called Bassline but Newtown Music Factory. But we still refer to it as Bassline. The venue was shut down briefly at the end of last year, for renovations, or rather change of management issues. The Ragga Nights moved to Carfax for a short stint, then came back for the reopening under a new name, The Groove Live [former Bassline], and now its Newtown Music Factory. Speculations are rife that the African Storm Soundsystem is the new management of the venue, which will be a good look for Reggae and Dancehall. Perhaps we will see more local acts pon that stage and a host of other international DJ’s [Judgemnt Yard Zim, Empire Sound KE, Mighty Crown, Silver Star Sound etc] or even local sound clashes happening there.

Again here, its Reggae Dancehall that has the longest run in this music venue which hosted a variety of local and international genres and gigs. But Thursday nights are Fire Thursdays or Ragga Nites and Everybody knows that. Admiral and Jah Seed has kept it going since. After transitioning from Tandoor they hosted Fire Thursdays in Newtown area at Carfax and at Horror Cafe before finding a permanent home at Bassline. The first African Storm [or National] Dancehall Queen contest was held at Bassline.  Many, if not all the Jamaican Reggae Dancehall artists who come perform in South Africa pass through Bassline. It is the biggest and longest running Ragga Dancehall gig in South Africa. Jah Seed and Admiral also host a radio ragga show on the country’s most popular youth station YFM. They both have colourful career histories that help to bolster the gig and the dancehall queens antics on the stage has definitely helped to garner the cross over non reggae dancehall crowd and entered Fire Thursday in the history books of Jozi’s gigs. If only they could put more local artists on that stage!

Facebook: AFRICAN STORM SOUND SYSTEM

Matlombe Lounge
30 RAHIMA Moosa And Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Johannesburg

Tel: +27 83 757 0277
Formerly known as Kaldies Coffee, Matlombe Lounge is a family run events and entertainment venue. It closed briefly last year for renovations. The reopening this year was a grand affair with a Reggae and Dancehall Party. During the day it operates an an eatery where you can find exquisite Vegetarian and Vegan food, but late at night it turns into an oasis of live music and beautiful people with good vybz and a relaxed atmosphere. Even the decor changes mood and adjust well with the night settings.

Since the reopening, Matlombe Lounge has played host to a variety of Reggae events varying from album launches, listening session and Birthday Celebrations. The First Friday sessions hosted by Lioness Productions has moved there, Black Dillinger will be hosting his Birthday Bash there, The Number One Riddim listening session, The Damian Marley after Party and a host of other Reggae events. Matlombe Lounge is proving to be the Main Spot for Reggae Dancehall events in Johannesburg, situated at Newtown, its easily accessible.

On Thursday’s they host Big Bang Theory, an open mic session for all genres and Sundays its Afro Beat Sundays.

Full Bar Catering. Vegeterian Meals. Cover charge usually R100

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House of Tandoor
26 Rockey Street, Yeoville
House of Tandoor aka House of Reggae is the foundation for many an artist and DJ’s in and around Jozi and foreign. It has gone through phases and lapses. The oldest establishment that never ever shied from Reggae Dancehall.Jah Seed, back then he was still Apple Seed and Admiral of the African Storm Crew, were instrumental in starting and growing the reggae dancehall scene in Yeoville, and were the first to play at Tandoor. The doors of Tandoor have seen many international and local faces pass through dem, and if the walls could talk, they would tell of the many faces personas characters images cultures and eccentricities from around the globe that have been there.Tandoor, with all the changes that happen, from management to the reduction of the size of the complex, one thing remain constant, and that is Reggae Dancehall. All Seasons, all occassions all day every day. It is head quartered at South Africa’s Reggae Capital at the United Nations of Africa seat, Yeoville. Known and unknown DJ’s from Japan to the United States have held residency at Tandoor. Even Randy Chin, VP Records head honcho pass through Tandoor on his visit to South Africa.
Full Bar Catering. Free EntryFacebook: House of tandoor
Rasta House
23 Muller Street, Yeoville.

It was a place of refuge for the Rastafarian way of life and has since become a social place for live performances. It used to be vibrant with lots of cultural activities like Black History Month celebrations, Women’s Day Celebrations and exhibitions. As the name suggests, Reggae Dancehall is a staple at Rasta house, with outdoor sitting, a Bar and pool tables. It is a place to chill listen to reggae and hold a medz. Open 7 days a week. Free entry.

 Reggae Dancehall Hot Spots Jozi
Club Red
170 Bram Fischer Dr, Randburg, 2125, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 025 8091

2017 saw Club Red turning up the loudest, set to put Randburg on the Reggae Dancehall map. It has always been friendly and accomodating of Dancehall, but this year the volume turned up with the Dancehall Sundays Sessions coordinated by one Lucky Dread. They’ve hosted  a number of  prominent artists like Nkulee Dube, Zion Ruts Family and NC Dread. The DJ’s that have passed through include Badman Zim, Lion Roots Outernational, Fyah Stables, Star Yard Sound, Jah Seed of African Storm and more. Situated on the main road in Randburg CBD, it is easy to find and the vibes are mad on a Sunday. Cover charge varies depending on who is on the line up. Full Bar Catering.

Facebook:Club Red Dancehall Sundays
Phonics Lounge former Bar 9
Old Pretoria Road, 1685 Midrand, Gauteng
Tel: +27 71 177 0527
Phonics Lounge used be called Bar 9, as a matter of fact most dancehall patrons still refer to it as Bar 9. The name and management change came with a new collective One Love Movement; a group of DJ’s, Selektas and MC’s who formed a collective to promote Reggae and Dancehall through monthly gigs. Every last Friday of the month, One Love Movement brings Friday One Love Sessions. The focus is on providing platform for DJ’s and artists alike to showcase their talents and more specifically to uplift and Dancehall in the Area.
It is a full bar catering and the atmosphere is nice and cool. R50 cover charge normally gets you in.
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Soweto BackPackers
10823A Pooe St, Orlando West, Soweto, 1804, South Africa
Tel:+27 84 851 8681

A backpacker situatated in Orlando West, a vibrant community rich with history and culture not far from the famous Vilakazi street. They offer guided tours on bicycles, tuk tuk or just walking tours. You can stay at a dorm, tree house or pitch a tent. There is traditional cousine served at the outdoor restaurant in the community park. It is at the community park that they have started hosting Reggae gigs on a monthly. It is the home of the Reggae Cookout monthly session and this year they will be hosting The International Reggae Day on July 01. Entrance is Free and its Full bar catering.

Sundowner lounge
-26.325765, 28.066302, Alberton, 1447, South Africa
Tel: +27 82 255 5823
Reggae Nights on Thursdays at Sundowner Bar in Alberton is hosted by King Roots International. He also runs a well stocked up Rasta Shop in the vicinity. Any Rasta paraphanelia, Rasta Wear, Accessories and Pan African Literatuare [are rarity in our land] can be found at Umoja Urban Culture. Later when its greater, its Reggae Nights at Sundowners which is not far from the shop. It is a nice laid back atmospher with outdoor area and full bar catering. The music is mature and rootical with your hosts King Roots International, Ital Steppa and Mjava45. Often they invite sound systems from the vicinity to come play there, but it is the home of Dub. The east rand Dub massive hold a vibe every now and then.
Free Entry.
Old Fire Station Pretoria
146 Minnaar St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
The site of the old fire station has served many purposes in its lifetime: dumping ground, fire station, and now houses a museum and school of performing arts. It has definite historical significance with regards to the development of the city of Pretoria.Of late, it has played host to Reggae and Dancehall events. It is patronised by the Pretoria massive especially for live events. Lufuno Nnzene Munzhelele and Tonny Mukosi launched their albums there recently and the SATMA award winner Ras Judah of the Next Generation band has been spotted a few times there.
Sebokeng Community Hall
Zone 14 Sebokeng, Sebokeng, Gauteng.
The Sebokeng Zone 14 Community Hall has been the home of Reggae and Dancehall for a long while, out running the similar Mzimhlophe Hall in Soweto which served a similar purpose but of late has wind down. The Zone 14 Hall has become home to #FillupTheHall sessions. Started off as a Birthday Bash for one Ms Thandeka No Ohdar and quickly turned into a regular monthly gig with regular DJ Shady and invited DJ’s. The event lives up to its hashtag, Fill up the Hall, the hall gets filled to capacity, usually with a young dancehall crowd, typical of the Bassline crowd and its turns up loudest. Ms No Ohdar usually ads a fashion show of her designs at the event. Cover charge usually ranges from R20 – R50.

KWA-ZULU NATAL

Cool Runnings
Milne St, Durban Central, Durban, 4001, South Africa
Tel: +27 31 368 5604

Cool Runnings isn’t for people who want to be fashionable or trendy. Its a place to just kick back and chill out and listen to Reggae music and soak in the carribean vibes. It is one of the oldest establishement in the middle of CBD and the longest running on the franchise. Cool Runnings in Cape Town and Joburg did not quite make it, and the one in Pretoria, well its touristy themed.

Hott Waxx Sound started hosting the Reggae Dancehall Sessions on Satrudays in 2012 and have been going strong ever since. They are the resident DJ’s and invite other internatioinal and local  DJ’s. They host Birthday Bashes, Album launches and themed events. They also put out their Live Juggling Mix every now and then and give it to patrons. Every Saturday is Cool Runnings in Durban, no problem-O. Full Bar Catering. Free Entry.

Western Cape

DubLiner
251 Long St, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 424 1212

Dubliner is the new home for Mad Sundays hosted by Bashmouth Sound. The Mad Sunday Sessions have been running for over two years now and have moved around a lot. They started at German Locker in Table View, then moved to Kasi Lounge in Montague Gardens where it had the longest run. Recently they had a short stint at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) at the Marimba hall. That did not last, and they finally moved Mad Sundays to Dubliner. They host Birthday Bashes, Dancehall Queen Contests, Sound Clashes and themed parties every Sunday. It has a huge following and the Crowd relocates with it. Sunday’s are never dull in Cape Town. Full Bar Catering. Cover Charge R50 and R100 VIP.

Facebook: Mad Sunday Cpt

Club 7
203 Voortkrekker Road, Bellville
A relatively new kid on the block. The venue itself is old, but the Reggae Dancehall Sounds are new to the venue. It the brainchild of Ras Movement Sounds who have decided to host The Ultimate Reggae Sundays sessions there. The launch gig was held in June. The venue is nice and intimate. The vibes are nice and Ras Movement Sounds make sure that the place is pumping with Reggae and Dancehall. Usually most gigs in Cape Town happen in the CPT CBD, and here an opportunity presented itself for the Bellville massive to have a regular gig weekly. Resident DJ’s: DJ Fatha B| Ras Purpose | DJ Winnie.
Full Bar Catering. Cover Charge R30
Facebook: Ras Purpose
Marvel Bar
236 Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 426 5880
Cape Town’s gig guide page Cityseeker describes it as “This classic bar is home to a range of sexy, house and chilled-out beats. While the setup isn’t anything too fancy, the atmosphere is unlike any other bar in Long Street.” On Wednesday the party turn up loud though. Its Dancehall Weddy Weddy Nites with Bashmouth and DJ LA. Its a mid-week Reggae Party. Full Bar Catering. Free before 11pm.

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