Malkerns – The 19th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival is just over a week away, with House on Fire in Malkerns set to come alive on Friday 29 May, running through to Sunday 31 May 2026 across five stages of live music, DJs, dance, theatre, poetry and storytelling.

Running under the theme “Juncture of Hum” and the rally call “Bring Your Fire,” this year’s festival brings together an extensive lineup of Pan-African and international artists from Eswatini, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Colombia, Germany, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Austria, Ethiopia, the United States, Reunion Island and Ireland, among others.

On the MTN Bushfire Main Stage, Friday night kicks off at 16:00 with sets from the Mantenga Cultural Village Dance Group, Summer Pearl from the UK, Tamika, Lindigo with Anna Sato, Buhle Mbongwa, Uncle Waffles, Wicked, and Moonchild Sanelly closing the night at midnight. Saturday’s main stage runs from 11:00, featuring Fela Kuru, iYA featuring Itallo and Zwile, Ohpis, Selimo Thabane, Salym Fayad, Booshle G, Zviko Dryad, Kokoroko, IAMSIWAS, the Busi Mhlongo Tribute featuring Xolisa Dlamini, Buhlebendalo and Zawadi YaMungu, Bubbles, Sibu Manzini Project, Uncle Karly, Young Stunna and !Sooks wrapping up at 01:30. Sunday’s main stage closes the festival with Zviko Dryad, Velemseni, This Is Odd, the Ndlovu Youth Choir, DJ Bob, Jupiter and Okwess, Uncle Karly, Msaki and Jesse Clegg, Bubbles, and Kabelo Mabalane.

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The House on Fire Amphitheatre Stage opens Friday evening with Swati Strings featuring Gcobani, Bheki Nhleko and Siso Nkambule, followed by Esinam and Sibusile Xaba, Veranda Panda, Wayne Snow and Ready D. Saturday on that stage features How to Hold the World, Klitgras Drumming, Hope Masike, Guy Buttery and Dan Patlansky, Radjah Ally, Filas de Cassandra, Zedicus and Abyssinia Roots, Nomadic Orchestra and Yugen Blakrok. Sunday wraps up with MASC, Damas do Planalto, Elena Shirin and Ka-Tembe Connexion Music Project.

The Zone Stage runs across all three days with highlights including Salym Fayad on Friday, and on Saturday a rhythmic drawing session, sets from Esinam, poetry and acoustics, Bubbles B2B DJ Bob, Liyana Ndiweni, Sarnilo and Ace Julz. Sunday on the Zone Stage features a Sound Journey with Colette, the Bushfire United We Dance Workshop, Mantenga Cultural Village Dance Group, Anna Sato, Guy Buttery, and Heal’n’Keys and Zinia.

The Corona Firefly Stage carries a heavily Swazi-loaded lineup across all three days, with artists including The Prefect, Zie on Deck, Bandora, DJ Mura, DJ Cedea, Nobantu Vilakazi, Fantasy, Shakes and Les, So What B2B Lady Gee, Nakiso, Chantel, Missy Unique, Emagagu, Locco, JD, MCO Jamrock, Gifted Kosie, Thakzin, Tribal Natives, The Hood Brodz, Touch of Soul B2B Tendaness, JazzinSoul, DJ Kelisy, Zee The DJ, SBU De Drum DJ, Lady Cream, Mayas B2B Teqnosoul, Coco SA, Speech Umlangeni and Artwork Sounds.

Gates open at 16:00 on Friday 29 May and 10:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

MTN Bushfire 2026 Festival Programme