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Johannesburg, get ready to have your heartstrings thoroughly pulled.
Parklive Festival has officially announced its first massive headliner for 2026, and it’s none other than the Māori soul icon, TEEKS. The velvet-voiced singer-songwriter will be taking over the stage at Marks Park in Emmarentia on Sunday, 30 August 2026.
Known globally for his achingly beautiful, emotionally raw ballads like First Time, Without You, and Remember Me, TEEKS has built a massive cult following in South Africa. This performance wraps up his first-ever multi-city tour of the country, making his Jozi stop the grand finale of what promises to be one of the standout international tours of the year.
Who is TEEKS?
If you haven’t yet been introduced to the cinematic soul of TEEKS (born Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi), prepare to meet your new musical obsession. Hailing from Aotearoa, New Zealand, this Māori singer-songwriter has been dominating the global soul scene since his debut.
Often described by critics as the "male Adele" or a modern-day Otis Redding, TEEKS possesses a rich, velvety baritone that carries an ancient, emotional weight, something Gen Z is leaning into these days.
He exploded onto the scene with his 2017 debut EP, The Grapefruit Skies, written entirely in his bedroom, instantly marking him as one of the southern hemisphere's most compelling new voices.
His 2021 debut studio album, Something To Feel, debuted at number one on the New Zealand charts and cleaned up at the Aotearoa Music Awards, walking away with Best Solo Artist, Best Soul/RnB Artist, and Māori Artist of the Year.
The essential details
Beyond the world-class live music, festival-goers can look forward to Parklive's signature setup: a massive curated food and drink village packed with gourmet street food, craft drinks, and plenty of sunny, open-air lawn space perfect for picnic blankets and camping chairs.
The rest of the festival lineup is still under wraps, but with TEEKS leading the charge, phase one tickets are bound to fly.
- Where: Marks Park, Orange Road, Emmarentia
- When: Sunday, 30 August 2026 (11 am – 7 pm)
- Tickets: General Admission starts at R395 (Phase 1). Secure your spot via www.parklive.co.za.
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