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South Africa’s summer concert calendar just got a little louder. Icelandic blues-rock outfit KALEO are heading to South Africa for the first time, with concerts at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Thursday, 4 February 2027, and at Marks Park in Johannesburg’s Emmarentia on Saturday, 6 February.
The Grammy-nominated quartet will bring their Way Down We Go Tour to the Mother City as part of a two-date South African tour presented by BreakOut Events. Tickets are now on sale via Webtickets.
Who are KALEO?
If the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, the music almost certainly will.
Formed in the Icelandic town of Mosfellsbær – loosely translated from Icelandic as ‘Moss Mountain Town’ – in 2012, KALEO have built an international following for their distinctive blend of bluesy guitar riffs, folk-inspired melodies and the powerful vocals of frontman Jökull Júlíusson.
Their big break came with the release of A/B in 2016, an album that produced a string of international hits, including ‘All The Pretty Girls’, ‘No Good’ and, most famously, ‘Way Down We Go’.
That final track has become something of a modern rock anthem, with its brooding vocals and slow-burning blues riff appearing in countless film soundtracks, television series and advertising campaigns. KALEO's music has featured in shows including Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Suits and The Morning Show.
It's been quite a journey for four musicians from a small town outside Reykjavík. Over the past decade, KALEO have amassed more than six billion global streams, earned more than 70 international Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications, and appeared on major festival stages, including Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.
Along the way they've released four studio albums, most recently Mixed Emotions in 2025.
The upcoming Way Down We Go Tour also marks the 10th anniversary of A/B, with an expanded deluxe edition of their breakthrough album released in June 2026.
For Cape Town fans, the Kirstenbosch concert offers the chance to hear those familiar anthems in one of the city's favourite outdoor live-music venues. With the gardens providing a dramatic mountain backdrop, it's a fitting setting for a band whose sound moves effortlessly from intimate acoustic ballads to full-throttle rock.
And the band seem equally excited to finally make the journey south.
“We've wanted to come to South Africa for a long time, so finally making it happen means a lot to us,” says KALEO. “Playing in Cape Town and Johannesburg is going to be really special. We can't wait to meet everyone and bring our show there for the first time.”
How to get tickets for KALEO
KALEO will perform at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Thursday, 4 February 2027. The concert kicks off at 6pm and will wrap up by 10pm. The opening act has not yet been announced.
General admission tickets start at R995, excluding booking fees, and are available via Webtickets.
The Johannesburg concert takes place at Marks Park in Emmarentia on Saturday, 6 February, with support from Kongos and Ross Learmonth. Tickets for that show start at R895.
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