Фестиваль Piano People в Лондоне подтвердил статус Amapiano как глобального музыкального феномена

GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF GQ Kelvin Momo in London. Image: Piano People & PANTHERS LEAP The rise of Amapiano has been well documented. It seems like such a long time ago when the genre from South Africa burst onto the scene and captured the hearts of music lovers around the world. It is hard to believe now that in the late 2010s, the genre struggled to secure any radio play. It was only when major labels like Sony and Universal stepped in to sign acts that the genre and its artists began to receive widespread attention. Until then, Amapiano was very much seen as an underground movement. Just before the pandemic, the genre began to pick up steam across the African continent. By the time global lockdowns hit, Amapiano had become a worldwide phenomenon. A crowd shot of Kelvin Momo's set in London this year. As the genre broke records, it was only a matter of time before it secured its own dedicated festival platform. In 2021, Piano People was founded. It soon became the world's leading international Amapiano event brand, setting the standard for producing high-quality shows within the movement. The brand is on a mission to bring together Amapiano enthusiasts from dancefloors around the globe, showcasing this remarkable sound born in South Africa. From sold-out performances at Drumsheds, Printworks, Ministry of Sound, and The Warehouse Project to high-profile stage collaborations at Afro Nation, the platform continues to make massive waves in the music industry. Three years after its inception, Piano People launched its first-ever outdoor festival in 2024 - Piano People in the Park - delivering an unforgettable day of music and solidifying itself as the leading Amapiano movement in the UK. The concept gained rapid momentum, expanding to New York, and in 2025, its first edition was hosted in Cape Town. Amapiano has become a genre celebrated across the world. Image: Piano People & Perci_vibes On the 28th of August this year, Piano People in the Park returned to London for its third edition. Leading the charge on The Park Stage was Kelvin Momo & The Jazz Cruise Band, a highly esteemed and sought-after name in global Amapiano. They presented their first-ever UK exclusive performance with a live band. Known for his rich, emotive productions and masterful integration of deep house textures, jazz influences, and spiritual log drums, Kelvin Momo’s set was a defining highlight of the summer. Meanwhile, TXC headlined The Groove Station stage, arriving fresh from their sold-out show at KOKO. This dynamic South African duo has established themselves as a powerful force in the scene. After signing with their label, they embarked on a global journey that expanded their sound far beyond South African borders. With high-energy performances, seamless transitions, and an infectious dance-driven presence, they were a natural choice to lead one of the UK’s largest end-of-summer stages. Zee Numalo on stage in London. Across both stages, the line-up featured the most thrilling talents shaping the sound of Amapiano. The Park Stage featured Zee Nxumalo, MFR Souls, Mörda, Artwork Sounds, Stixx, Nésa Thea, Robot Boii, and Xavier, along with an exhilarating Stokvel Takeover. In addition to TXC, The Groove Station buzzed all day with performances by Al Xapo & Benzoo, Justin99, Xduppy, Shaun 101, Nkulee501, a Woza Takeover, Cruz Ctrl, and more. With two distinct arenas designed to reflect the culture, Piano People in the Park continued to set the benchmark for large-scale Amapiano events in the UK. From musical craftsmanship and live performances to high-octane dance floor energy, the festival captured every dimension of a rapidly expanding movement. Following its massive success in London, Piano People in the Park returns to South Africa with flagship shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town. On the 28th of November in Johannesburg, Piano People at the Station will feature heavyweights including Uncle Waffles, Focalistic, Dlala Thukzin, Oscar Mbo, and a special back-to-back set from Kelvin Momo and Njelic. Closing out the year in Cape Town on the 30th of December, Piano People on the Beach will feature Scorpion Kings, Focalistic, Dlala Thukzin, Scott Maphuma, Bob Mabena, Sam Deep, and W4de. Related Topics: