South African music fans are finally getting their moment with KALEO. The Grammy-nominated Icelandic rock band behind the global hit Way Down We Go will make their long-awaited South African debut in February 2027, bringing their Way Down We Go Tour to Cape Town and Johannesburg, presented by BreakOut Events.
Known for blending blues-rock grit, folk influences and powerful vocals, KALEO have built an international following with a sound that feels equally at home in an intimate listening session and on a festival stage. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Jökull Júlíusson, also known as JJ, the band has spent more than a decade turning its Icelandic roots into a global musical force.
Kaleo
Their breakthrough arrived with the release of A/B in 2016, an album that introduced audiences to tracks such as Way Down We Go, All the Pretty Girls and No Good. Since then, the band has amassed more than six billion global streams and earned over 70 international Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications, cementing its place among the most successful rock exports of its generation.
Few songs in KALEO’s catalogue have travelled quite as far as Way Down We Go. With its brooding instrumentation and JJ’s unmistakable vocals, the track has become a familiar presence across film, television, advertising and social media. Its appearances in productions such as Yellowstone, Suits and Grey’s Anatomy have helped introduce the band to audiences well beyond the traditional rock scene.
Now, South African fans will have the opportunity to experience that sound live, rather than through a screen or a pair of headphones.
Johannessburg and Cape Town
The band will take to the stage at Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Thursday, 4 February 2027, before heading to Johannesburg for a performance at Marks Park in Emmarentia on Saturday, 6 February. The Johannesburg show will feature local favourites Kongos and Ross Learmonth, alongside additional support acts still to be announced.
The tour follows the release of Mixed Emotions in 2025 and the A/B 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition in June 2026. It celebrates the album that helped launch KALEO onto the international stage while reflecting the band’s continued evolution.
For a group whose music moves between restrained melancholy and explosive rock arrangements, the live experience promises to be a major draw. KALEO have performed at internationally recognised festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and have built a reputation for emotionally charged performances that bring their recordings to life.
Speaking about their upcoming visit, the band shared their excitement about finally reaching South Africa.
“We’ve wanted to come to South Africa for a long time, so finally making it happen means a lot to us. 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,” KALEO said.
Tour dates and ticket information
Cape Town
- Date: Thursday, 4 February 2027
- Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Newlands
- Time: 18:00; event ends at 22:00
- Tickets: From R995, excluding booking fees
- Bookings: Webtickets – Cape Town
Johannesburg
- Date: Saturday, 6 February 2027
- Venue: Marks Park, Emmarentia
- Time: 14:00; event ends at 21:00
- Support acts: Kongos, Ross Learmonth and more
- Tickets: From R895, excluding booking fees
- Bookings: Webtickets – Johannesburg
Tickets are on sale now through Webtickets. Fans can find further information on the official
BreakOut Events KALEO tour page
For South African fans who have followed the band’s journey from A/B to its latest chapter, February 2027 marks more than another international act arriving on local shores. It is an opportunity to experience the music that has travelled across continents, soundtracked countless moments and turned Way Down We Go into a modern rock anthem.
After years of waiting, South Africa is finally getting its turn.
