Organisers of Once Upon a Time in Joburg have confirmed that Canadian R&B duo Dvsn will headline the festival’s second edition in 2025, cementing the event’s growing reputation as South Africa’s home of smooth vocals and late-night feels.
The locally owned live music experience, produced by Dr Bird Productions, has carved out a niche for itself as a haven for fans of R&B and Neo-Soul — two genres that continue to thrive thanks to South Africa’s loyal audiences.
Earlier this year, the festival’s UK edition gave Londoners a taste of its magic with performances by Sasha Keable and GoldLink. But now, it’s Joburg’s turn once again to bask in rhythm and melody.
Fans were thrown into a frenzy this week when organisers teased a major announcement, promising to reveal their headline act within 24 hours. The countdown came and went without a word — but the wait was worth it.
On Thursday morning, social media lit up as Once Upon a Time in Joburg dropped the news: Dvsn will be taking the stage in December. The duo — made up of vocalist Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85 — is known for lush, emotionally charged hits like “Too Deep” and “Hallucinations.”
The show’s date also got a slight shuffle. Originally set for 6 December, the concert has now been moved to 7 December, giving fans an extra day to perfect their R&B-inspired fits.
Some fans, still buzzing from Summer Walker’s abruptly cut performance at In The City last weekend, had been betting she’d be the one announced. But judging by the online reactions, Dvsn’s reveal hit all the right notes.
Event founder Onye Iheukwumere has often credited black women for keeping the genre alive — and their enthusiasm for this announcement proves his point. “Especially in South Africa, black women, across all age groups, are still showing up for this music,” Iheukwumere told The Citizen earlier this year. “They’re the ones driving concert attendance, and they’re the ones we’re building this for.”
He acknowledges that while mainstream charts may not always reflect it, the love for R&B runs deep.
“People love songs — songs with emotion and storytelling — and R&B still delivers that.”
Despite its soulful roots, Once Upon a Time in Joburg refuses to be boxed in.
“At our core, we’re a concert experience that celebrates great singing and songwriting,” Iheukwumere said. “That opens the door for us to include artists who might not fit the traditional R&B mould but still make powerful, well-crafted music.”
With Dvsn headlining, a passionate audience ready to sing along, and a city that knows how to vibe, this year’s edition promises to be a night of pure, unfiltered soul — the kind of show that reminds everyone why R&B never really went anywhere.
Main Image: Rolling Out
