A Crash Course In Joining The South African Alt/Metal Scene
Have you ever asked yourself:
“Why is there no Alternative scene in South Africa?”
Well, there is one, and I’m going to show you where to find it.
FIRST TASTE
We’ve all been there at some point, discovering a love for Alternative or heavier music. It usually starts with a gateway band, something not too heavy but still hard hitting.
For me, it started way back in 2008 with a CD that my classmate, Dino, burned for me - Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence, Bullet For My Valentine and Killswitch Engage. I don’t think Dino realised that handing me that CD would spark such a love for the music, leading me all the way to this point.
From there, you dive down the rabbit hole and begin to curate your own taste of bands, artists and sub-genres until one day you ask yourself:
“Why is there nothing like this here?”
That’s where this guide comes in; to serve as a point of entry, to show you that there is a local scene for anyone who’s fallen in love with Alternative or Metal music, and how you can be a part of it. I honestly believe that the biggest group of Alt/Metal fans in South Africa are the people who just don’t know the scene exists.
COMMUNITIES
While the South African Alternative scene might be small and doesn’t get much mainstream recognition, there’s still a thriving and passionate community - if you know where to look. So let’s dive into where to start, who to follow and where to go to catch your first show.
This is one of the biggest hubs for South African Metal fans. On the surface, it’s a WhatsApp group, but once you’re in, you’ll find way more to engage with. Channels for musicians, music discussions, even direct access to local bands announcing shows and behind the scenes peeks of what they’re up to! You can find them on TikTok or Instagram. Just drop them a DM, and they’ll add you in.
Based in Cape Town, these three friends decided to close the gaps in the local scene by showing up, filming everything and spreading the vibe online. You’ve probably seen their clips floating around - Tristan in his panda hat (the Where’s Waldo of the Cape Town Metal scene) and Jenna hyping up the pit. It’s all passion, and it’s working. They’ve helped bring fresh faces and new energy into Cape Town’s shows, proving what happens when fans decide to build something real for the community.
For something a little less Metal but still deeply Alternative, you gotta check them out. They’re a DIY Punk platform for the South African underground that’s been around since 2011. They run a WhatsApp community and active socials where people share upcoming Alternative shows, releases, and new music. If you’re into the gritty side of things, this is the place to be.
VENUES
Once you’ve found your community, the next step is simple - go to a show. At the end of the day, that’s where the scene really lives. While venues hosting Alt and Metal shows are fewer these days, there are still plenty of stages across the country keeping things alive. Some regions have bigger, more active scenes than others, so I’ll be focusing on the main hubs - Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town - but that doesn’t mean there aren’t killer pockets of activity elsewhere.
First up, we have Gauteng; easily home to the biggest and most active Alt/Metal scene in the country. Whether it’s massive Metal nights, sweaty underground Punk gigs, or epic Alt-Rock shows - this province has something for everyone.
Based in Strydom Park, Johannesburg and, hands down, one of the best equipped venues in the country. Although nobody’s completely sure how to pronounce the name, Sog-nage? Saw-narge? Wut?? However, everyone agrees that it’s the go-to spot for big shows. I’ve performed and attended gigs there, and it’s always a good time... aside from the men’s bathroom, which is basically a near-death experience.
Located in Melville, Johannesburg, this is the beating heart of the Punk scene. I haven’t had the chance to make it out there yet, but every clip I’ve seen gives me serious FOMO. The place looks chaotic in the best way: cramped room, loud music and pure energy.
Based in Irene, Pretoria, Railways is one of the most unique venues in SA. The main stage is surrounded by bookshelves, like a library turned mosh pit. My first show there was a Wacken Metal Battle heat, and I’ve been hooked ever since. You’ll find a diverse lineup of artists every weekend, not just Metal.
Also in Pretoria, and probably one of my personal favourites. The venue is small and intimate, but that doesn’t stop people from going hard. I love the stage setup, the LED display behind the artists always makes for incredible visuals. Sadly, Sowaar Bar has recently announced that they will be closing doors - get in there while the lights are still on.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the scene is smaller but still kicking, with a few venues determined to keep Alternative and Metal music alive.
Easily the heart of Durban’s Alt/Metal scene right now. It’s given everyone who used to call The Winston ‘home’ a new place to gather and go hard. I’ll be honest, I used to think of it as just a bar with some live music on the side, but lately, it seems they’ve started fully leaning into being a proper venue. The sound’s improving, the energy’s great, and the crowds always bring it.
A brewery that moonlights as a venue, sitting right on the Durban docks. Shows here are a bit less frequent than at the Warehouse, but when they happen, it’s always a good time. I’ve played here a few times myself; great beer, good people and that intimate ‘everyone knows everyone’ kind of vibe.
Cape Town is home to one of the most passionate Alt and Metal communities in the country.
Since I’m up in Gauteng, and have experience in KZN, I figured it’s only fair to hand this section over to someone who actually lives and breathes the Cape Town scene.
So here’s Tristan, the headbanging panda from CPT Metal Realm, to take us through some of the venues keeping the Cape Town scene alive:
Located in the busy Cape Town central, District has seen a recent surge in Metal shows. It’s a fantastic venue; it’s got good sound, so much space and beautiful, chef’s-kiss lighting. For bonus points, directly below District is Surfa Rosa, a cool little dive bar where a lot of alternatives and punks hang out. It’s definitely filling a void that was left when Mercury closed down during the pandemic. It’s so rad to see District host more shows.
A Stellenbosch staple, this venue is so fuckin’ pretty. It blows my mind that we have Metal shows there. Usually, when there’s a Metal show, the venues are a little grimy, y’know? Places where you don’t want to walk barefoot. Heavy music at Daisy Jones hits different.
Located in Observatory, this is my personal favourite place to hang out. If you don’t see me at home on the weekend, you’ll always find me at Armchair, because it’s just that sick. Being bored at this venue is a choice; there is so much that Armchair offers. It’s got such a nice, intimate live music experience and it’s got different chill areas. You can sit outside, grab the homies and have pizza together. There’s a bar upstairs where you can play pool, or chill and have a few shots. Even if there are no shows happening, it’s a hangout for the Alt/Metal scene - every time you go there, you’re going to find your people.
“Aandklas is where demons are born” - TikTok Proverb
This place absolutely smacks. This place goes hard. It’s such a rad place to hang out, I’m pretty sure it’s the watering hole for most of the Alternative community in Stellenbosch. When there is a Metal show at Aandklas, a bunch of us make the trek from Cape Town, and those shows never disappoint. The crowd that pulls up is absolutely nuts, it gets crazy there - a really beautiful kind of crazy.
PROMOTERS
If venues are the stage of the scene, promoters are the lifeblood that keeps those stages alive. Gauteng has got some of the most passionate people making it happen.
One of the cornerstones of Johannesburg’s Metal scene, Emalyth has been running for over a decade, putting on some of the biggest and best Metal shows in the country. They’ve built a reputation for top-tier production and a genuine love for heavy music. My personal highlight this year was Mayhem, and if you’ve seen my Aftermovie, you’ll know exactly why.
These guys are all about keeping the underground alive. Their mission? To make space for bands that work just as hard as the mainstream acts, but don’t get the same spotlight. Each member brings their own skill or resources to help bands push forward - lighting, sound, visuals, whatever it takes. Their whole vibe is summed up in one line:
“We didn’t have a platform, so we built our own.”
If you’re into groovy riffs, peace pipes and trippy Psychedelic Rock, this is your tribe. Every Boogy Central show feels like stepping into a time warp with pure vibe, pure energy, and a great night out. Their own description says it best:
“Sideburns, bell bottom jeans, groovy shades and mind-bending music.”
Down in KZN, the scene is smaller, but the passion is massive. The people here are working hard to keep Heavy and Alternative music alive, and it shows.
A promoter hell-bent on making Durban relevant again in the South African Metal scene. They’ve been bringing top-tier bands from across the country to Durban and consistently putting on killer shows. I recently filmed one of their events myself, and the energy was unreal. They’re raising the bar for what a local show can be in KZN.
Mostly a mystery, possibly all in my head. All I know is that they’re involved in keeping the Alternative scene ticking in Durban, and every clip I’ve seen from their shows looks like a huge vibe.
Cape Town’s always had one of the most dedicated and tight-knit Alternative communities in the country, and that passion carries through to its promoters.
What started as a website to connect and promote Metal bands across the continent has become one of the longest-standing institutions in South African Metal. Over the years, they’ve expanded into event organising, putting on high-quality shows that feature some of the best bands the country has to offer.
A collective of passionate musicians dedicated to Hardcore, Metal and Punk. These guys go above and beyond, booking local shows, supporting upcoming artists and even bringing international bands to South Africa. They’re helping to prove that this country is a serious stop on the global tour map.
CONTENT CREATORS
One thing the South African Alternative scene could definitely use more of, is content creators talking about it. Besides a handful of us, there really aren’t many out there, which makes sense, since it’s a such niche space. You’re probably not going viral making SA Metal or Punk content. But the people who are doing it? They’re doing it for the love of the game.
One of the biggest names on TikTok and Instagram when it comes to shining a light on South African underground artists. While not always focused purely on Alternative or Metal, Ian’s platform is an incredible resource for discovering hidden gems across the local music landscape. He’s also been running a weekly Alternative gig guide; a must-follow if you want to keep up with shows around the country
A YouTuber dedicated to the South African Metal scene. From opinion pieces to interviews with bands, Keisha dives straight into the heart of it. Her channel has a great archive of content that captures recent moments in the local scene.
A fresh face in the content creation space, Savannah offers a totally different perspective. She provides educational content from the viewpoint of a live audio engineer in the South African live music scene. Her videos are a great behind-the-scenes look at how shows actually run and a perfect way to figure out if a career in live sound might be for you.
BAND RECOMMENDATIONS
Now that you know where to find the scene, let’s talk about the bands that make it all worth diving into. These are just a few of my personal recommendations - the kind of artists that really show what South African Alternative and Metal music has to offer.
Metalcore from Johannesburg, blending clean and harsh vocals perfectly. If you’re new to South African Metal, this is a great place to start.
Fuzzy, Psychedelic Rock with serious attitude. Groovy riffs, versatile vocals and a sound that feels like it came straight out of a smoky dive bar.
One of the most exciting Punk bands to come out of SA in years. Their vocalist literally breakdances in the pit, it’s chaotic, it’s wild and it’s pure fun.
Hardcore from Gauteng with insane energy. Harsh vocals, heavy breakdowns and a live presence that hits like a truck.
A genre-bending new sensation, mixing grungy Alt-Rock energy with slick, modern production.
Cape Town Post-Hardcore with groove, grit, and massive stage energy. They pull from Punk, Hardcore, Metal and Grunge, and it all just works.
Deathcore from Durban. Dark, brutal and groove-driven, they’re warping the genre into something uniquely South African.
Straight-up Durban Punk. Fast, loud and unapologetic - just the way it should be. This band throws down.
AFTERTASTE
So, that’s your crash course on joining the South African Alternative and Metal scene. Hopefully, this gives you a solid place to start, whether it’s finding a local venue, discovering new bands, or just realising that there is a community out there waiting for you. This scene lives and breathes because of the people who show up, so go to a show, buy some merch, follow the creators and promoters keeping it alive. Every bit of support counts.
I’ll see you in the pit.
Marcel Smuts
Host
Marcel has been involved from the very first episode back in 2016. He is the guitarist of Thorns Of Ivory and has a booming YouTube channel. He generally hosts and edits some of the band/alt episodes
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