3 December All day
Music lovers in Johannesburg will have an opportunity to experience Somi’s latest musical project differently when the GRAMMY-nominated vocalist and composer hosts an intimate vinyl listening session at Mamakashaka on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
The gathering forms part of her Africa in Bloom series, an initiative that brings together music, conversation and cultural exchange through intimate experiences across the African continent.
Rather than another live concert, the Johannesburg session invites audiences to spend time with the music itself, creating space to appreciate the sounds, stories and creative intentions behind Somi’s latest album, What Does It Take to Bloom?
Listening Beyond the Music
In an era dominated by streaming platforms, playlists and instant access to music, vinyl listening sessions offer a different relationship with recorded sound.
They encourage audiences to slow down, listen intentionally and engage with an album as a complete creative experience.
For Somi, this approach connects with the wider philosophy behind Africa in Bloom: creating opportunities for meaningful artistic encounters and conversations that extend beyond the stage.
The album explores themes of transformation, uncertainty, personal loss and belonging, drawing inspiration from Somi’s experiences across different cities and cultures.
Celebrating African Stories and Creative Expression
What Does It Take to Bloom?, released through Salon Africana, reflects Somi’s journey of navigating different places while searching for a deeper sense of home.
Through Africa in Bloom, she is bringing these personal reflections back to the continent, encouraging audiences to engage with African creativity in intimate and meaningful settings.
The Mamakashaka gathering follows Somi’s live performances in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, extending the South African programme beyond traditional concert experiences.
For Johannesburg’s music community, the listening session offers an opportunity to connect with the album’s themes while celebrating the storytelling and musical expression that shape contemporary African music.
As Africa in Bloom continues to create spaces for artistic exchange across the continent, the Johannesburg listening session highlights an important part of the musical experience: sometimes the best way to connect with an artist’s story is simply to stop, listen and let the music speak.
For more information and tour updates, visit Somi’s official website.
