Two of South Africa’s most beloved and acclaimed musicians will share the stage for the very first time in a highly anticipated double-bill concert celebrating more than two decades of musical friendship, collaboration and mutual admiration.
Vusi Mahlasela (Top image by Hank Strauss) and Guy Buttery (Image below by Jacki Bruniquel) have shared a musical connection spanning more than 20 years, one that has unfolded in remarkable decade-long chapters. Now, that relationship takes its most significant step yet as the two internationally acclaimed South African artists come together for their first-ever live performances on the same stage.
The story began in 2006, when Guy Buttery contributed guitar and mandolin to Vusi Mahlasela’s album Naledi Ya Tsela, which also featured vocals from Dave Matthews. A decade later, Mahlasela returned the favour, lending his unmistakable voice to two tracks on Buttery’s self-titled 2016 album.
Now, another ten years on, the two artists reunite once again, this time not in a recording studio, but in front of live audiences for a special series of performances across South Africa.
Whether by design or coincidence, their collaborations have developed into something of a ten-year tradition. But this reunion is different. For the first time, audiences will have the opportunity to experience Mahlasela and Buttery sharing a stage, performing together in real time and bringing their extraordinary musical chemistry to life.
For Buttery, the opportunity carries particular significance. Mahlasela, affectionately known throughout South Africa as “The Voice,” is one of the country’s most treasured musical figures, an artist whose music has played an important role in South Africa’s cultural landscape for decades.
The performances will move fluidly between the individual and the collaborative. Both artists will perform solo selections drawn from their extensive catalogues before coming together for a series of duets and collaborative pieces, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience two of South Africa’s most distinctive musical voices in direct conversation.
The result promises to be an intimate and dynamic meeting of styles: Buttery’s intricate, virtuosic fingerstyle guitar and global musical influences alongside Mahlasela’s soulful voice, poetic songwriting and deeply rooted South African folk tradition.
Although this tour marks their first time performing together live, Mahlasela and Buttery have already created a small but significant body of collaborative work.
Buttery’s guitar and mandolin feature on Mahlasela’s 2006 album Naledi Ya Tsela, including “Sower of Words,” featuring Mahlasela and Dave Matthews.
Mahlasela subsequently appeared on Buttery’s 2016 self-titled album, contributing vocals to “Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus” and “The Upper Reaches,” the latter also featuring Piers Faccini.
Their collaborations bring together two very different but complementary musical languages — Buttery’s highly technical acoustic guitar playing and expansive global influences with Mahlasela’s unmistakable voice and deeply expressive South African songwriting.
The Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery double bill will take place across two legs, beginning with three intimate performances in Cape Town before moving to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in October.
24 October – Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, KZN Midlands
Tickets: https://qkt.io/vusiguymidlands
25 October – Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, KZN Midlands
Tickets: https://qkt.io/vusiguymidlands
With only a handful of performances scheduled, these shows represent a rare opportunity to witness two of South Africa’s most accomplished and influential musicians sharing a stage for the first time.
About Vusi Mahlasela
Known simply as “The Voice” in South Africa, Vusi Mahlasela is a legendary singer-songwriter, poet, activist and national treasure. Renowned for his distinctive voice and powerful songs of hope, freedom and reconciliation, his music is deeply woven into South Africa’s cultural history.
Raised in Mamelodi, Mahlasela taught himself guitar and began performing at an early age. His career rose to prominence with his debut album When You Come Back, and in 1994 he was invited to perform at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration.
Since then, he has built an acclaimed international career, sharing stages with artists including Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, Ray LaMontagne, Natalie Merchant and Taj Mahal. In 2003, Dave Matthews signed him to ATO Records, introducing his music to North American audiences.
Mahlasela has released nine albums, including Shebeen Queen, a celebration of the musical culture of his hometown. His many honours include a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, two honorary doctorates and the National Order of Ikhamanga for his contribution to South African music and his role in highlighting the injustices of apartheid.
A longtime ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign, Mahlasela remains one of South Africa’s most important musical voices.
As Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Gordimer once said:
“Vusi sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive.”
About Guy Buttery
Guy Buttery is an internationally acclaimed South African acoustic guitarist, composer and multi-instrumentalist, celebrated for his distinctive approach to the guitar and his role as an ambassador for South African music.
His music blends intricate fingerstyle guitar, South African traditions, African influences and global textures with deeply personal composition. His career has taken him to stages across the USA, UK, Australia, France, Brazil and Italy.
At 18, Buttery became the youngest nominee in South African Music Awards history, earning nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Instrumental. He has since won two SAMAs, multiple Ovation Awards and, in 2018, the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award.
He has collaborated with artists including Dave Matthews, Jethro Tull, Vusi Mahlasela, Will Ackerman, Salif Keita, Kaki King and Jon Gomm, and has performed his work with the 52-piece KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
Renowned for live performances that combine extraordinary technical precision, deep grooves, dynamic intensity and delicate African influences, Buttery has been described internationally as “one of the finest exponents of the acoustic guitar in the World.”
Two decades of musical friendship. Two extraordinary voices. One stage.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly. Audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.
