Back to the City International Festival announces Trompies as the latest addition to its 2026 line-up, with the legendary group set to take the stage as part of the festival’s Heritage Slot.

The Heritage Slot celebrates the sounds that raised a nation, honouring the artists, genres and cultural movements that have shaped South Africa’s musical identity and continue to influence generations today.

Few groups represent that legacy quite like Trompies. Emerging from the vibrant township music scene in the early 1990s, the legendary group became synonymous with Kwaito and its influence on South African youth culture. Their music, style and unmistakable energy helped define an era, with a catalogue of classics that remain deeply embedded in the country’s musical memory.

Trompies’ inclusion in the Heritage Slot celebrates the enduring impact of Kwaito and the role the group played in shaping South Africa’s popular music landscape. Their appearance at Back to the City will allow audiences to experience the sounds that defined a generation while celebrating their continued relevance in today’s culture.

Trompies join an exciting Back to the City 2026 line-up, alongside internationally acclaimed acts Slum Village and Blu & Exile, as well as Just Sam, Mfana Touchline, Lacabra and Tshego Santana. Together, the line-up brings generations of artists and sounds to one stage, celebrating the pioneers, innovators and next generation shaping African and global hip-hop culture.

Back to the City International Festival 2026 takes place on 10 October 2026 at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg.