Malkerns, Eswatini — UK-based Afro-jazz collective Kokoroko has been revealed as the first confirmed music act for the MTN Bushfire Festival 2026 edition, organisers announced this week.
The announcement, shared via MTN Bushfire’s official social media platforms, marks the first lineup reveal for the 19th edition of the internationally acclaimed festival. A second artist announcement is expected in January 2026.
Known for their horn-led sound and genre-blending style, Kokoroko draw from jazz, highlife, afrobeat, soul, and broader African diasporic influences. The group rose to wider global attention following their NPR Tiny Desk performance and are part of the UK’s contemporary jazz movement.
Festival organisers described Kokoroko’s music as energetic and expressive, noting its emphasis on joy, movement, and togetherness — elements that align with the Bushfire Festival’s spirit and identity.
MTN Bushfire 2026 is scheduled to take place from 29 to 31 May 2026 at the House On Fire venue in Malkerns. Tickets are already on sale via the official festival channels.
The Bushfire Festival has grown into one of Southern Africa’s leading music and arts events, attracting artists and audiences from across the continent and beyond.
Source: MTN Bushfire Festival social media post
