Anticipation Builds for Abel Selaocoe’s Mohopolo/Ancestral Memory Weekend at the Barbican

South African cellist, vocalist, and composer Abel Selaocoe is set to ignite the Barbican’s Spring 2026 season with a weekend of music and memory that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Returning to his roots, Selaocoe curates the Mohopolo/Ancestral Memory Weekend—a vibrant, four-day gathering that unites leading artists from his homeland in a powerful celebration of shared history, resilience, and the enduring spirit of South Africa.

From Thursday 23 April to Sunday 26 April 2026, the Barbican will pulse with the sounds and stories of the Bantu people as Selaocoe is joined by an exceptional line-up: Mbuso Khosa, Nduduzo Makhathini, Gontse Makhene, BCUC, Toya Delazy, Mthuthuzeli November, and DJ SNO. Together, this collective of trailblazers will trace journeys of community and resistance—inviting audiences to reflect on the sonic echoes of the Anglo-Zulu War at Isandlwana, the rain songs and anthems of rebellion from the apartheid era, and the ancestral rhythms that continue to inspire healing and hope.

Anticipation is running high for this landmark event, which will showcase the astonishing depth and diversity of South Africa’s musical landscape. Across the weekend, audiences can expect everything from traditional Zulu music and Afro-psychedelic future pop to Afrorave, amapiano, and contemporary jazz. Each performance promises to be a unique encounter—featuring exclusive premieres, new collaborations, and moments of pure innovation that honour both heritage and the future of South African music.

In addition to the concerts, rhythm workshops inspired by the music of the weekend will be announced soon, offering audiences a deeper connection to the traditions and creative energy that will fill the Barbican’s halls. For anyone passionate about music’s power to remember, heal, and unite, the Mohopolo/Ancestral Memory Weekend stands as a must-see highlight of 2026.