The annual show is a world class, cross-genre live music show ranging from rock to pop, adult contemporary, R&B, hip hop, electro and soul, all set against the breath-taking onstage backing of a 65-piece symphonic orchestra.

The line-up this year includes award-winning MiCasa and Zahara, fresh from their successes at the 2012 SAMAs; Tumi & the Volume, Freshly Ground’s Zolani and Just Jinjer’s Ard Matthews, all of whom wowed audiences at the show last year; as well as the soulful ChianoSky and pop-rock band MacStanley, back on tour after recording their third, soon-to-be-released album.

In addition, the 2012 show will also offer unique performances from the multi-award winning Van Koke Cartel and Afrikaans Rock superstars F*ofpolisiekar; electro-pop singing sensation, Toya Delazy; and finally, popular rock hit-makers, aKing.

The audience can expect to hear a range of almost 30 hit songs, each rearranged by John Walton from the Cape Town Pops Orchestra.

Each band/ singer will be backed by 22 violins, eight violas, six cellos, four double bases and a harp, and that’s just the string section!  Also on stage will be full woodwind, brass and percussion sections.

Organiser Andy Mac had spent six years working on the concept for the show which became a reality in 2010 when Heineken came on board. 

“Heineken Symphonic Rocks is a marriage between current cutting-edge music and the incredible pitch perfect depth and richness of a traditional orchestra.  The collaboration produces an intensity of sound that has to be experienced to be believed,” he explains.

“Each year we aim to include chart-topping musicians with wide appeal and unlimited talent, and we’ve gone above and beyond this again this year.”

Heineken marketing manager, Tjeerd Veldhuis, agrees and believes that the event perfectly complements the brand’s aim to bring unparalleled live music experiences to consumers.

Cape Town
Date: Saturday, September 29
Venue: The Grand Arena Grand West Casino
Tickets: R200 to R225

Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, October 6
Venue: The Big Top Arena, Carnival City
Tickets: R225 to R250

Tickets can be booked through Computicket. Capacity at each of the venues is limited so fans are advised to book in advance.

Watch Zebra & Giraffe performing The Inside at last year's show.