Summer Xplosion returns after a decade hiatus

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday April 7, 2025 13:11

Speaking during a media engagement held at Déjà vu in Gaborone recently, DJ Kuchi, said the event returns bigger and better. He added that this year’s edition will be headlined by some of Africa’s most prominent and sought-after artists, such as Uncle Waffles, DJ Maphorisa, Kelvin Momo Usimamane for the Hip Hop fans, and Kharisma from South Africa. These international acts would play alongside an impressive line-up of Botswana’s top artists like ATI, Lioness Ratang, Juu Matere, Chokoma and a few local DJs who are residents at Déjà vu nightclub. DJ Kuchi added that the festival would feature a high-energy, multi-genre musical showcase, bringing together Amapiano, Afro-House, Hip Hop, and Lekompo to create an electrifying atmosphere for festival-goers.

“The Summer Xplosion will be hosted at the Duma FM Grounds, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the festival’s scale and overall experience. The new venue offers a larger space to accommodate more attendees, improved stage and sound production capabilities for a world-class festival setup, better accessibility for guests and performers, and enhanced crowd control and security measures to ensure a seamless and safe event,” he said. DJ Kuchi added that the Summer Xplosion had a strong reputation for bringing top-tier international and local talent to its stage. He explained that over the years the festival hosted global stars such as Cassper Nyovest, Black Coffee, DJ Kent, AKA, Naak Musiq, African Roots, and TradeMark, as well as Botswana’s biggest names, including ATI, La Timmy, Team Distant, Vee, Zeus, Scar, DramaBoi, MMP Family, and Machesa Traditional Group. He said the 2025 lineup would continue that tradition, featuring the hottest trending artists in the industry. He further explained that Uncle Waffles, DJ Maphorisa, Kelvin Momo, and Kharisma have so far confirmed with additional performances from local artists such as ATI, Juu Matere and Chokoma.

He added that more names would be announced in the coming weeks, with surprise acts and special collaborations expected. Would-be attendees can look forward to an unparalleled festival production, featuring state-of-the-art stage design with immersive LED visuals, top-tier sound engineering for a powerful live music experience, cutting-edge lighting effects that enhance the high-energy performances and interactive festival attractions beyond the music. The event will feature food and beverage stalls offering a variety of cuisines, festival merchandise booths with exclusive Summer Xplosion gear, brand activations and interactive experiences from key sponsors, social zones for networking and relaxation and photo booths and digital installations to capture and share memorable moments. He said that for those seeking an elevated experience, VIP packages would be available, offering exclusive seating areas with premium views. He added that the entrance is through bottle policy where people buy a bottle and are allowed in. He added that festival tickets are available for purchase online and at select physical outlets, with various pricing tiers, including an early bird discount for early purchases and general admission.