Africa’s live music scene stands on the brink of a new era. In a landmark move, Live Nation, in partnership with Stadium Management South Africa and Gearhouse South Africa, will unveil The Dome, a world-class entertainment venue in Johannesburg this year. Located adjacent to the iconic FNB Stadium in Nasrec, this state-of-the-art facility boasts a 10,500-person capacity and spans 6,000 square meters. Designed for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and product launches, it represents a significant leap forward for South Africa’s live entertainment infrastructure.

This development follows Live Nation’s broader strategy to expand across Africa. Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference in Los Angeles as we reported in November, CEO Michael Rapino stressed the company’s bullish outlook on the continent, calling it a market rich with potential for live music and entertainment. “We think Africa is going to be a big business,” Rapino remarked, citing the continent’s youthful population and growing appetite for live experiences.

In a bold opening bet, The Dome will host a headline show by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems on March 20, 2025, with ticket prices set at R1,310 ($68.50) for VIP access and R800 ($41.80) for General Admission. Justin Van Wyk, a representative of Big Concerts and Live Nation South Africa, noted:

“This venue is not just about scale. It’s about creating new opportunities for South African fans to experience global-level productions while also spotlighting local and regional [Pan-African] acts.”

As artists and [international] promoters increasingly seek deeper regional engagement—shifting from one-off shows to building sustained fan relationships and exploring Live circuits across Africa’s diverse markets—The Dome is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Live Nation’s ongoing investment in Africa’s live scene includes a first-of-its-kind 12,000-capacity arena in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with the Persianas Group and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). This dual expansion signals a deliberate, continent-wide push to upgrade Africa’s live music infrastructure to reflect its cultural influence and standing on the global stage.

International promoters and corporations are looking to Africa, so the stakes are high. The promise of ‘world-class venues’ could finally provide the consistency and professionalism needed to attract international acts/tours while NURTURING local and regional talent before their global foray. However, I’m certain it doesn’t end with venue launches as economic fluctuations and the unique logistical demands of Live in select African countries will continue to test the resilience of these ambitious projects.

Comments from industry professionals in South Africa about this new development are still pending, but anticipation is palpable as we await Tems’ headline performance and future events at The Dome. The success or setbacks of these projects in the coming years will likely shape the next decade of live entertainment across the continent.

It may sound cliché to say that the road ahead is paved with potential, but only time will tell if these ventures will fully realize the promise of Africa’s live entertainment goldmine.

Fingers crossed!