By Emma Olivier
There is something special about a live performance. To keep a finger on the Stellenbosch music scene’s pulse, look out for these bands on Die Matie’s radar.
GSTRiNG
The fourth string on a guitar (nothing else) – GSTRiNG is a genre-defying band pushing boundaries in Afrikaans music. Drawing from diverse influences for their bittersweet summer sound, GSTRiNG proves that “Afrikaans is not a genre”, according to guitarist and lead singer Neelsie van Dyk.
Guitarist Wilhelm Warmenhoven says that fans can look forward to “a few lekker collabs” and “hopefully a short album with something a little different”.
Van Dyk adds, “We want to be a bit experimental this year.”
Blitz
For good vibes and loud music, Blitz is the fresh punk-rock band to keep an eye on. Their first single, “Fluit Fluit”, buzzes with an electric stick-it-to-the-man energy. It’s “loud and befok and very beautiful too”, as frontman Johan Verdoes described at Battle of the Bands (BOTB) 2025 – which Blitz won. You can show Blitz some love at Aandklas on 14 February.
Ultra-Mal
Ultra-Mal is making waves as a niche, multi-genre phenomenon. “Everything has a method and structure,” says rapper Sive Mdabuli, describing how Ultra- Mal joins creativity and musical knowledge. “We strategise how we would put it all together. That’s the dope part.”
Ultra-Mal reached second place at the 2025 Taalgenoot Ruk en Rym competition, winning a music video to be released this year.
“What inspires us to make music?” Mdabuli contemplates. “Honestly, just life. In life, everyone needs encouragement and motivation. You can take that from our songs, like ‘Dala Rot’ – dala what you must.”
Dierbaar
This rock trio is challenging the Afrikaans music status quo with brutally honest lyrics, raw sound and dreamy vocals. Frontwoman Janke Mostert’s guitar riffs are reminiscent of an angsty coming-of-age cult classic’s soundtrack. Dierbaar’s latest single, “Parasosiaal”, is out, but this is just the start of a new wave of alternative Afrikaans.
ThreeOhFive
After winning Aandklas’ annual BOTB in 2024, ThreeOhFive underwent a brief hiatus and transformation. Albert Kotze, ThreeOhFive’s new frontman, says, “We got a whole new set of original music. It’s heavy, emotional, very gripping, and explosive, but still catchy – something you can sing along to.” Prepping their first EP and a tour, they are now back and ready to make “music built on the sound of perseverance”.
Undercard
At last year’s BOTB, Undercard made the semi-finals with music created just six weeks prior! Now, with the new year ahead, the pop-punk emo group doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
“Our philosophy is very DIY; very scrappy,” says vocalist Daniël Goosen. Lovers of energetic but emotional songs can look forward to more gigs and a first EP from Undercard and Rambo (their trusty tambourine). Goosen shared Undercard’s plans for “a DIY show – whether it’s in a parking lot, skate park or warehouse!”
The Govt.
It is possibly the best Govt. in the country. Matt Carstens, frontman, is currently making music in the United Arab Emirates, but The Govt. plans on making a comeback in February. “We are hoping to get some cool shows in,” says Carstens. Since they won BOTB in 2023, the band has become cemented in Stellenbosch music legendry with their anti-establishment rocktronica sound.
