You’ve heard of James Deacon, the multi-talented rising star who’s been making waves in the local indsutry since 2020. Well, he kinda has this thing called The Secret Party, and he’s ready to share it with the world.
Born from the lack of venues in the country and a desire to cultivate a stronger local music community, The Secret Party is shaping up to be a hidden gem for artists and fans alike. It’s an event designed to offer unexpected spaces for musicians to showcase their talent, all while reimagining the traditional show experience.
“There’s no denying the venue shortage in SA,” Deacon says. “It feels like every time a new venue opens, it’s already closing before it has a chance to grow. So, I thought, why limit ourselves to just playing venues and let’s actually start creating venues!”
This thinking was brought to life at the most recent Secret Party at Tiger’s Milk in Bryanston, with performances by Danny Ylang and Archi. “The talent in SA is unreal,” adds Deacon, “it just needs a platform.”
One of the key features of The Secret Party is its genre-fluid approach. “It’s genre-allergic,” Deacon jokes. “All sounds are welcome. Every event is a reflection of the diverse music culture in SA, and we’re proud to showcase that range.”
In addition to its genre flexibility, the event breaks away from another norm. The Secret Party has no headliners and no openers—just a continuous flow of vibes. “A lot of shows focus on the headliner and opener, which creates a hierarchy and often means people only come to see one act before leaving,” Deacon says.
“We keep our lineups a secret, so the crowd stays for the entire experience, and all the acts support each other,” he adds.
With an approach that centres community and connection, The Secret Party will no doubt continue to grow, using both traditional venues and unconventional spaces to expand locally—and perhaps even internationally too.
The next Secret Party is on December 14th, and tickets are already available via Deacon’s Instagram page. Well, it’s not a secret anymore, but it’s definitely worth discovering.
Cover image courtesy of Jenna Stoch.
