South African gothic-alternative pioneers No Friends of Harry are back from beyond the grave, and they’re making their big return on Halloween. After nearly a decade away from local stages, the band is reuniting for a limited tour across Johannesburg and Cape Town this October and November. Dubbed “The Broken Generation Tour,” the run coincides with the long-awaited release of a definitive box set — a treasure trove that spans their chart-climbing debut One Came Running, gothic gem Into the Valley, and hard-rocking 15 Seconds, plus an entire album of rediscovered rarities, demos, and live recordings remastered from long-lost tapes.
The highlight of the Cape Town leg comes in the form of a Halloween blowout at Woodstock Brewery on 31 October. Hosted by Wireless Cowgirl Events and Rock It Real, the night promises freaky fun with sets from loop artist Lukin Joshua and long-time scene champion DJ Squeek, before NFOH take the stage. Expect a mix of nostalgia, cult classics, and the raw, high-energy performance that earned them the moniker “The Legendary No Friends of Harry.” Costumes are encouraged, of course.
Kicking off at The Hangout Legends in Joburg on 25 October and closing at Troyeville on 8 November, the short but potent tour feels like a reclamation of their legacy. From their audacious free gig on the steps of the Johannesburg Library in 1989 to their London club circuit surprise in 1990, NFOH’s history has always been one of defiance, creativity, and cult appeal. The new box set and tour are more than just a reunion: they’re a chance for both old-school followers and a fresh generation to rediscover a band that defined South Africa’s alternative underground.
Tickets for the Halloween show are available through Quicket.
