Cape Town’s underground is one constantly in flux, continuously responding to cultural shifts and the challenges these present for its respective communities. It’s an ecosystem that constantly building itself from the inside out, and Airy is one of the collectives who have slowly been shaping its next phase. The creative collective’s ongoing event series doubles down on a simple but often overlooked idea: that a party becomes a jol through its community, not its headliners. And with the majority of the lineup for their upcoming sophomore edition made up of Cape Town artists, Airy is positioning itself as a space where the city’s creative ecosystem can evolve on its own terms.
To curate the sonic direction of the night, Airy is teaming up with DJ duo Surreal Sessions, who have approached the lineup as an opportunity for collaboration and creative exchange. “We’ve taken the talent we think are pushing the envelope in regards to music and sound, and put them together with each other to play [back to back] sets,” Surreal Sessions say. ” The idea is to create a whole different vibe and feel to what they usually would do.” It’s a bold, exciting choice that shifts the dynamics of a typical DJ performance. The format demands conversation between the artists as they work together to control of the room. The result is something less predictable, but more intrinsic.
Though originally slated to happen at outdoor venue Texas, the event has now moved to The Hexagon due to weather constraints. It’s a shift that ultimately works in its favour. “Hexagon has great sound and not a lot of seating so people will have to actually dance and fill the dance floor,” Surreal Session say. The club’s unique in-the-round DJ booth also lends itself to the event’s ethos of creating a communal space, with the focus of the dance floor turning inward. Accessibility remains a core part of the model too, with ticket pricing and programming designed to bring people in rather than keep them out. It’s an important consideration in a city where exclusivity often defines value, and the cost of living only continues to get more hectic.
The event’s video game-inspired rollout has also been part of its community focus, framing its communications in a format that feels playful and interactive. The focus remains clear: build a platform where local talent can flourish together. On the lineup, Surreal Sessions go B2B with Knator, while two of the city’s most exciting emerging talents Not A She and Shakes meet on the mixer for what will undoubtedly be a standout moment. Also on the lineup are International Pantsula, Nsimbi, and Bones going B2B with Aizo Clutch. This promises to be a blueprint for an active, collaborative scene — one that grows increasingly confident in its own identity.
Tickets for Surreal Sessions & Friends x Airy Collective are available via Quicket.
