The underground ignores the kind of cold that makes staying in bed seem like a completely reasonable lifestyle choice, and June’s nightlife calendar is proof that some of the best nights out happen when everyone should probably be at home. Text the group chat, buy a ticket. Here are five parties worth leaving home for.
Degrees & Decibels: Rave4Rukshana
I’ve always said this – one of the most radical things we can do is party. The dance floor has always been a political space capable of making real change. Cape Town’s mutual aid collective Rave4Revolution has been at the forefront of this. This special edition of their party Degrees & Decibels is support of one of our community’s bravest and beloved members. Funds raised from the event will go directly to helping Rukshana complete the final run toward her Masters degree in African Gender Studies at UCT. With a stacked lineup of Cape Town’s prolific underground DJs and a cause worth raving for – why wouldn’t you be here?
When: 05 June 2026 / Where: EVOL, Cape Town / Tickets: Here
Creative agency and label Raving In Joburg’s ongoing event series The Get Down finds a new home at the very cool Mary Jane’s Hacienda. What makes The Get Down an event that should be on your radar regularly is that the night is all about emerging talent, a rare showcase that doesn’t rely on recycling headliners or “big names” to cultivate an audience. This is a lineup of DJs who are shaping the future of Joburg’s underground into something alive, honest, and unforgettable.
When: 06 June 2026 / Where: Mary Jane’s Hacienda, Kensington / Tickets: Here
For the past year, 999 has been filling a largely overlooked gap in Mother City nightlife – hard, thumping, unapologetically massive electronic music. Platforming niche hard and fast genres like industrial and schranz, 999 takes the dankest parts of Europe’s techno underbelly and chucks it slap bang in the middle of Cape Town. Their lineups are also diverse and full of fresh talent, making these head-banging raves worth fucking up your neck alignment.
When: 13 June 2026 / Where: Roxy Woodstock, Cape Town / Tickets: Here
Listen- any party at EVOL that promises a “weird vibe” gets an enthusiastic stamp of approval and shot of tequila from me. Also, the day before Youth Day? Let the children BOOGIE! Final Rush (a name awfully reminiscent of every club kid’s favourite brand of essential oil) is all about “thumping music hand selected by some of our favourite DJ’s making waves in Cape Town’s underground,” and with acts like Zahra, DJ Danger Ingozi, and Ayli on board – this one is definitely worth checking out.
When: 15 June 2026 / Where: EVOL, Cape Town / Tickets: Here
Following the sudden cancellation of their last planned event, independent electronic music label Garden Groove are returning lusher and than before. Going down at Assembly (no, not that one) – a new warehouse space in Woodstock – expect a day to night affair full of the rhythmic, textured house and melodic techno the label is renowned for.
When: 27 June 2026 / Where: Assembly, Cape Town / Tickets: Here
