Johannesburg’s much-loved TrevTober music experience is marking its fifth anniversary with an international line-up, live performances and a distinctly local celebration of the city’s music and creative culture.
The festival returns on 24 October 2026, taking over Mea Culpa in Sandton for an edition that promises to be one of the city’s standout music and lifestyle experiences of the year.
What started as a celebration of music has grown into a cultural movement built around sound, connection, community and the anticipation of discovering what happens when the right people come together in the right space.
For its fifth edition, TrevTober will transform Mea Culpa into a three-part musical journey, taking guests from the greenery and relaxed atmosphere of the garden to the rooftop before culminating in the energy of the main stage.
Global sounds meet Johannesburg energy
Adding an international flavour to the celebration are Omar from the UK, Frances Jaye from the US and Brazil’s Marcelo Tavares.
The trio brings an international dimension to a festival that remains firmly anchored in Johannesburg’s creative and musical identity.
They will be joined by Thabo Smol, who is set to perform with a live band and showcase music from his recent album, Dithupa Tsa Smol.
Kitchen Mess will also take to the stage, adding their live sound to a line-up designed to move across different moods, genres and musical experiences.
The local contingent features some of South Africa’s leading selectors and musicians, including Trev The Japanese, T-Bose, Nicky B, Vinny Da Vinci, Bubbles, Thabo Phalatse, Brian Blaq, Thami 537, Mr. 55, Simmy, Juss Banks, Chainz, S-Girl, Kabelo Phalatse, Daddy Twist, Owza, David Soulmarti, Smoothie-T, Syrin, Subman, Mister X, Les da Groove, Magic Prince, Kalawa, Mr. Spike, Marco D’Mel, Gordz, Danny The Jazz, TeddyPeace, KZBL, Tibza (SZW), Floyd Mash and St. Jones, among others.
TrevTober is about more than the music
For founder Trev the Japanese, the five-year milestone is as much about the people behind the experience as it is about the performances.
“Five years feels special because we’ve built this together with the people who have continued to show up, support us and make TrevTober what it is,” he says.
“The music is at the heart of everything, but it’s also about the feeling, the conversations, the unexpected moments, the people you meet and the memories you leave with.”
He says the TrevTober Turns 5 theme is intended to celebrate the journey while giving audiences something fresh to experience.
That philosophy is reflected in the festival’s layout, with each space offering a different atmosphere as guests move through the day and into the night.
A Johannesburg experience with global appeal
Although international artists are part of this year’s celebration, TrevTober continues to put Johannesburg at the centre of its identity.
The festival is rooted in the city’s people, sounds and vibrant creative culture, bringing together different influences while maintaining a strong local character.
Powered by SAMPRA, the fifth edition aims to demonstrate how local music culture can embrace international sounds without losing its own identity.
Launched in October 2022, TrevTober has continued to build a reputation around music, community and shared experiences, creating a space where music lovers can discover sounds, connect with one another and make memories.
As it celebrates five years, the festival is looking to turn another October gathering into a defining Johannesburg moment.
Tickets are available through the official TrevTober website.
