Standing ovation, tears, joy: Kelvin Momo's Redbull Symphonic is a 10-out-of-10 production

News24

07-06-2025

Day one of the 2025 Redbull Symphonic, which happened on Friday, 6 June with Kelvin Momo at the centre of the action, went without a glitch.
Momo has a setlist of 18 songs for the night – a number that might be considered small for his music catalogue, but the creme de la creme from his repertoire.
Those in attendance witnessed that there's no love lost between Momo and Babalwa M.
Curious to see what song would kick off the musical extravaganza, the anticipation was electrifying. Day one of the 2025 Redbull Symphonic, which happened on Friday, 06 June with Kelvin Momo at the centre of the action, went off without a glitch.
The pitch was perfect, and the acoustics were stunning from the first note at Montecasino's Teatro. What song kicked off the night? The unexpected Four Corners of the World featuring Mzizi, with deep Sotho lyrics and an ethereal vibe. The single from Momo's Ntsako album set the scene.
Right on cue, with a Moholobela (the traditional Basotho blanket) on his shoulder and a Mokorotlo (the traditional hat worn by the Basotho people of Lesotho and Southern Africa) as his crown, Mzizi walks on stage as the curtain lifts. Ushered by images of trees and the lights to match, he has a guitar and sets a musical treat of note into motion.
The big screen with Redbull Symphonic lifts to reveal Kelvin and renowned conductor Adam Howard. Looking dapper, the two men are dressed in tailored black suits, Howard's jacket is adorned with wing-shaped glitter on the shoulders and back, while Momo accessorises his look with a 'Boys of Soweto' blanket he hangs on his arm.
After a wave, a bow, and a hug, the two musical geniuses deliver on their promise to give fans an unforgettable night. Mzizi strums his guitar, and the Egoli orchestra begins to deliver magic through well-executed notes and harmonies.
A choir of eight – four women and four men – join the DJ, conductor, and orchestra on stage.
READ | WATCH | 'I'm grateful': Kelvin Momo announced as SA's 2025 Redbull Symphonic main act
The crowd doesn't know it yet, but Momo has a setlist of 18 songs for the night – a number that might be considered small for his music catalogue, but the creme de la creme from his repertoire.
Themba follows Four Corners of World from his Sewe album, which features the late Yallunder and Mkeyz. A close friend of Momo's, Yallunder, died earlier this year in March, which sees her vocals play in the background as Mkeyz joins Momo on stage.
In his Thato Ya Modimo album, released just a few days before the Redbull Symphonic, he interludes with a song called Buya, which features and is a tribute to the late vocalist.
The crowd is already warmed up when he switches gears to a re-imagined Umoya. Dressed in a body-hugging red dress, singer Mashudu sings her heart out, and the crowd joins her for the chorus of the hit song from Momo's Amukelani album.
Crowd favourites Wa Nsiya from Momo's Kurhula album, and an orchestra-infused Soweto Groove follows.
Like a kid witnessing Santa deliver everything he listed on his wish list, Momo is super happy watching his dream unfold. A jazzy vibe fills the room as Soweto Groove plays.
Joining with his sax, Adam leaves conducting duties for a minute to join the fun. It's clear to the audience that he's having the time of his life on stage.
Pictures of Momo's musical influences, including the late Hugh Masekela, flash in the background during the 'battle' of the strings.
READ | WATCH | Kelvin Momo shares process behind how he names his album
The crowd is singing along. There are no lyrics to Soweto Groove, but everyone seems to have chosen an instrument to embody. There's lah lah lah and imitation of saxophone sounds bouncing off the walls. Not a majaivane (good dancer) per se, Momo keeps to his signature salsa-inspired moves every time he steps away from the DJ desk.
2024's Emaphupeni starts, igniting questions about Babalwa's whereabouts as Makhanj – also dressed in a body-hugging red dress, steps onto the stage alone to belt out her parts of the hit song.
Then Inyembezi, a song Momo looked forward to recreating, has him step away from the desk to sing the lyrics with his fans.
Originally, the song had vocals from Babalwa M and Aymos, but on stage, Momo had the choir delivering the vocals instead.
In an interview with News24, Momo told off the song's story and origins. At conception, the song had the words he needed someone to say to him because, thanks to the music industry, he was filled with doubt. This after his Private School album catapulted him into fame. Momo said when he created his Ivy League album, he needed to remind himself that 'he's not money, and he won't make everyone happy'.
What he needed to do was stick to his guns, and he did. There's satisfaction in his face when he sings the song now. He's lived his song. The audience can tell.
Then, totally unexpectedly, rapper Areece comes out as the stage 'resets.' Instead of the private school Amapiano everyone is here for, Areece raps: 'If Kelvin did it, I got the feeling I can do it too.'
The flute shines at this time, and Kelvin, probably too shy to sing his own praises, does his version of Kabza De Small's Kabza Chant (in the song, Kabza totes his own horn, with the help of industry contributors who consider him the GOAT as well). It's a song that says, 'I am the guy I think I am'.
The 'Uphi o Babalwa?' whispers continue as Momo, Howard, and the orchestra deliver beautiful versions of some of Momo's hits, Jazzzue, Uhambe Wrongo, and Vulani.
Bo Gogo and Waze Wamuhle get the crowd on their feet. With the vibes in full effect – plus the alcohol in the audience's systems – the theatre turns into a mini club.
Then there's a pause. Momo disappears behind the stage. When he comes out, a question that has been all night is finally answered.
Where's Babalwa M? She walks out with Momo hand-in-hand on stage, dressed in a short, embezzled hot pink dress. Later in the show, Momo thanks his family, friends and mother-in-law, confirming that he's off the market. The pair, who were romantically linked and then alleged to have broken up, presented a united front on stage.
Having contributed to most of Momo's hits, Babalwa gets her flowers as soon as she walks onto the stage, from Momo and the audience, evidenced by the screams.
The Babalwa segment begins with Pholisa Intliziyo, with a brief appearance by Baby S.O.N. Then, one of Momo's biggest songs, Sukakude, which means we've come far from where we started, begins – re-imagined but equally mesmerising.
READ | 'Music saved me': Kelvin Momo talks humble beginnings, pioneering private school amapiano
Then, we are transported seamlessly into Amalobolo before Babalwa leaves the stage and the song that ends the night begins.
Song Cry from Momo's Ivy League, featuring Mhaw Keys, is rightfully the last song because it changes the mood in the room.
Momo sheds tears, seemingly in disbelief that he's living his dream at that moment. The Egoli orchestra, with Howard conducting, and the magical vocals from the choir transport the audience to a different place.
The show is over when the song ends, and everyone lands back on planet Earth. 'Where did the time go?' says someone behind me. I relate. The show was too short. I am sure day two and three will be a treat.
For those who failed to get the tickets, the full show will be screened as a 'delayed live' on Channel O in July, so eventually, everyone will get a front-row seat.
Stay tuned to Red Bull and Channel O's social channels for details, and run to social media for the teasers.