South Africa’s Ramfest Reveal 2023 Headliners: Enter Shikari & The Ocean

South Africa’s most eagerly awaited alternative, rock, and metal festival RamFest is gearing up for an explosive return, and fans are in for a treat with the announcement of not one but two exceptional international headline acts. This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience as it welcomes Enter Shikari and The Ocean to grace its prestigious stage.

In addition to the international headliners, the festival promises to proudly present an incredible lineup of South Africa’s finest alternative, rock, and metal bands. Representing the local talent and reflecting the rich musical landscape of the country, these bands are poised to deliver unforgettable performances that will leave audiences craving for more.

Among the local acts gracing the festival stage are Facing The Gallows, Jack Parow, Peasant, We Kill Cowboys, Sunken State, Fallen Prophets, Acid Magus, Straatligkinders and many more. From emerging artists to established favourites, these bands represent the diverse range of styles and influences within the South African music community.

Since forming in 2003 at school in their hometown of St Albans, UK, Enter Shikari have released seven full-length studio albums; including Take to the Skies (2007), The Mindsweep (2015), and the latest, A Kiss for the Whole World, which was released in April 2023.

Coalescing around a shared vision of limitless sonic exploration and heaviness, The Ocean is a group of artists that has released 10 studio albums in different constellations since 2001.

Right off the back of North American and European tours with Karnivool and Katatonia, the Berlin-based post metal juggernaut released a brand-new studio album in May 2023: ‘Holocene’ sees The Ocean add a closing chapter to their palaeontology-inspired album series, presenting a gear shift towards the electronic world while redefining heaviness at the same time.

Event information

The festival will take place over two days on 1 September at Van Der Stel Sports Club in Stellenbosch and 2 September at Loftus in Pretoria.

This year’s festival will boast two stages with Cape Town’s Ram Stage featuring Enter Shikari, Facing the Gallows, Set for the Sky, Ill System. and We Kill Cowboys and the Metal4Africa Stage boasting The Ocean Collective, The Fallen Prophets, BulletScript, Ohgod, Doom Tirigger, Peasant, and Da Beach Boyz.

In Pretoria the Ram Stage will host Enter Shikari, Jack Parow, Shadowclub, The Tazers, Straatligkinders, Acid Magus, and Man as Machine while the Emalyth Stage will feature The Ocean Collective, The Fallen Prophets, Sunken State, Facing the Gallows, Middle Grounds, Human Nebula, and Worsie van Wyk.

Tickets

Tickets for the Cape Town RamFest are available online at howler.co.za/ramfest2023cpt starting from R199 (sold out) to R400 for general admission and R800 for VIP tickets. Tickets for the Pretoria RamFest are available online at howler.co.za/ramfest2023pta.