Gallo Record Company is celebrating 100 years in 2026 – a full century of recording and championing African music. And they're marking it with something big.
On December 15, 2026, **Gallo 100: The Sound of a Century** takes over Cape Town's Grand Parade for a massive celebration of music, culture, and legacy.
Headlining? Black Coffee – one of Africa's biggest global stars.
And there's more to come. The full lineup will be announced in the weeks ahead, building toward a landmark gathering of the most celebrated voices in African music.
Gallo 100 isn't just a concert. It's a celebration of where African music has been, where it is now, and where it's going. Think live performances, storytelling from the archives, music history, festival vibes, and multiple generations all coming together.
Since 1926, Gallo has captured the sounds that shaped generations. Its catalog covers jazz, mbaqanga, isicathamiya, maskandi, reggae, gospel, pop, rock, soul, house, dance, and kwaito – connecting the label to iconic artists and cultural moments across South African and African music history.
From Solomon Linda's "Mbube" to Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Lucky Dube, Gallo's story is woven into the fabric of African sound.
The Cape Town festival is part of a year-long celebration that includes archive storytelling, playlists, documentaries, exhibitions, live shows, and cultural events.
At the heart of it all: every generation has a soundtrack. For 100 years, Gallo has helped create and preserve those moments. Gallo 100 brings them all together – and invites a new generation to be part of what's next.
"Gallo's centenary isn't just a company milestone. It's a cultural milestone," said Antos Stella, CEO of Music Arena. "For 100 years, Gallo has been part of the soundtrack of people's lives. This honors the artists, producers, writers, communities, and fans who carried that story forward – while celebrating the future of African music."
Black Coffee, one of South Africa's most influential global music figures, has taken the sound of South Africa worldwide – making him the perfect choice to headline a celebration that spans a century.
"Black Coffee represents the global reach of African sound today," Stella added. "Having him headline Gallo 100 lets us honor where the music came from while celebrating where it's going."
More artists and lineup details are still to come.
Expect a full-scale festival experience – live music, top-tier production, food and bars, VIP options, and cultural moments inspired by Gallo's archive.
On December 15, Cape Town becomes the meeting point between a century of musical history and the future of African sound.
One hundred years. Countless songs. Generations of memories. One sound.
**Tickets for Gallo 100: The Sound of a Century are available via Howler.**
**Event:** Gallo 100: The Sound of a Century
**Date:** December 15, 2026
**Venue:** Grand Parade, Cape Town
**Age Restriction:** 18+
Black Coffee Press Images here: