Tembisa’s vibrant arts and music scene continues to thrive through Something Different Live Sessions (SDLS).

The May event, which marked the platform’s one-year anniversary, provided valuable insights that organisers are now putting into action for the highly anticipated June 6 edition.

Raptyl, a key figure behind SDLS, said: “The biggest lesson was: Give people space to participate, not just watch.

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The open mic circle at 16:00 ran 40 minutes longer than planned because the crowd wouldn’t let it stop.”

For the upcoming event, the team is responding directly to that energy. “For June 6, we’re building in one dedicated open mic slot and a bigger sound system so no one’s voice gets lost.”

He also highlighted a standout, unplanned moment. “A young poet joined the poetry stage. That’s the ‘something different’ we’re designing for now.”

The June 6 lineup places strong emphasis on live instrumentation and fresh collaborations. Benny P and UYAH will remix Tembisa folk songs live on stage with a full band, a first for SDLS.

Tswayza and Raptyl are preparing a special set that expands on The Tswayza Show segment. The SDLS team explained: “Turnout told us people want longer sets and better sound.”

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In response, they have doubled the sound budget, added a dedicated live band, scheduled sound checks before 15:00, and kept the popular GL Lifestyle venue for its excellent indoor/outdoor flow that comfortably handles 200+ people.

New elements include the community cypher open mic, where local producers can bring beats, and the Tembisa threads stalls. “We’re giving two local designers stall spaces for tattoos alongside our merch stall,” the team said. “It’s about making the night a marketplace for talent, not just a show.”

To raise the bar, SDLS has introduced two mandatory rehearsals per week in the three weeks before the event. “Curation is stricter. Every artist must either collaborate with someone new or debut original material. No lip-syncing. The goal is ‘you’ve never seen this version before’.”

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Safety measures have also been strengthened. “We’ve added four more security staff, introduced different coloured wrist tags for pre-sold tickets to cut queues, and we’re capping capacity at 400.” Doors will open earlier at 15:00.

The core vision remains firm. “We’re not importing Johannesburg talent to headline. We’re building a stage for our own.”

The ultimate hope is that every person leaves feeling proud. As Raptyl said: “If you were there in May, you saw the start. On June 6, you’ll see it level up.

One feeling we want you to leave with: ‘Tembisa can do this for ourselves, and it’s world class’.”

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