Vertigo Festival 2025
3 Stages. 16 DJs. 7 Live acts. 16 Visual Artists. One dedicated art exhibition space. Vertigo is an audiovisual festival celebrating music and art through immersive performances and exhibitions.
This weekend, Cape Town’s vibrant art and music scene comes alive with Vertigo Festival, in honour of creativity, tech and innovation. This two-day celebration of electronic music and new media art offers an unparalleled sensory journey as the final event at the iconic venue, The Factory.
“If people come away from the event inspired to create - to write new music, to produce new art, to begin to tell other people about the possibilities of New Media Art, to feel more inspired by technology, as opposed to pessimistic because of it, we’ve succeeded.”
The Festival: 24 - 25 January 2025
Day 1: Exploration
Date: Friday, 24 January 2025
Location: The Pink Room, Gorgeous George Hotel
Vertigo kicks off with a day of industry workshops and conferences designed to explore the intersection of technology and creativity. From AI in art to sustainable event planning, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading industry experts. Sessions will delve into 3D animation, cutting-edge music production, and more. This day is all about fostering connections and inspiring innovation, a must-attend for those passionate about breaking new creative ground.
Day 2: Immersion
Date: Saturday, 25 January 2025
Location: The Factory, 83 Auckland St, Paarden Eiland
On Festival Day, Vertigo transforms Cape Town’s Auckland Street into a pulsating hub of sound and light. Three stages will host a lineup of 16 DJs and 7 live local acts, alongside world-class visual artists, who will orchestrate dynamic LED displays and interactive sculptures, creating immersive audiovisual experiences. The inclusion of a dedicated art exhibition space ensures that visual art stands shoulder to shoulder with the music, elevating the entire experience into an exploration of new sensory dimensions.
What to Expect:
- Sound and Light: Cutting-edge DnB sound systems, a 10-meter LED display, and minimalistic lighting design that spotlights the interplay of visuals and music.
- Art and Innovation: An Art Gallery space showcasing experimental installations and interactive art pieces.
- Interactive Conference: Talks and workshops, allowing attendees to learn and integrate into the festival.
Line-up:
Alexandra Naledi Holtman, Aluta Null, Amy Maurits, Biodive (live), Buli (live), Chocolate Sinclaire, Dead Symbols, Deano, Gonubie, Hypoestes, Joan, Justyn Nell, Kyle Russouw, Mathroom, MVLS, Nicholai Thomas, Paz Shina (live), Piá, Queezy, Ray Bennett, Saunter, Scanate, Singlemotheroftwo (live), Surreal Sessions, tiro!, Tzara, Velly Cekiso, and White Nite.
About Vertigo: A Fusion of Art and Music
“Artistic expression, in general, tries to say something that cannot be expressed in words. Electronic music - at its best - is always making some kind of statement, although that can be abstract. This is similar in any form of expression, whether it be painting, song, digital art, a poem. Sensory experiences are multifaceted. When we here a song, sometimes we have images in our mind. The idea of experimenting at the intersection is simple - to unlock new modes of sensory experience that tell a larger story than a musical or visual component alone. AV performances have the ability to express a very particular story. We see this as a frontier for experimentation in a landscape that is otherwise full of parties with a more linear focus on only one aspect.”
Vertigo Festival brings together electronic music and new media art, as a platform for experimental expression rarely seen in South Africa. Inspired by international festivals like Atonal and CTM, the event integrates striking visual elements into its stages making it not just about dance but an appreciation of creation. South Africa boasts a wealth of artistic talent, and Vertigo is committed to providing a platform for local creators which is why the festival has no particular headliner. For South African artists and audiences, it’s an opportunity to engage with the burgeoning field of new media art in a new yet cohesive way.
Vertigo is just the beginning of a larger conversation about the potential of new media art in South Africa. The idea has been germinating for over a year, with activations happening throughout 2024. While the concept has grown into a festival-sized event, Vertigo is still a big experiment that will take years to refine and will continue to transform.
Vertigo Festival x Shelflife
Limited Editions Tees:
To celebrate the first ever Vertigo Festival, we have partnered with Vertigo on a limited edition festival tee designed by Alexander Alien and Scanate. These tees have Shelflife’s signature relaxed fit and will be on sale at the festival this Saturday, the 25th of January 2025.
Shelflife Sound 012: Gonubie
To truly get you ready for this weekend we also linked up with one of the DJ's playing at Vertigo Festival - Gonubie aka raresoftware, to bring you our first Shelflife Sound mix of the year.
Check out SL Sound 012 HERE or listen below!
Vertigo Festival tickets are available HERE —don’t miss out on this unforgettable journey.
“Have an open mind and get lost in the performances. Be open to being surprised. Bring your best dancing shoes.”