Jorja Smith set for SA debut as 'Rocking the Daisies' 2026 headliner

The South African music events season is already heating up, with Jorja Smith confirmed as one of the headline acts for “Rocking the Daisies” 2026.

The three-day festival is set to take place from October 2 to 4 at Cloof Wine Estate in Cape Town, and this year’s line-up is kicking off with a major international name as usual.

For many of the singer’s fans, it also marks a long-awaited moment, as this will be Smith’s first time performing in South Africa.

The festival took to their social media to announce the first headliner for the highly anticipated event of the year.

Known for her smooth and rich vocals and introspective songwriting, the “February 3rd” singer has built a strong global following with projects like “Lost & Found” and “Falling or Flying”.

Her sound blends R&B, soul and subtle jazz influences, with songs like “Blue Lights” and “Be Honest” helping cement her place as one of the standout voices of her generation.

Her catalogue also includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, from Black Coffee and Drake to Burna Boy, as well as a link-up with Major League DJz.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions online. While many fans are excited to finally see her live, others have expressed their disappointment as they had been expecting a different headline act.

That reaction didn’t just come out of nowhere. In the lead-up to the announcement, the festival had been dropping subtle hints on their social pages, trying to get fans guessing. 

One of the biggest clues was a garden chair paired with a flower, which many people immediately linked to SZA’s aesthetic. Others even thought it pointed to Ravyn Lenae.

So when Smith was finally announced, it wasn’t what a lot of people had in mind. The reaction online came instantly, and not all of it was positive. Some fans felt let down and said so openly.

X user, @u_mtho, wrote: “Death, Taxes and Daisies bringing someone who peaked 10 years ago.” 

That sentiment popped up a few times across X, with some arguing that Smith as a headliner might have made more sense a few years ago. 

The feeling from that side of the timeline is that she’s not quite at her peak right now in 2026, especially when compared to other names fans were expecting.

Another, @uhmziggy, said: “Rocking the Daises that’s not a headliner 🌝,” while @lithaley27 added: “This is NOT what the fans want to see”.

“Rocking the Daisies” has built a reputation for delivering memorable moments, having previously hosted artists like Kehlani and Summer Walker. 

Those performances have often gone beyond just the music, shaping festival culture and social media conversations long after the weekend ends.

This year’s edition continues under its “Welcome to the Garden” theme, leaning into the festival’s mix of music, art and lifestyle experiences. 

Alongside the performances, fans can expect curated food spaces, interactive installations and new elements aimed at elevating the overall experience.

More artists are still set to be announced in the coming weeks, with the first phase of tickets already on sale.