INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 15: D Smoke and SiR preforms during the 75th NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Joe Murphy /NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE MURPHY / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)
The wait is finally over for South African R&B and neo-soul purists. Darryl Andrew Farris, better known to global audiences as Inglewood SiR, is officially making his long-awaited South African debut this weekend.
Signed to the powerhouse independent label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), the Inglewood, California-based singer-songwriter is set to headline the latest instalment of the Once Upon a Time in Joburg event series.
Known for curating intimate, high-quality R&B and neo-soul experiences, event organisers Doctor Bird Productions have a track record of bringing premier international talent to South African shores, having previously hosted acclaimed acts like DVSN and GoldLink. Bringing SiR over as a headliner is a massive nod to a local fanbase that has long craved hearing his signature smooth, introspective, and emotional vibe live.
Everything you need to know about Once Upon a Time in Joburg presents Inglewood SiR
The highly anticipated musical showcase takes place on Saturday, 23 May 2026 at the scenic, semi-outdoor Rosefield Equestrian (Polo) Club in Centurion, Pretoria.
Gates are scheduled to open at noon, with the festival building momentum throughout the day until SiR takes the stage to close out the night around 9 pm.
The international star won’t be alone. A stellar lineup of local talent is set to warm up the stage, featuring homegrown favourites Thando Zide, LIA Butler, and SN Project.
Tickets were a hot commodity, starting at R750 via Quicket and were still available at the time of writing. But, with the event reaching limited availability, a wave of resale activity has taken over social media. For those looking to keep the night going, buzz is already building around an exclusive afterparty in Bryanston.
Setlist sneak peek
To give fans a taste of what’s to come, SiR dropped an official 20-song Spotify playlist titled “Once Upon a Time in Joburg”. The curation heavily reflects his live-band energy, blending emotional ballads and mid-tempo grooves.
Confirmed tracks on the playlist include HEAVY (INTRO), KARMA, John Redcorn, You Can’t Save Me, The Canvas, SIX WHOLE DAYS, NO EVIL and ONLY HUMAN (Part 1).
While fans are thrilled to see heavy hitters like John Redcorn and material from his latest album Heavy, the playlist has also sparked a roaring debate online that many have dubbed embarrassing for how unkind local fans were to the singer.
R&B stans have pointed out the omission of certain absolute classics, such as D’Evils and Summer in November, leading to a flurry of social media requests for the singer to dig even deeper into his November and Chasing Summer catalogues during the live show.
