Moonchild Sanelly + Nara Sounds (South Africa)

Known for her wide ranging sonic excursions, flamboyant costumes and collaborations with Damon Albarn, Gorillaz and African Express, the South African musician Moonchild Sanelly has done things her way from the beginning. Growing up in Port Elizabeth with a hip-hop producer brother and a mum who would put her onstage from a young age to compete in dance competitions, Sanelisiwe Twisha’s music-filled childhood was full of creativity. Her passion for music became ignited when she moved to Durban in 2005, initially to study fashion. There, she immersed herself in the local scene before she relocated to Johannesburg where she would write for reggae bands and freestyle against other rappers. 

It didn’t take long until she established her sound, which she describes as ‘future-ghetto-funk’. Having crafted a live show where she designed flamboyant outfits to perform in, she became a star on her home turf, and found a global audience, performing at festivals such as SXSW, Primavera, Glastonbury, Boardmasters and beyond. After her debut album “Rabulpha!” put her on the global map, she signed to Transgressive records in 2020, kicking off with diverse mini-LP ‘Nüdes’. Her latest album “Phases” veers between Amapiano, Gqom, grime, pop, house and R&B while showcasing her vocal talents on more downtempo songs. Moonchild Sanelly contains multitudes. She visited Oslo World in 2018, and we are proud to have this singular talent back at our festival this year. 

NARA results from over 60 years of combined experience in music and culture, comprising five dedicated women. Nora Mamdu -DJ, curator, sound designer, and A&R, Amira Ali Morstaq - DJ, artist, project manager, and A&R, Aissatou Ceesay - Mother of the jewelry brand Diawéne, model, marketing and project manager, Henriette Sakrisvold - art director, marketing, graphic and visual design, and Nora Paynter Gundersen - DJ, economist, event manager, and sommelier. Their club concept NARA SOUNDS, is the place for the gurlies, the gays, the theys, and the allies who love dancing to electronic music from all over the world. NARA invite international and local acts who each contribute to pushing the club scene and culture forward.