When international bands and popular local icons perform in South Africa, there are generally only a few venues around the country which can accommodate all their fans.

Some venues are luxurious, some a little more humble, but the majority of fans don’t care where they are, so long as the artist(s)they’re there to see performs. Read on to discover which talented performers will be gracing South African shores in the coming months.

Gauteng – Carnival City

• Jeff Dunham – 14, 15, 16 June, 20:00pm
  Expect laughs a minute from this internationally acclaimed ventriloquist and his team of puppets. The usual suspects scheduled to appear with him include Achmed, Walter and Peanut.

• International Jazz Concert – 7 July, 20:00pm
  The much-loved International Jazz Concert is being held this year at Carnival City. David Sanborn, hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the greatest saxophonists in the past few decades, will be performing with Joe Sample, a talented composer and pianist.

• Celtic Woman – 28 September, 20:00pm
  These lilting lassies are known best for their self-titled first album, Celtic Woman, and household favourite songs such as Walking in the Air, Ave Maria, and Someday.

Gauteng – Coca-cola Dome

• André Rieu – 17 August 2012, 20:00pm
  Returning to South Africa for the third consecutive year, this world renowned classical performer will be maestro once again to the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Pretoria – Moretele Park

• The Moretele Park Tribute Concert – 1 September, (time TBC)
  Now in its 15^thyear, the Moretele Park Tribute Concert is widely known for showcasing the newest local music talent, and features popular South African superstars.

  

Western Cape – Grand West Casino

• Jeff Dunham – 5 and 6 June, 20:00pm
  The international comic genius takes to the stage again this year for another politically incorrect performance, along with his cast of slightly maniacal dummies, such as Melvin the Superhero Guyand Bubba J.

• Roxette – 8 June, 20:00pm
  Roxette is a household name, and they are returning to South  to hold another concert, after being so well received last year. Crowd pleasers such as It Must Have Been Love, How do you do, and Listen to Your Heart had the audience singing along last year. Opening for them will be Paul Almeida.

• Celtic Woman – 2 October, 20:00pm
  The team known as Celtic Woman has taken the world by storm ever since 2004.Two of the main members have even released their own albums, titled “Chloë, Walking in the Air” by Chloë Agnew and “Celtic Woman, Lisa” by Lisa Kelly. This performance will certainly leave you spell-bound.

  

Western Cape – Cape Town International Convention Centre

• Disney On Ice – 6 to 8 July, 08:00 AM To 23:00 PM
  Get ready for some classic Disney characters performing a dazzling display on ice.  Featured to appear are the Pixar CARS, the little Mermaid and her underwater world, Peter Pan’s Tinkerbell and friends, as well as the Toy Story gang with Buzz and Woody.

KwaZulu-Natal – ICC

• Jeff Dunham – 7 June, 20:00pm
  This acclaimed ventriloquist will be gracing the coastal shores of Durban for another roof-raising performance. Likely characters to appear include José Jalapeño and Sweet Daddy Dee.

  

KwaZulu-Natal – Durban Exhibition Centre

• Freek Fest ft Die Antwoord– 8 June, 19:00pm
  The incredibly popular Afrikaans group, Die Antwoord will be performing at this festival, having been travelling the world for almost two years.  Songs performed will be a mixture of hip-hop and rap.

Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

• The Mbay Megafest has a great line up of stars like Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Mi Casa and Shaggy. Although the festival was supposed to take place in mid-June 2012, the date is currently being changed and has yet to be finalised.

Let us know which live show’s you’re hoping to catch, and which performers outdid themselves last year.