Jordan Rakei performs at Marks Park Emmarentia in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov. 30, 2024.

JOHANNESBURG — New-Zealand-born, Australia-raised electronica fusion artist Jordan Rakei brought his new album to Marks Park in Johannesburg on Saturday during one of two South Africa dates.

South Africans from far and wide gathered in the City of Gold on a sunny summer afternoon with their foldable chairs and picnic blankets.

With the sun setting, Rakei kicked things off with “Learning,” from the new album, The Loop, forcefully humming and delivering a soothing falsetto as the rest of his band walked onto the stage.

“It’s good to be back, South Africa,” he said as he eased into “Mad World,” off third album, Origin. It proved to be a clear crowd favorite, as the attendees chanted along, and for a moment, drowned out the singer-songwriter.

Just as the song slowed, Rakei brought the crowd back in the loop with “Freedom,” with its psychedelic jerky tones and sharp choral singing. The song was fitting for South Africa—where millions had to literally fight for their freedom—through its message and urgency. Rakei seemed to put attendees in a trance as the energy reached its peak.

Jordan Rakei performs at Marks Park Emmerentia in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov. 30, 2024.

Rakei spoke about wanting to make The Loop organic and acoustic, embracing the imperfections of live performances. He said he wanted an album that wasn’t made on a computer. On stage, the music ebbed and flowed, as if taking on new life.

“You guys requested a song I haven’t performed in a while,” he said, introducing the chords to “Sorceress.”

“Darkness growing over me silently/ It’s creeping closer,” he sang with the crowd as his backup singer.

Throughout the performance, Rakei praised his bandmates, giving each of them a moment in the spotlight. In the last few minutes of “Flowers,” vocalist Eliza Oakes soulfully serenaded the crowd with a silky tone.

Attendees watch Jordan Rakei perform at Marks Park Emmerentia in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov. 30, 2024.

“Congratulations on winning the World Cup, as much as I hate to say it,” Rakei said with a laugh. He was referring to the Rugby World Cup, in which South Africa’s Springboks wiped the floor with New Zealand’s All Blacks. “Let’s go the All Black! We should have won it—was a bad red card.”

This garnered a jovial jeer from the crowd and drew a laugh from the artist, who then got fans back on his side with “Everything Everything.” As the sun set, the performance turned into a dance party.

“It’s a Saturday night, so if you want to dance, feel free,” Rakei shouted over the marimba percussion that gave a jazzy African feel to the song.

As he concluded the concert with “Friend and Foe,” the Jozi crowd began to chant, “Jordan, we wanna party.” He gave in to the demands and added “Mind’s Eye.”

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