Five high school bands will take the stage this Friday, 21 August, at Curro Durbanville High School for the final of the Kultura-fees Band Battle, with South African rock musician Francois van Coke joining the judging panel before taking to the stage with his band, Die Gevaar. 

Bishops Diocesan College, Curro Century City, Curro Durbanville, Elsies River High School and Tygerberg High School have been selected as finalists following a selection process led by South African singer-songwriter and musician Mark Haze, together with broadcast engineer, blues guitarist and musician Jurgen Human. 

Photo credit: Stephan du Toit

At the final, the five bands will perform for a judging panel that includes Francois van Coke and vocal coach Liana Marx, who will help select this year’s winning band. 

Liana brings 28 years of experience to the panel and has coached some of South Africa’s established artists, alongside her own performance background. 

Ahead of the final, the five bands took part in an exclusive mentorship session with Mark, receiving guidance and music industry insight ahead of their performances. 

Photo credit: Stephan du Toit

Riaan Stroebel, Executive Head of Curro Durbanville, says, ‘The Band Battle gives our learners a stage most high school musicians never get near. To perform alongside an artist like Francois van Coke and to have respected musicians and industry professionals evaluating their performances is the kind of experience that can shape how a young musician sees their own potential. That is what this evening is about. It gives them an opportunity and a platform, not just a school hall.’ 

Photo credit: Stephan du Toit

The Band Battle is the final event in Curro Durbanville High School’s Kultura-fees programme. This year’s programme included Ek is nie Danie, Liewe Heksie en die Wals and Alfred Adriaan – Positive Strokes, as well as performances by Karen Zoid and Anton Eloff and the Nou Praat Jy! speech contest. 

Photo credit: Stephan du Toit

Date: 21 August 2026 
Time: 18:30 
Venue: Curro Durbanville High School Hall 
Cost: R180 per person 
Age restriction: PG 13 

Tickets are available via Quicket.