Galpalooza Festival ZA is a proudly woman fronted festival, created in 2023 by Jolene East and Rockford Media in response to the overwhelming male dominant festival line ups of most festivals in the country (something that seems to be a common issue here in SA as well as globally). Held annually over the National Woman’s Day weekend in August, it is a celebration of the many powerful and talented woman who make up the music scene in South Africa.
While we do not yet have a LOUD WOMAN FEST in South Africa, we are fortunate to have Galpalooza which has stepped up to fill the gap, and create a platform to showcase the talented woman of our country and their ability to not only head up the line up of a festival, but hold the attention of the masses for the length of a festival. The festival is a family friendly event, featuring a stellar line up of female fronted acts and a vibrant art and lifestyle market.
South Africa is a country with eleven official languages and even more cultures, creating the tapestry of the nation. As always, it is woman who nurture the nation, hold its stories and birth, or guide, the creative changes that must occur.
The line up for this festival is filled with the colour, culture and languages of the Rainbow Nation, featuring many bilingual artist sharing music molded by their unique cultural experiences and musical heritage. With more than twenty acts on the line up, there was certainly something for everyone’s musical tastes at Galpalooza 2025.
As is so often the case, without financial support, initiatives such as this one, would not be possible, While Jolene hopes that in future, ticket sales will fund the continuation and growth of the event, Galpalooza is fortunate to have had some amazing sponsors and businesses get behind the concept and proudly back the growth of this festival, knowing as Jolene does, that woman deserve the opportunity to showcase their creations.
Galpalooza is about giving woman a place to connect and build a community and a platform to share real woman’s experiences, honestly authentically and bravely. Music helps us to understand each other and so communicate better.
If you If you look up the word “Sisterhood”, you will find it’s definition is “Galpalooza” – Belinda and Amy Band ,Galpalooza 2025
We don’t want you to feel bad about what we are saying, we want you to know what woman are going through. Raw honesty doesn’t sit well with a crowd, but that needs to change. You’re buying a ticket to feel something, so sit through those tough songs, because the next song will open you up.
While interviewing Jolene, we discussed how perhaps it is time for male dominant acts to put their money where their mouth is (many often say that they feel woman should feature more on festival line ups) and perhaps encourage festivals and booking agents by offering a small reduction in their fee (10 %for example) if festivals use that money to book at least one female act to balance the line up. Jolene and I both felt that this would go a long way towards not only building a more balanced music scene but also would certainly impress and create connection with the female fanbase (something to consider chaps!)
Men should listen to more woman in music, they say they want a woman in their lives, so then they should show up for women, and learn to listen.
The world needs that feminine energy because it’s hard out there, it’s ugly, all we hear about is wars and all the mess. The one thing that is always seen throughout history, is how music changes during these times. We as woman bring a nurturing vibe, while we still fight for change in so many things.
This last Galpalooza Fest was absolutely magical. What an honour to host and showcase powerful female solo’s, duo’s and trio’s this past weekend. With over 20 female acts!We aim to showcase female fronted acts that’s widely overlooked, underestimated and unseen in the music scene in South Africa. As Galpalooza we strive towards hosting an eGALentarian movement where we believe in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunity. Galpalooza Fest 2025, was just that! We supported, sang, danced, howled at the full moon! It was a celestial celebration that tied this sisterhood tight together. Each artist was absolutely magical! The showcase of female talent was mesmerizing. Nothing will stop these Gals, nothing will hush their emotions. The songs were deep, soulful, and inspiring and we can’t wait for Galpalooza 2026.
With hope that more festivals like Loud Woman Festival and Galpalooza will grow and continue to change the world, as a whole, for the better by raising more femine voices above the fray, I leave you with one last quote from Jolene.
I don’t want to be a fluffer, I want to be an artist.
Submissions for Galpalooza 2026 officially open in September so watch their socials for more information on how to participate!
Galpalooza | facebook | Instagram