One stringed hopeful at an audition in Sandton.
South Africa’s most talked-about talent competition, Idols SA, returns to our screens for a resounding ninth season on Sunday, 28 July at 17:30. Once again, the series is a co-production between the two powerhouse pay-television channels M-Net and Mzansi Magic, which will simulcast all the episodes. And, as per usual, viewers can tune into the Idols Extra channel, channel 199, for more angelic, audacious or cringe-worthy auditions.
This season, however, Idols SA is hitting the refresh button with a special highlights episode featuring more auditions, new sets, amazing talent and an exciting move to the city of Tshwane. The Idols Top 10 Spectacular Shows and Live Results Shows will take place at the state-of-the-art auditorium at the Moreleta Park Church in Pretoria East, while the finalists will be determined by the Group Phase performances at the State Theatre.
“Going to these venues in Tshwane opens up opportunities to take Idols to the next level,” says M-Net’s Head of Communications, Lani Lombard. “The auditorium, for example, can seat more than 6000 Idols fans and crowds of new people who haven’t been exposed to the magic of live Idols performances will be able to experience these spectacular stage-shows first-hand.”
M-Net and Mzansi Magic will release information about the ticket sales shortly. “In the meantime, be sure you’re part of every step in the Idols journey by watching the lead-up to the Spectaculars,” continues Lombard. The first episode of Idols SA Season 9 (Sunday, 28 July at 17:30) covers the Cape Town auditions, where Idols judge Unathi Msengana desperately tries to persuade her increasingly-picky counterparts Randall Abrahams and Gareth Cliff to give more singers the green light.
The following week, (Sunday, 4 August) thousands of wannabes rock up at the Durban auditions to follow in the famous footsteps of last year’s winner Khaya Mthethwa and in episode 4 (Sunday 11, August) it’s Gauteng’s chance to impress the judges. But, as a special treat to viewers, M-Net and Mzansi Magic have added a fourth bonanza auditions episode to this year’s line-up. On Sunday, 18 August, you can enjoy a range of clips that weren’t part of the first three episodes.
“This year’s auditions were extra special,” explains Idols SA’s Executive Producer, Gavin Wratten. “The volume of fantastic footage just warranted an additional episode.” Idols SA will be on M-Net and Mzansi Magic from Sunday, 28 July until Tuesday, 25 November, when the Live Finale takes place. The Idols Extra channel 199 will run from Sunday 28, July after the first episode, at 19:00 until the end of the Theatre Phase.
