HEAT Festival’s call to culture

Supporting local music through the intimate setting of Wren Hinds & Francesca Biancoli

Winter in Cape Town can often feel like flaky plans, staying in, and desperate attempts to stay warm while keeping a beady eye on your electricity consumption. But sometimes, as the winter drags on, you need a little lift – the Heat Festival was exactly that lift for me. 

Just three years old, the Heat Festival once again urged audiences out of the comfort of their homes to experience breathtaking artwork, live theatre, and listen to local musicians doing what they do best. I had the good fortune to see an intimate performance of Wren Hinds Band and Francesca Biancoli. 

Photography by Luke Swanepoel

The melodic call to prayer of a Friday evening and howling Cape Town winds echoed in my mind as I entered the Spier Arts Gallery to see the gig. It felt like a poetic release and gift to close the week with music.

Tucked away next to the giant tent structure that is currently parliament, the Spier Hub Art Gallery is designed for art. You notice this as soon as you enter, encountering the Delete Nton’ntoni exhibition of bold mixed-media collages by artist collective Knowledge Marongedza, Lwando Dlamini, Luyanda Mkhuthungu, and Tafadzwa Tega. The art experience shifts to music as you move towards the stage.

A host of the HEAT Festival welcomed me and described how the festival is about creating a space for people to gather, especially in winter, and a call to get out and experience Cape Town’s culture. 

I’d listened to the bands all day before the gig to get a sense of the evening (plus I love being able to partake in a sing-along). I was struck by the contrast of the performers’ music styles. With the soulful, neo-jazz, folk tunes from Biancoli and the alternative, indie-folk sounds of Wren Hinds Band, my curiosity was piqued.

The Atmospheric Sounds of Wren Hinds

Seeing Wren Hinds Band live was an immersive, atmospheric experience. I was transported by the emotion of their musical storytelling. Transported to calmer, nostalgic times; to a younger, carefree version of me; a lighter, summery version of me; and back to present me with a calm reassurance that I’m exactly where I need to be. Wren’s voice in particular is out of this world.

Guitars were lifted, and I watched transfixed as Wren plucked intricate patterns on the guitar, which left the crowd awed. There was this EPIC moment where the drummer's solo grew and held the space. Jonno Sweetman went on, the drums going faster and faster, in what I can only describe as an almost trance-like solo. It reminded me of that scene in The Sinners where all the various eras of music are zipped through and time seems to stand still. 

“These times are really calling for grassroots festivals like this and artists like us – it’s a beautiful exchange. Let’s keep culture going.” – Wren (Lead guitarist and singer)

Wren Hinds Band is Wren Hinds himself as lead singer and guitarist, Dylan Fine on electric guitar, Jonno Sweetman on drums, and Maurice Paliaga on bass.

Their new album Don’t Die in The Bundu’s came out earlier this year – check it out on Bandcamp now:* 

* Fun fact – supporting musicians on Bandcamp is a great way to directly support musicians, as most of the proceeds from their music sales go directly to the artists and allows you to own the music directly.

Intermission

I caught up with Mary Corigill (HEAT Festival founder) briefly in the interval and was inspired by her passion and dedication to culture in the city. She described how art is the backbone of the festival and gave me an insight into using the Spier Gallery as a performance space. 

“To have music and art both interacting is so important.” – Mary Cowgill (HEAT Festival founder)

She makes a specific effort to try and attend every event. After over a week of events, excited people, and bustling activity, I was impressed by her commitment and unwavering conviction of the need for the arts.

A star performance from Francesca Biancoli

I noticed her sparkly pants before I noticed her. 
Silver sequins flashed in my periphery – and I knew it had to be her. I turned to get a proper look, and her signature bold silver eyeliner flashed in the darkened room. Francesca Biancoli, Italian singer and songwriter, was up next.

Francesca’s Italian charm is infectious and immediate. From the moment she took the stage, she was chatting to the crowd, warming us up, and making me feel like I was seated in her living room. 

“Drink wine; music feels better with wine.”– Francesca Biancoli, opening the stage

I loved her performance. Movement and music are symbiotic for her. She is daring, bold, gorgeous, and has this warmth about her and a way of connecting with the audience.

She was surrounded by a band that matched her energy to a tee. A bass guitarist with sunshine energy; a cheeky drummer's smile; the suave, fresh haircut of the electric guitarist; and the easy, calm energy of the keyboardist. 

It was her first performance back in Cape Town after some time away, and she played a blend of new and older songs. I was honoured to hear a first-time performance tribute to a lost friend “Fly Away”.

I also loved the storytelling of another new single, “Make it hard to love you”, a song about a wayward best friend that spoke of hurt, love, and course correction. 

She’s a truly generous performer and left with a closing call to support local artists and a reminder of the importance of spaces like this.

Francesca Biancoli post-performance. Photo: Vuyo Polsen/ VERVE.

Thanks to the Heat Festival!

“HEAT 2026’s theme foregrounds the tension between virtual and real spaces, asking how art and cultural expression might help us rethink, relearn, and ultimately rewire how we see, live, and act in the world.” – HEAT Festival 

The Heat Festival’s Ctrl + Z theme was a felt, poignant experience. It’s a reminder of the work that needs to be done in the city’s cultural scene, and a reaffirmation that a shared desire already exists for the arts. 

There’s a line from one of Wren Hinds’ songs that goes, "the ocean carries me home”. I floated home from the event wrapped in pride and love for this city and the musicians I’d seen, with a deep contentment that I call this place home.