South African culture has never been content to stand still. It moves through music, finds expression in art and comes alive wherever people gather to celebrate.
Now, live entertainment promoter Anything Goes is capturing that energy in CULTURE IN MOTION, a striking new 90-second film celebrating the people and creative communities shaping the country’s nightlife.
Featuring acclaimed visual artist Yay Abe, with direction by Grant de Sousa and musical direction by Liquideep, the film brings painting, sound and movement together in a tribute to the cultural forces driving South Africa’s influence on the global music scene.
The release also sets the tone for what Anything Goes describes as its biggest summer yet, with a calendar featuring international and local music experiences, including Tyla, Fatboy Slim, Keinemusik, Ultra South Africa and Corona Sunsets.
At the heart of the project is a simple idea: creativity becomes visible through community. Every artist, DJ, dancer and fan contributes to the moments that give nightlife its identity and create memories that last long after the music stops.
Yay Abe Turns the Dance Floor Into Art
Leading the film’s visual storytelling is Cape Town-based artist and illustrator Russell Abrahams, widely known as Yay Abe.
His signature neo-African pop art draws inspiration from South Africa’s people, patterns and places. Through bold colours and distinctive imagery, he reimagines everyday experiences in ways that celebrate the country’s character and diversity.
For CULTURE IN MOTION, Yay Abe brings that artistic language into the world of nightlife. His original artwork celebrates the people behind the beat, translating the energy of South African dance floors into a visual expression of the culture they create together.
The result brings together two creative worlds: the visual language of contemporary African art and the movement, sound and shared experiences of nightlife.
It is a celebration of more than music alone. It recognises the communities that give the country’s cultural scene its energy and help carry its influence beyond its borders.
From House to Amapiano: South Africa’s Sound Keeps Moving
Music is central to the film’s story, reflecting the evolution of South African dance culture and its growing international reach.
From the legacy of South African house and Afro House to Gqom and Amapiano, local sounds continue to move audiences around the world.
By bringing music, painting and movement together, CULTURE IN MOTION explores the exchange between artists and audiences that makes nightlife a living cultural experience.
Liquideep’s musical direction helps shape that creative vision, while Grant de Sousa leads the film’s direction.
Together, the creative team presents a celebration of the sounds, people and artistic expression that continue to influence how South Africa experiences and shares its culture.
Two Decades of Bringing the World to South Africa
For Anything Goes, the film represents another milestone in a journey that began in 2003.
Over more than two decades, the live entertainment promoter has brought international acts to South Africa while championing local talent through festivals, tours and cultural campaigns.
Founder and CEO Shaun Duwe says the country’s cultural diversity remains a powerful source of creative momentum.
“Nothing in this industry stands still, and neither do we,” says Duwe.
He describes South Africa’s mix of cultures and sounds as a driving force behind what comes next, highlighting the contributions of artists, brands, venues, teams and fans to the wider entertainment landscape.
“CULTURE IN MOTION is about that collective energy,” he says.
“We’ve spent two decades bringing the world to South Africa. Now we’re taking South Africa to the world.”
That ambition connects the film’s creative message with Anything Goes’ broader work in live entertainment: celebrating international experiences while creating space for South African culture to reach wider audiences.
A Summer of Music, Movement and Shared Experiences
The launch of CULTURE IN MOTION arrives ahead of a summer programme that includes Tyla, Fatboy Slim, Keinemusik, Ultra South Africa and Corona Sunsets.
The announcement positions the film as an opening statement for the season, connecting the anticipation surrounding live events with the art, music and communities that make them meaningful.
For audiences, the experience of nightlife extends beyond the headline act. It is found in the sound that brings people together, the visual creativity surrounding an event and the shared moments that turn a night out into a lasting memory.
That collective spirit is the foundation of CULTURE IN MOTION.
South Africa’s cultural identity continues to evolve through the people who create, perform, collaborate and show up. With its new film, Anything Goes celebrates that movement while looking ahead to another summer of live entertainment.
Because culture does not stand still. It moves, evolves and lives through the people who create it.
Watch the film: CULTURE IN MOTION on YouTube
Explore upcoming events: Anything Goes – Upcoming Events
