Nalikhaya Mbana
For most 30-somethings, Friday night is what Saturday morning is to an 8-year-old with no school to attend – pure anticipation. Some use it to unwind, others to relive a bit of joy. But for those who gathered at The Hidden Space on 24 May,
in Johannesburg, MODIKA turned that anticipation into something sacred.
This heartfelt set turned Hidden Spaces into sacred ground
A multi-instrumentalist known for his humility and range, MODIKA didn’t simply take the stage, he brought a sense of calm and intention with him. Before a single note played, he paid tribute to a commanding figure seated quietly in the crowd: his father.
MODIKA revealed that he had long dreamed of writing a song for him but hadn’t imagined that his father would respond by blessing the moment with a praise poem in true African tradition. As the words echoed through the venue, a hush fell over the room. It was ancestral.
With hearts opened, MODIKA stepped into his performance accompanied by an amazing band. It was split into two clear zones, melody up front and rhythm holding it down at the back. Up front, a trumpeter and two sax players wove their lines through the room effortlessly. Meanwhile, the rhythm section kept things grounded with a bassist laying down a steady groove, a drummer who played with real finesse, and a keyboardist who tied it all together with serious skill. It wasn’t just music, they took us somewhere else entirely.
Like a conversation, something spiritual
With every break, unexpected tempo shift, or sudden pause, the set became something one feels through one’s whole body. The crowd wasn’t just hearing the music, they were in it. A quick smile from MODIKA, a knowing glance between bandmates, it all landed. It didn’t feel like a performance; it felt like a conversation.
“It felt like church,” said the venue’s caretaker.
As the show reached its final stretch, the mood shifted into something spiritual. The keyboardist started weaving in gentle gospel touches, just a few chords here and there that felt like the hum of a Sunday church organ. You could see it hit people instantly, especially those who grew up keeping the Sabbath, and even those who hadn’t stepped into a church in years.
A full-on praise break
Then, it happened: a full-on praise break. The crowd exploded. Feet stomped, voices lifted, strangers hugged. For a few minutes, The Hidden Space wasn’t just a venue, it was a place of joy and release.
“When MODIKA’s father began his praise, you could feel the love in real time,” shared one attendee. By the time the final note faded, MODIKA had become more than an artist, he was a channel.
For memory, movement, and meaning. And for those lucky enough to be there, Live in Spirit was more than a show. It was a close encounter of the best kind.
Check out the next Hidden Spaces gig with Phila Dlozi on 6 July at The Fort in Illovo.
In a nutshell
Hidden Spaces MODIKA review
At The Fort, 28 Fort Street, Birnam, Johannesburg
Instagram: hiddenspaces_za