Once Upon A Time In Joburg 2026 : Fans Clash Over Smoking at SiR Concert – Should There Be Designated Spots?
Once Upon A Time In Joburg 2026: Fans Clash Over Smoking at SiR Concert – Should There Be Designated Spots?
At Saturday’s Once Upon A Time In Joburg concert at Rosefield Equestrian Club in Centurion, fans loved SiR‘s soulful TDE hits but clashed over smokers puffing weed, vapes, and cigarettes directly into crowds.
Non-smokers, including those with asthma or children, called for decency and designated smoking spots in the open-air venue, where personal cannabis use has been legal since 2018 but public behavior remains tricky.
SiR Delivers Soulful TDE Hits
The Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) artist, known for hits like “John Redcorn,” “Hair Down” (feat. Kendrick Lamar), and “The Recipe,” delivered a captivating performance that had fans singing along to every word. His soulful vocals and intimate stage presence made the evening memorable for R&B lovers.
However, the musical highlight was overshadowed for some attendees by the pervasive smell of cannabis smoke and clouds of vape drifting through the crowd.
The Smoking Clash: Two Sides
Non-Smokers: “Have Some Decency”
Non-smokers expressed frustration at having smoke blown directly into their faces, with some reporting asthma attacks and concerns for children present at the family-friendly daytime event.
“I love SiR and I understand the vibe, but blowing weed smoke into someone’s face who has asthma is not it. Have some decency and step aside.”
“There were kids nearby. It’s an open-air venue – just walk a few meters away. It’s not that hard.”
Defenders: “It’s a Concert – It Happens”
Others argued that smoking at concerts is inevitable, especially at R&B and hip-hop events where cannabis culture is intertwined with the music.
“It’s a concert, not a church. If you don’t like smoke, stand at the back.”
SiR literally has a track called ‘One Spliff a Day.’ What did you expect?”
The Legal Context: Cannabis in South Africa
Since the Constitutional Court ruling in 2018, private, personal cannabis use by adults has been legal in South Africa. However, public consumption remains a gray area – it is not explicitly legal, and enforcement varies by venue and local by-laws.
Many concert-goers mistakenly believe that legalization means they can smoke anywhere. In reality, designated smoking areas are still required by law in public spaces, and cannabis smoke falls under the same restrictions as tobacco in many venues.
Calls for Designated Smoking Spots
Following the clashes at Once Upon A Time In Joburg, many fans have called for event organizers to designate specific smoking areas at future concerts – allowing smokers to enjoy themselves while respecting non-smokers’ space.
“I don’t mind people smoking – just do it away from the crowd. Designated spots would solve everything.”
Broader Conversation: Concert Etiquette in 2026
The debate at Once Upon A Time In Joburg reflects a broader conversation about live event etiquette in 2026. With cannabis legal for personal use and vaping devices everywhere, concerts are becoming battlegrounds between smokers seeking freedom and non-smokers seeking clean air.
Some festivals and venues have already implemented smoke-free zones, designated smoking areas, or outright bans on indoor vaping and smoking. Others rely on common courtesy – which, as Saturday’s event showed, isn’t always common.
SiR’s ‘One Spliff a Day’ – Does It Matter?
Defenders of the smokers pointed to SiR’s track “One Spliff a Day” from his album Chasing Summer (2019), arguing that cannabis culture is part of the artist’s identity and fan experience.
“SiR literally sings about smoking. It’s part of the vibe. Don’t come to an R&B concert if you can’t handle it.”
However, others countered that enjoying an artist’s music doesn’t require forcing smoke on fellow fans.
Organizers’ Response
Event organizers at Once Upon A Time In Joburg have not yet issued an official statement regarding the smoking complaints. Moving forward, attendees hope for clearer policies and designated smoking areas at future editions.
What Do You Think?
Should concerts have designated smoking spots? Or is smoking simply part of the live music experience?
Once Upon A Time In Joburg concert at Rosefield Equestrian Club in Centurion: Fans loved SiR’s TDE hits but clashed over smoking etiquette. Non-smokers call for designated spots as the debate over concert smoking continues.
#OnceUponATimeInJoburg #SiR #ConcertSmoking #SmokingEtiquette #TDE #RosefieldEquestrianClub #OneSpliffADay #ConcertDebate
