The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa, is thrilled to announce the return of the Fête de la Musique (FDLM) for its 13th edition, promising an electrifying array of talent spanning established icons and emerging artists. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Johannesburg’s Victoria Yards, voted the 7th best market in the world, this year’s festival on June 22nd is poised to deliver an unforgettable day of free music for all.

FDLM Johannesburg, coproduced with Bassline, proudly reveals the 12 supporting acts selected from a pool of exceptional talents through our Open Call for Musicians. These dynamic performers will grace 3 stages at Victoria Yards this winter, captivating audiences with their unique and vibrant performances.

The supporting acts selected are:

Androgenius, Dj Napi Tapi, Flex of He & I, GHXST Bunny, i-SO, Jae Nuune, Just 6, Lady Choc, Laliboi, Rorisang Sechele, Sun Xa Experiment, Xhanti Nokwali

Since its inception in 2010, this beloved and free music festival has provided a vital platform for emerging talents to shine on the South African stage. It has become a cornerstone event for Joburgers of all ages, fostering connections with the city’s ever-evolving music scene.

This year, from a pool of 300 applications, 12 exceptional acts have earned their place on the FDLM stage following a rigorous selection process overseen by a panel of esteemed judges from the South African music industry.

Sophie Boulé, Culture Attaché and Deputy Director of the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), remarks,

“Year after year, we are impressed by the breadth of talent showcased in the applications. Our lineup reflects the vibrancy and diversity of South Africa’s musical landscape, promising an unforgettable celebration of local talent.”

Embracing its role as a catalyst for emerging talent, the festival will once again offer winning applicants the opportunity to participate in pre-festival workshops and masterclasses facilitated by industry experts. These sessions aim to nurture and empower the next generation of South African musicians, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the industry.

Originating in France, Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, has evolved into a global phenomenon celebrated across 700 cities in 120 countries for over four decades. Johannesburg’s rich music scene makes it the perfect host city, welcoming all types of music enthusiasts to enjoy the universal language of music.

With its eclectic lineup spanning diverse genres and styles, Fête de la Musique promises an immersive musical experience that resonates with audiences of all tastes and backgrounds. The headlining acts for this year’s 14^th edition will be announced soon.

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) is excited to announce the launch of the application process for the highly anticipated 2024 edition of Fête de la Musique. Musicians, bands, singers, poets and DJs of all genres are invited to seize the opportunity to be part of this renowned festival.

Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, has captivated audiences with its diverse musical offerings, encompassing jazz, soul, funk, rock, electro, reggae, classical, and more. Organized by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and coproduced by Bassline, this festival has graced Johannesburg for the past 13 years with the invaluable support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa.

Scheduled for the 22nd of June 2024 in Johannesburg at Victoria Yards, this year’s Fête de la Musique promises a full day of free, family-friendly concerts, creating a vibrant platform for emerging artists. The event embraces an array of musical genres, from traditional tunes to rap, hip-hop, techno, jazz, and beyond. Renowned artists such as Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Vaudou Game, Nakhane, and many others have contributed to the festival’s success over the years.

“We are particularly excited to widen the categories to include Slam Poetry this year. This will not only enrich our diverse lineup but also highlight the remarkable growth of the slam poetry scene in South Africa. This powerful form of self-expression has become a dynamic force, captivating audiences with its unique blend of spoken word, emotion, and social commentary” says Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attaché and Deputy Director of IFAS.

Given the high volume of applications, there will be no audition. Instead, a panel of professionals, including Mamthug (BeatsByHer, South Africa), Sonya Mazumdar (EarthSync, India), Violet Maila (Music in Africa Foundation), Sakifo Talents (Reunion Island) and Mustapha Terki (Canada) will carefully review the tracks and applications.

Selected artists will have the unique opportunity to participate in workshops around the festival date, led by industry professionals who will tailor sessions to meet the specific needs of the performers. Beyond offering a stage, the workshop aims to foster a sustainable and meaningful experience of knowledge-sharing and networking.

To be part of this musical celebration, interested musicians are invited to submit their applications by April 15th, 2024 or until we have received 300 entries. The application process involves sending a comprehensive pack including a bio, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos, and press kit, along with the completed application form, which can be found at: www.linktr.ee/fete.de.la.musique.jhb

Submissions should be sent via WeTransfer to fetedelamusiquejoburg@gmail.com.

Successful applicants will be chosen based on the originality of their work, as well as their musical and stage performance qualities. Fête de la Musique 2024 is not only an opportunity for the public to discover new local talents but also a platform for artists to showcase their potential on stage.

Best of luck to all applicants as they embark on this exciting musical journey!

__ENDS__

For media enquiries, please contact:

Maria Mccloy: mccloypr@gmail.com

Sarah Jenkins: sarah.jenkins@frenchinstitute.org.za

Zaza Hlalethwa: zaza.hlalethwa@frenchinstitute.org.za

Download Press Pack HERE

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ABOUT Jury Members

Mustapha Terki is an International Events and Festivals Creator, Co-founded the Meg Montreal Festival in Canada. He is also the creator of the Transatlantic Festival in Saintes, France (2022), Co-Founder of the Franco-Québécois Festival, and General Director of the Printemps de Bourges Network (1989-2000). He has also been involved in organizing the Electronik Groove Meeting in Saint Gilles (2000, 2014, 2015), and artistic direction and tour organization for artists in Seoul, Tokyo, Lisbon, Florence, and many other cities.

Gogo Liziwe Kwanini (Pronouns: She. Thug.), creatively known as “Mamthug” is your favourite DJ’s favourite DJ. The JHB-based sonic curator, production princess and all round cutie explores the African alternative music scene’s various themes and ideologies through the use of sonic and culture-connecting experiences. Mamthug is Curator of BeatsByHer, a femme-led sonic experience established by Untitled Basement, and Host of Thugsgiving on Oroko Radio, Ghana. Both platforms celebrate the sonic sisterhood of the alternative music ecosystem based on inclusion, skills transfer, and development. When she is not gracing the stages of Bushfire, Rocking the Daisies, Basha Uhuru just to name a few, Mamthug returns to being a city mythical creature whose life’s pursuit is simple yet evocative telling.

Press Pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TgWtPGvNkqxGDb2tZBm-Bwwvre4hBUpJ?usp=drive_link

Sonya Mazumdar is the Founder/Director of EarthSync, a music production house, award-winning documentary film producer, and a global, cross-cultural artistic collaborator. EarthSync’s initiative IndiEarth XChange (2012), a trade event with music and film festivals, conferences and masterclasses was created to build a multi-country collective of professional, cultural, educational and economic collaborations for the independent music, film and media industries in India and the Indian Ocean Region, and facilitates cross-border artistic collaborations. Sonya co-founded Culturas360 (2021), a unique global collective of 14 international music festivals in the South & North Americas, Europe, India, and Asia. 

Sakifo Talents, based in Reunion Island, is a publisher and producer of live music. We offer comprehensive, long-term support to artists by leveraging the production capabilities of Intaka Production. Intaka Production is renowned for organizing major events such as the Sakifo Musik Festival and Francofolies de La Réunion. Our mission is to foster talent and elevate their careers through expert guidance and access to significant musical platforms.

Violet Maila is a music professional and art activist from South Africa. She is currently the project manager for the Music in Africa Foundation in Johannesburg. Her previous work experience includes a number of roles at music productions in Malawi and Angola, as well as popular East African music festival Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, where she lived for some time.

Maila is also qualified in visual communications, and boasts more than 10 years work experience in design, above-the-line and below-the-line brand campaigns for marketing companies across the retail, financial, Information Technology and transport sectors, among others.

About IFAS

Since its creation in 1995, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has been working on a strong policy of cooperation between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. The cultural arm of the Embassy of France to South Africa, IFAS works in all fields of artistic creation, with priority given to the cultural and creative industries. Through actions based on co-creation, IFAS encourages and promotes collaboration with key players in the French cultural sector. IFAS actively promotes young talent and training and participates in the reflection on public policies by constantly pursuing the idea that arts and culture are powerful factors for inclusion and social cohesion. Each year IFAS organises or supports more than 100 projects, which are carried out with partners located in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi but also on the whole African continent, in France and in Europe.

🎹 🎼 🎤 🎸 📻 🎧 🎷

Applications for Fête de la Musique 2024 are now open! The French Institute of South Africa is excited to invite musicians, bands, singers, poets and DJs of all genres to seize the opportunity to be part of this renowned festival.

The first 300 applicants will be considered.

🎵 Find the application form here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Morena Leraba, Simmy, Tshepang Ramoba, Nomfusi and Musa Mashiane to Headline Fête de la Musique 2023 across 3 venues in Johannesburg.

Fête de la Musique, one of Johannesburg’s most anticipated music festivals, announces its exciting lineup of headlining acts for the 2023 edition. Taking place on the 24th of June at Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable celebration of local music and culture for everyone. The French Institute of South Africa is excited to bring this event back for its 12^th year with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa, Newtown Junction and SAMRO.

Following the announcement of the 20 supporting performers, the 2023 headlining acts for Fête de la Musique Johannesburg are sure to dazzle:

Playing at Newtown Junction, Simmy is an exciting addition to the lineup. Her music blends elements of electronic dance music, neo-soul, and experimental pop. Simmy’s heartfelt lyrics and smooth melodies have earned her widespread acclaim, describing her music as “nostalgic in a sense that is relevant, energizing with societal undertones “

Also performing at Newtown Junction, Musa Mashiane will bring a unique sound experience of Afro-soul, traditional African, soulful R&B, jazz, blues and a strong texture of Afro-melodies. He pulls his inspiration from international singers like Victor Ntoni, Oumou Sangare, Stevie Wonder and Bobby McFerrin, but delivers it with a truly original African signature.

Victoria Yards will be led by Morena Leraba. This Lesotho-born singer and rapper brings a refreshing blend of genres to the Fête de la Musique stage.  He fuses traditional Sesotho lyrics with Electro, Afro-house and Hip-hop. His lyrics are rooted in the genre, Famo: a sub-genre of Sesotho traditional music or poetry.

The second headliner at Vic Yards is Tshepang Ramoba. Known as the versatile drummer of the legendary South African band, BLK JKS, Tshepang Ramoba brings his innovative musical talents to the FDLM stage. Blending elements of Hip-hop, R&B jazz, and other novel sounds, Tshepang’s music transcends boundaries with its infectious rhythm.

Finally, lighting up the Alliance Francaise JHB stage is Nomfusi. This self-taught singer and songwriter has become well-known for her untamed stage performances all over the world. Nomfusi’s music is a beautiful mix of genres from joyful Township sounds with Maskandi guitars to Afro Pop, Afro Soul and beautiful soulful Ballads with a hint of Gospel.

The whole line-up is:

Victoria Yards Stage A:

Morena Leraba – 18h00

L8 Antique – 16h00

Angelyric – 14h00

Madkind – 12h00

Victoria Yards – Stage B

Tshepang Ramoba – 17h00

Kekelingo – 15h00

Kazi Ya Sanaa – 13h00

PG_13 – 11h00

Newtown Junction – Piazza

Simmy – 17h00

LUUKHANYO – 15h00

The Charles Géne Suite – 13h00

Sfiso Atomza – 11h00

Newtown Junction – Ampd Studio Stage

Musa Mashiane – 16h00

uKhoiKhoi – 14h00

The Cooligans – 12h00

Newtown Junction – Railway Line Stage

ThuliThulz – 16h00

SHAKES – 14h00

MazwiDaDj – 12h00

SweeterBrown – 11h00

Alliance Française of Johannesburg

Nomfusi – 17h00

Ntunja – 15h40

Zoe Molelekwa – 14h30

Nonhlanhla Dube – 13h15

Noba – 12h20

Asiomhle Zuri – 11h30

By partnering with Bassline Live, Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, the festival hopes to increase accessibility with a wide range of locations and musical acts to choose from.

Fête de la Musique is free to all! Join us on June 24th, 2023 for a musical feast for everyone.

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has once again partnered with TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction to bring the Fête de la Musique (FDLM) back for its 12th year with a carefully curated lineup with both established stars and exciting up-and-coming artists, guaranteeing an immersive musical experience that transcends boundaries.

Fête de la Musique Johannesburg, the highly anticipated annual music festival, is delighted to announce the first wave of its lineup:  20 winning acts are set to captivate audiences across 6 stages at 3 different venues on June 24th, 2023. The 4 headliners at this musical feast for all will soon be announced. 

The winning acts who will perform at Newtown Junction, Alliance Française and Victoria Yards are:

Zoe Molelekwa, Kekelingo, uKhoiKhoi, Nhlanhla Dube, SHAKES, The Charles Géne Suite, Angelyric, Asiomhle Zuri, L8 Antique, Noba, SweeterBrown, LUUKHANYO, Ntunja, ThuliThulz , The Cooligans, Madkind, PG_13,  Kazi Ya Sanaa, MazwiDaDj , Sfiso Atomza.

The popular and free music festival, established in 2010, has become a great platform for a diverse range of upcoming talents to make themselves heard in South Africa. And for Joburgers of all ages to come and connect with new music in their city.  

This year, 20 acts have been selected out of 300 applications for a spot on the FDLM stage. The results follow a rigorous selection process involving an expert jury from the South African music world. 

“Every year, we receive a wide range of applications, and each year, the selection process is both exciting and tough. South Africa’s musical talent is rich and diverse, which is mirrored in the applications. We believe we have chosen a lineup that reflects the future of South Africa’s dynamic music scene” says Sophie Boulé, Culture attaché and Deputy Director of The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).

The festival’s vision is not only to highlight fresh talent but also to be an incubator and create more opportunities for the new generation of performers through networking and knowledge-sharing. Like last year, winning applicants will be invited to attend a workshop before the festival. It will be facilitated by renowned industry players looking to strengthen the burgeoning musical talent in South Africa.

Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, originated in France and has since become a global phenomenon, celebrated in over 700 cities worldwide in 120 countries for more than 40 years. Johannesburg is a perfect city to host this event that brings together music enthusiasts from all walks of life.

By partnering with Bassline Live, Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, the festival hopes to increase accessibility with a wide range of locations to choose from. The festival will feature an eclectic mix of genres and styles, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s festival will be held at not one, not two, but three amazing venues: Newtown Junction , Victoria Yards and Alliance Française of Johannesburg!

 Immerse yourself in the vibrant tunes and diverse sounds of 24 musical talents from various genres. From soul-stirring melodies to electrifying beats, there’s something for everyone at the Fête de la Musique!

 Bring your friends, family, and fellow music enthusiasts for a day of live performances and incredible food from local vendors.

 Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of artistic expression! Mark your calendars and spread the word.

 Date: June 24th: 11am – 6pm
 Venues: Alliance Française JHB, Newtown Junction, and Victoria Yards

With the support of TotalEnergies and Newtown Junction, and produced by Bassline “In Music We Trust”

The French Institute of South Africa has officially opened the call for applications for the 2023 Fête de la Musique in Johannesburg until April 15^th

Originally, the Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) is a popular and free music festival taking place each year in France on the day of the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Throughout the country and abroad, jazz, soul, funk, rock, electro, reggae, classical music and many other musical styles are enthusiastically celebrated.

Organised by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and produced by Bassline over the last 12 years with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction, the Fête de la Musique has been celebrated with a full day of free family-friendly concerts, which offers a great opportunity and platform for upcoming bands. The Fête de la Musique allows everyone to discover new musical trends from traditional music to rap, hip-hop, techno, jazz and so much more. Many local and international artists have taken part in the event throughout the years and contributed to its success and theyincluding Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Vaudou Game, Nakhane, Blk Jks, Urban Village, BCUC, Ms Party, The Brother Moves On, Zoë Modiga and Brenda Mtambo and many more.

Get a taste of the atmosphere last year, here.

The French Institute of South Africa is calling for musicians, bands, singers and DJs from all music genres to apply to perform in this year’s festival and join in the spirit of the Fête de la Musique which is scheduled for the 24^th of June 2023 in Johannesburg.

Due to the high volume of applications, there is no audition, but there will be a jury of professionals who will listen to the tracks submitted and study the whole application carefully. The jury members for the Fête de la Musique 2023 are: Mamthug (iQawe), Sophie Boulé (French Institute of South Africa), Jérôme Galabert (Safiko Festival, Reunion Island), Violet Maile (Music in Africa), Dominique Soma (Weheartbeat), Brad Holmes (Bassline) and Mustavah Terki (Canada)

In addition, the chosen artists will be invited to a workshop on the 20^th of June where music industry professionals will host dedicated sessions according to the needs of the selected performers. The aim to go beyond just providing a stage, and ensure a sustainable and meaningful experience of knowledge-sharing and networking.  

How to apply?

Send your application pack (bio, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos and press kit), including your application form (download here) via WeTransfer to:
fetedelamusiquejoburg@gmail.com.

Please also include what you would like to learn in the workshop if selected.

Deadline: The first 300 applications sent before the 15th of April 2023 will be considered. 

Successful applicants are selected for the originality of their work as well as their musical and stage performance qualities. The aim of this call is for the public to discover new local talents and for the artists to have the opportunity to perform on stage. Therefore, the potential that the candidate holds in regard to stage performance is one of the most important criteria.

Good luck!

Thank you to each and every artist that applied for this year’s Fête de la Musique round. We are excited to announce the selection of 22 musical acts to perform on the 18^th of June at our biggest event yet.

“We are excited to have picked our largest group yet this year. The process was tough because there was such a diverse range of applications to choose from; some daring, some emotional, some loud, some soulful, but all extremely passionate. We were blown away by the dynamic and surprising entries that really pushed the envelope. Every year, the jury tries to select broadly across genres to create a melting pot of musical sounds. Luckily this year we were able to choose more acts, grow the festival and give more artists the opportunity to shine. It has been 40 years since the festival began in France, so it is a great occasion for a bigger celebration” says Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attaché and Deputy Director of IFAS.

Here is the list of successful applicants:

3heads
Adrian Kapiten
Androgenius
Black Heidi
Bonga Kwana
Bongani Givethanks
BONJ
Clement Measuretutti
DJ Teedo Love
Farai Matake
Future Radio
iPhupho L’Ka Biko
Jst Sako
Kazi Ya Sayaa
Kommanda Obbs
Kings Of Bantu Hymns
Letoya Makhene
LNTSound
Nadia Pryimak
Nomisupersta
NOTBENJAMIN
Vinnie Mak
Ziza Muftic

COME ONE, COME ALL, TO THE MUSICAL “STREET” BASH OF THE YEAR!

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) have once again partnered with TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction to bring the Fête de la Musique (FDLM) back for its 11th year with a line-up gearing to raise some heat this winter.

Taking place across 4 different venues simultaneously around Johannesburg and Soweto on the 18^th of June, this free-for-all music festival is back in full swing after two years of Covid-related disruption – aiming to amplify the power of live music and take over the city with unique sounds and celebration.

One of the headlining acts this year is BCUC. The explosive Afro-Psychedelic band will return to the FDLM stage before heading off to Paris to kick off their European tour. BCUC and France have developed a strong connection over the years with BCUC first performing at Fête de la Musique in 2015 in Johannesburg as an application entry winner and later performing at the Transmusicales Festival in Rennes, France in late 2016.

Other familiar faces on the FDLM stage are Urban Village. Freshly returned from a tour of France and back for a third time, this Afro-Folk act will also be headlining the festival with an exciting infusion of Zulu rock, Xhosa funk, mbaqanga and maskandi in their repertoire.

Brenda Mtambo is another headliner act that, although new to Fête de la Musique, is no stranger to the South African music scene with her magnetic Afro-Soul oeuvre and heartfelt performances. 

And finally, festival-goers will enjoy the sounds of Azah, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer whose musical range and diversity promises a tonic for the soul. Steeped in the malambo lineage, he uses music as a tool to spread love and consciousness among his audiences.

As a part of the French Institute’s vision of empowering diverse musical talent, these 4 headliners will be joined by the soon-to-be- announced winners of the Call For Applications. This will allow a new generation of performers to share the spotlight during the festival and make live music accessible to all. By partnering with Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, the Alliance Française and Native Rebels in Soweto, the festival hopes to increase this accessibility with a wide range of locations to choose from.

“Once again Fête de la Musique promises to be an event that brings the magic of France with authentic South African vibrancy. After two years of Covid 19, this will be a chance to be together, surrounded by amazing performances across unique venues to enjoy all that the Fête de la Musique is known for” says Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa.

The official Fête de la Musique visual was created by acclaimed Zimbabwean illustrator Sindiso Nyoni to reflect the essence of the festival – to inspire and share creativity and celebrate the South African “je ne sais quoi”.

The Fête de la Musique Joburg is brought to you by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in partnership with TotalEnergies South Africa and Newtown Junction. It is made possible by the support of venue partners Alliance Française JHB, Victoria Yards and Native Rebels and media partner France 24.