Fête de la Musique to show new talent

AFTER receiving the highest number of entries in the history of the Fête de la Musique in South Africa, organisers announced the live bands and DJs who will perform at the event.

In May, the popular music festival put out a call for musicians and DJs to apply to perform at the annual event, which was due to take place this month. Due to the Covid-19 third wave, the event had to be postponed to September.

Selen Daver, the cultural attaché at the French embassy in South Africa, said: “After the postponement of last year’s event, we are happy to be back again, this time in four different locations, with limited capacity to ensure everyone’s safety. Our goal is to make live music accessible for all while giving young musicians a space to reach a broad audience.”

These are the nominated musicians who will take to the stage at four Johannesburg venues later this year: Basadi ba Mintsu, Bobo Jay Nzima, Andee, DJ Binz, Ikati Esengxoweni, LaliBoi, Manu Grace, Melo B Jones, Ms Party, Mx Blouse, Shotgun Tori and the Hound, Sibusiso Mashiloane, Simba Ci, Spokenpriestess, Sun Xa Experiment and Tshepang Ramoba.

Sun Xa Experiment is an ancestral, spiritual, avant-garde, out-the-box group hailing from Gauteng and Durban. Launched in 2014, the six-piece live music band delivers a spiritual sound, telling stories of who people are as the global community, without race, colour or nation.

Simba CI is a versatile musician who is a singer-songwriter and plays a variety of instruments including the guitar, a bit of keys, the marimba and

djembe drum, which results in an African-influenced soul blend of music.

Simba CI strives to change the face of African music by taking audiences on a journey to a music era of soul, art, live instruments, and passion and love.

“I aim to capture the hearts of audiences and the music industry with a soul blend of live contemporary and indigenous African instruments, which I have dubbed African Street-Motown.”

Headline acts for the Fête de la Musique and venues will be announced closer to September.

The Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) is a popular and free music festival that has been taking place each year in France and internationally, and was established in South Africa in 2010. In Johannesburg, it has become a great platform for both renowned and upcoming talent, where upcoming talent can make themselves known.

Many local and international artists have taken part in the event throughout the years and contributed to its success, including Samthing Soweto, Msaki, Nakhane, Zoe Modiga, Blk Jks, Urban Village, BCUC, Berita, Baenz Oester and the Rainmakers and Bombshelter

Beast.

The Fête de la Musique Joburg is held in association with the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, in partnership with Bassline Live and Newtown Junction.