Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, originated in France and has since become a global phenomenon. It is celebrated in over 700 cities worldwide in 120 countries for more than 40 years.
uKhoiKhoi will be performing at the 2023 Fête de la Musique. Picture: ukhoikhoi/Instagram.
JOHANNESBURG – Fête de la Musique has announced the line-up of artists who will perform, at Newtown Junction, Alliance Française and Victoria Yards.
Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, originated in France and has since become a global phenomenon.
It is celebrated in over 700 cities worldwide in 120 countries for more than 40 years.
Eyewitness News spoke to confirmed acts Charles Gene Suite, Zoe Molelekwa and uKhoiKhoi ahead of the Fête de la Musique on 24 June.
“We have spent a lot of time in France with acclaimed director Robyn Orlin and have even been at a Fête de la Musique experience in Toulouse – where we took the streets and performed with others. To have the opportunity to be a part of that in SA is something we look forward to as a celebration of music and culture and of arts in general, being an integral part of the economy,” said uKhoiKhoi.
uKhoiKhoi is a live looping, musical performance art showpiece, encompassing multilingual expressions through opera, indigenous chants and praise poetry, using a variety of traditional and contemporary instruments to create their unique afro-futuristic sound.
FILE: uKhoiKhoi will be performing at the 2023 Fête de la Musique. Picture: le5edi/Instagram.
Pianist and composer Molelekwa said this was an opportunity for young artists to get performance experience.
“Festivals like Fête de la Musique are important to artists because they can give one exposure, to a much wider audience than one might find in a club or intimate venue, as well as getting to understand what it takes to perform on festival stages to an audience of more than 300 people.”
Molelekwa is currently studying at the Manhattan School of Music, in New York, on a full scholarship as a Hugh Masekela Heritage Scholar under musical scholars including Buster Williams, Chris Rosenberg, Dayna Stephens, Jeremy Manasia and Miguel Zenon.
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FILE: Pianist and composer Zoe Molelekwa will be performing at the 2023 Fête de la Musique. Picture: zoemolelekwa/ Instagram.
“Part of our music is to share our life experiences with people in a way that becomes beautiful. If anyone who hears us is able to resonate with one of the phrases in our stories and connect with themselves, then that’s all we can really ask for. It’s about normal life experiences that we hope to make beautiful for anybody,” said Charles Gene Suite.
The festival’s vision is to highlight fresh talent, to be an incubator, and to create more opportunities for the new generation of performers through networking and knowledge-sharing. The winning applicants will be invited to attend a workshop – before the festival – facilitated by renowned industry players looking to strengthen the burgeoning musical talent in South Africa.
Anelisa from uKhoiKhoi noted a lack of funding and residencies to help musicians shape and sharpen their art.
“There is also a lack of support for upcoming artists’ music getting airplay, that would help them reach out to a broader audience locally and abroad,” she said.
In partnership 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. The festival will feature an eclectic mix of genres and styles, ensuring there is something for everyone.
The announcement of the line-up for the festival follows an open call that saw about 300 artists apply for a chance to perform at the 12th edition of the event.
The selected artists who will be performing across six stages at three different venues include: Kekelingo,uKhoiKhoi, Zoe Molelekwa, L8 Antique, The Charles Géne Suite, Angelyric, Asiomhle Zuri, The Cooligans, Kazi Ya Sanaa, LUUKHANYO, Madkind, MazwiDaDj, Nhlanhla Dube, Noba, Ntunja, PG_13, Sfiso Atomza, SHAKES, SweeterBrown, ThuliThulz.
FILE: Charles Gene Suite will be performing at the 2023 Fête de la Musique. Picture: iamdicksmithx/Instagram.
????Save the Date! Join us for an unforgettable musical feast at the Fête de la Musique JHB
????June 24: 11 – 6pm
✨3 Venues: #NewtownJunction, @OfficialYards & @AFJoburg !
????20 Musical Acts & 4 Smashing Headliners
Get ready for a vibrant day out!
W/ the support of @TotalEnergiesZA pic.twitter.com/ZvOtOfFJhN‘ Fête de la Musique (@JoburgFDLM) May 30, 2023
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