SA: Soweto Theatre to host South African Music Week conference

The music conference seeks to connect South Africa’s extraordinary music talent with local and international markets, as well as provide an opportunity for cross-border networking, panel discussions and performances.

The event is set to acknowledge and honour some of the country’s music greats including Black Coffee, Trompies, Master KG, Makhadzi, Jonathan Butler, Jimmy Dludlu, Zola 7, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Lorraine Klaasen, among others. It will also feature live performances and surprise acts by international artists.

“Our partnership with the Canadian Music Week places SAMW in a strategic position as a channel through which Southern African music can further and collectively penetrate global music markets,” SAMW CEO Michael Moeti said. “Moreover, SAMW is growing into one of the largest tech-savvy music and media conferences in Southern Africa, with career-advancing opportunities, including bursaries, internships, and mentorship. This empowering annual music economy trade expo is also a B2B platform for industry professionals, trendsetters, influencers, businesses and musicians.”

With the spotlight on 16 SADC countries, the event will run under the theme Tune In and Be In Tune, which serves as an invitation to Africans to tune in to the global creative digital world that has taken off over the past couple of years of lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Soweto Theatre general manager Vincent Motau said: “It is with a sense of pride that Soweto Theatre looks forward to hosting the South African Music Week as it explores ways to merge music technology and business. We are continuously looking for ways to support, contribute to the arts and grow the music economy. Such a partnership that gives an authentic platform to local and international artists allows us to do just that.”

One of the webinars not to be missed at the SAMW is the Business of Music, an informative session about how to become an international act. This seminar will highlight the talent of emerging eclectic multi-talented artist Automatic, who draws inspiration from TKZee and American rock bands.

Motau added: “Our primary objective is to help recognise and celebrate music icons and those in the making when the call has arisen. It is also to demonstrate the theatre’s capabilities to host an internationally acclaimed event in our world-class facilities. SAMW has become a highly globally anticipated event and we are honoured that this edition comes in light of our 10th year anniversary.”

Interested participants can register here for free.