Africa Rising Music Conference unveils 2024 programme

The performers are South African artists Ms Party, Marcus Harvey, S'BO Gyre and Namakau Star. They will be joined by Rita Kamale (UK/Morocco), Mace The Great (Wales) and Albi X (Germany). With a jam-packed programme that will be held at partner venues including Newtown Junction, the Market Theatre, AMPD Studios, City Lodge Hotels and Niki’s Jazz Club, the organisers have also announced Ballantine’s, AlphaTheta and Paradise Worldwide as this year’s sponsors.

“As we celebrate 30 years of democracy in South Africa and music through the fourth edition of the Africa Rising Music Conference, we are thrilled to have opened our doors to South African artists and industry executives by offering the first 400 tickets for free – a milestone quickly reached,” ARMC co-founder Sarah Jane Nicholson said. “With our full programme now live, featuring top-tier participants from around the globe, our mission continues to not only cultivate and expand the local music ecosystem but also to foster international collaborations.”

This year’s conference will also feature brands such as TikTok, Yamaha, Ableton and the Southern African Music Rights Organisation. To reaffirm its dedication to providing opportunities and support for female artists, producers and industry professionals, ARMC will collaborate with the Basadi In Music Awards for another year.

“At Ballantine’s we believe in the power of local music culture and strive to champion it through initiatives like True Music Fund,” Ballantine’s assistant brand manager Anna Filipiak said. “After our successful partnership with ARMC in 2023, we were excited to come on board for this iteration of the conference to support up-and-coming talent once again.”

The programme

Besides music performances, which will run under the ‘ARMC by Night’ banner, this year’s programme will feature workshops, panel discussions and keynote addresses. The conference will kick-off with an opening performance by ARMC co-founder Namakau Star at the Market Theatre on 27 May. It will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Namakau Star and Ms Party.

“This conference is a testament to Africa’s vibrant independence and its influential voice on the world stage,” Namakau Star said.

A workshop session will then be led by Emile Hoogenhout and will focus on music production in partnership with Ableton. Participants will learn more about Ableton Live 12 and performance skills with Ableton Push. The workshops will also feature deejaying skills from AlphaTheta for all levels.

This year’s panels will include a mix of local and international music talents, with a special focus on African hip hop. The panels will be moderated by local creatives Lolwetu Pakati, Lesiba Manga, Yalezo Njuguna, Lebogang Kgothadi and Spokenpriestess.

Headline speakers will include amapiano curator Phodii (SA), Ferocious Talent managing director Kwame Kwaten (UK), Jazz re:freshed co-founder Justin McKenzie (UK), A&R strategist and entertainer Geobek (SA), Ableton trainer Emile Hoogenhout (SA) and Trace Southern and Lusophone Africa managing director Valentine Gaudin-Muteba (France/SA).

There will also be keynote addresses by local creatives Maps Maponyane and Jasper Eales, who will engage in a virtual session led by YouTube’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Addy Awofisayo.

Participants can secure VIP tickets to gain exclusive access to the networking area, where they can connect one-on-one with top media, bookers, labels, and PR agents.

View the full programme here.

Phase two conference tickets are available here. All tickets gain access to the ARMC by Night programme.

Find more about ARMC on the official website.