Open call: Live Music Lab in SA

Live Music Lab is a flagship initiative courtesy of Bassline and IFAS celebrating a 25-year partnership with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Presented by Bassline and IFAS, Live Music Lab is a fresh and innovative career development programme designed to incubate 15 young people with event and live music theoretical and practical training and work experience at two acclaimed events in Johannesburg’s social calendar: Bassline Fest on 25 May and Fête de la Musique on 22 June.

The opportunity is open to proactive young people based in township communities and central Johannesburg (see the full list here) who are interested in gaining skills in event management, concert promotion, marketing within the music industry and technical production.

The opportunity is designed for individuals whose answers meet the below questions: 

• Are you an 18- to 25-year-old resident of Johannesburg and surroundings?
• Are you unemployed and in need of entry-level industry experience?
• Did you pass matric and have your certificate to show for it?
• Do you live in a township or central Johannesburg, within a 40-minute radius from Newtown, Johannesburg?
• Are you a solution-driven team player with creative industry interests?

What to expect

Learners will participate in sessions introducing them to the music business. This will broadly cover the history of South African music and an overview of the live music ecosystem, the different career opportunities in the sector and how to network efficiently with music industry professionals. These sessions will be followed by training in focused modules chosen based on the organic strengths and interests of the learner. Detailed in-depth knowledge of a specific aspect of the ecosystem will be gained from an experienced professional, paired with the chance of shadowing team members in their different functions on the day and in the build-up to the events.

How to apply

Interested applicants should apply here before 10 May. Applicants should also attach the requested supporting elements including a certified ID copy, certified matric certificate copy and a recorded video. The video must not be longer than two minutes (120 seconds).

Applicants should take a moment to think about which of these work streams they could thrive in and why:

• History of South African music
• Concert promotion
• Artist management
• Technical production
• Stage and backstage management
• Artist wellness

Applicants should organise their responses offline first, on paper and identify a specific function they would like to work in and the type of company they would like to work for. This will help applicants with the compilation of a 350-word motivation.

Selected programme participants will be notified on the 13 May 2024.

Email Ms Christine Msibi at missmsibi@ymail.com for more information about this call.

View the original call here.