Brenda Mtambo, Urban Village, BCUC and Azah to headline Fête de la Musique Joburg

As a part of the French Institute’s vision of empowering diverse musical talent, the headliners will be joined by the festival’s call for applications recipients, whose names will be announced soon. This, the organisers said, would allow a new generation of performers to share the spotlight during the festival and make live music accessible to all.

“Once again Fête de la Musique promises to be an event that brings the magic of France with authentic South African vibrancy,” France to South Africa ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier said.

“After two years of COVID-19, this will be a chance to be together, surrounded by amazing performances across unique venues to enjoy all that the Fête de la Musique is known for.”

The BCUC band will return to the FDLM stage before heading off to Paris to kick-off their European tour. The Soweto band and France have developed a strong connection over the years, with the band’s first performing at the 2015 FDLM in Johannesburg as an application entry winner and later performing at the Transmusicales Festival in Rennes, France in late 2016. BCUC has found its niche of dedicated listeners beyond South Africa's borders and is slowly winning the hearts of those who actually understand the subtleties of original music; people like the world-renowned radio DJ and label owner Gilles Peterson, who has been elucidating alternative music forms from around the world to English-speaking audiences for decades.

Afro-folk band Urban Village, which freshly returned from a tour of France and back for a third time, will entertain fans with a fusion of Zulu rock, Xhosa funk, mbaqanga and maskandi in their repertoire. The band has made big strides to illuminate the black experience through music. Armed with a sound that is both electric and acoustic, funky and traditional, the music outfit has cast a spell on those who are open-minded and given them a taste of organic art at work.

Mtambo, although new to the festival, is no stranger to the South African music scene with her magnetic Afro-soul oeuvre and heartfelt performances. She has done backing vocals for a host of South Africans including Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Lira, Thandiswa Mazwai and Jonas Gwangwa. She was an integral part of the hugely successful Joyous Celebration gospel ensemble and, as a travelling singer, she got to see large chunks of the world.

Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer Azah, will use his musical range and diversity as a tool to spread love and consciousness among his audiences. His debut album Batswadi involves musicians from across the continent and brings to the fore common histories, cultures, struggles and spiritual traditions.

The free-for-all festival this year partnered with Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, the Alliance Française and Native Rebels in Soweto, to increase the event’s accessibility with a wide range of locations to choose from. The partnership also aims to amplify the power of live music and take over the city with unique sounds and celebration.

Find out more about Fête de la Musique here.