Call for applications: Fête de la Musique 2023 in Johannesburg

Originally, the Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) is a popular and free music festival that happens annually in France on the day of the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Throughout the country and abroad, jazz, soul, funk, rock, electro, reggae, classical music and many other musical styles are enthusiastically celebrated.

Organised by IFAS and produced by Bassline over the last 12 years, with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction, the Fête de la Musique has been celebrated with a full day of free family-friendly concerts, which offer a great opportunity and platform for upcoming bands.

How to apply?

Interested artists should submit an application pack (biography, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos and press kit) and an application form (download here) via WeTransfer to [email protected] before 15 April.

Due to the high volume of applications, there is no audition, but there will be a jury of professionals who will listen to the tracks submitted and study the whole application carefully.

The jury members for the Fête de la Musique 2023 are:

• Violet Maila (Music In Africa)
• Mamthug (iQhawe)
• Sophie Boulé (French Institute of South Africa)
• Jérôme Galabert (Safiko Festival, Reunion Island)
• Dominique Soma (Weheartbeat)
• Brad Holmes (Bassline)
• Mustavah Terki (Canada)

In addition, the chosen artists will be invited to a workshop on 20 June where music industry professionals will host dedicated sessions according to the needs of the selected performers. The aim is to go beyond just providing a stage and ensure a sustainable and meaningful experience of knowledge-sharing and networking.

“Successful applicants are selected for the originality of their work as well as their musical and stage performance qualities,” IFAS said. “The aim of this call is for the public to discover new local talents and for the artists to have the opportunity to perform on stage. Therefore, the potential that the candidate holds in regard to stage performance is one of the most important criteria.”

View the original call here.