SA: Music Imbizo readies for big 2019 conference

7 Aug 2019 - 12:36

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The Music Imbizo international business conference and exhibition turns 10 this year as it returns to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, from 28 to 31 August.

Zimbabwean singer Berita showcased at The Music Imbizo in 2018.

The event provides attendees – including artists, booking agents, promoters, event organisers, cultural operators and other professionals related to the music sector – the opportunity to network and collaborate.

The organisers say the event is designed to “contribute to the creation of a highly organised, sustainable and successful music industry within the continent, where practitioners are knowledgeable with a world view of the ins and outs of the music business."

The four-day conference will include showcases, workshops, one-on-one sessions and exhibitions.

It will feature 120 speakers from over 30 countries. Previous editions have hosted big industry names such as former Warner Bros vice-president Seymour Stein (US), Chocolate City general manager Aibee Abidoye (Nigeria) and Native Rhythms co-founder Sipho Sithole.

The Music Imbizo's workshops will be conducted by collective management organisations, including the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the Independent Music Performers Rights Association (IMPRA) and the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO).

Meanwhile, the exhibition and trade area will host various exhibitors including music equipent distributors like Musician's Gear Zone, Glenwood Village Music, Marshall Music and TOMS.

Also on the programme is the Music Producer Forum, a platform where producers can learn from each other while they are introduced to the latest production software

Apart from the showcases, the festival features other intersting music events, including the hip hop and gqom beat battles where artists will compete for a number of prizes.

The Music Imbizo is organised in collaboration with Sheer Publishing, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Boston Media House, Onomo Hotel, Content Connect Africa, Durban Global Shapers, the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Botswana International Music Conference and Moshito, among others.

This year’s media partners are BET, MTV Base, Gagasi FM, Slikour On Life, Isolezwe, The Mercury, Move Hiphop and Music In Africa.

Tickets to The Music Imbizo 2019 are available here.