Industry heavyweights ready for Breathe Sunshine conference

1 Sep 2015 - 16:40

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African artists and music industry players have come together in support of the Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference, which is building momentum as the date nears. The conference takes place on Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice in Cape Town.

Ready D. Photo: dontparty.co.za
A Breathe Sunshine workshop. Photo: ctvibes.wordpress.com
The audience at last year's Breathe Sunshine conferece. Photo: immf.com

The latest participants to put their weight behind the event include AKA, who will be interviewed side-by-side with Jack Parow, Jeremy Loops, Felix Laband, Ready D, Shane Cooper (Card On Spokes), Sibot, Mike from P.H.fat, Charles Webster, Ben Peters (GoodLuck), Mr Sakitumi, Youngsta, Dean Fuel, Mr Sakitumi, Craig de Sousa, Erefaan Pierce, DJ Mizz and Dilo Xclusive, among others.

The strong artist contingent will also be supported by an impressive industry line-up. International speakers Leigh Morgan (Believe Digital, France/UK) and Kazim Rashid (Warp Records, UK) will join local heavyweights Raphael Benza (AKA and Zonke's manager), Sipho Sithole (Native Rhythms/Moshito), Phat Joe (Metro FM), Shaun Duvet (Ultra/Anything Goes), Damon Forbes (Breakout Agency) and Nomndeni Mdakhi (Edits Communication/Kalawa Jazmee) and many more.

This year the conference will see over 60 participants from across the country and Africa at large, and is set to big the biggest event yet. Apart from knowledge and insight, the conference aims to ensure its participants have as much fun as possible, with poolside lunchtime showcases and evening networking party sessions. Being part of Cape Town Music Week and taking place two days before the 10th annual Rocking the Daisies festival, it looks set to be the perfect backdrop for an inspiring week.

“We have worked hard this year to make the conference as fun and engaging as possible,” says conference co-director Trenton Birch. “We want people to share knowledge and network as much as possible and get the business side locked, but our industry is also very much about networking and a lot of relationships are often cemented in a social setting.”

Topics that will be covered throughout the conference include: the art of business and music partnerships (presented by BASA); brand strategy; new revenue models for the digital music industry; the state of the Cape Town music industry; digital distribution; emerging promoters and artists; refining and developing your artist brand and image; and creative strategies for electronic music producers. There will also be useful workshops for DJs and producers.

Tickets are on sale for R80 (for one day) or R150 (for both days). Also available is a combo ticket for Breathe Sunshine and Rocking the Daisies (from 1 to 4 October) for R400. For more information, visit the Breathe Sunshine website or watch the video below.