JOHANNESBURG – The French Institute of South Africa is calling on musicians, bands, singers, and DJs from all music genres to apply to perform in this year’s festival and join in the spirit of the Fête de la Musique. This year’s festival is scheduled for 24 June in Johannesburg.
“We want to make music accessible to all. We want to spread and share music and hear new and upcoming voices. The real story of the Fete de la Musique when it began in France 40 years ago, is about expressing yourself and sharing through music. This power should not only be reserved for professionals. It is a free and public event, organised from the ground up, and we wanted to keep this spirit as best we could in South Africa,” said the Cultural Attaché French Institute of South Africa, Sophie Boule.
Originally, the Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) is a popular and free music festival taking place each year 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.
🎤🎶The #CallforApplications for the 2023 edition of the Fête De La Musique Joburg is now open✨
We are looking for musicians, DJs and bands from all musical genres – amateur and professional – to perform during the Fête de la Musique in Johannesburg this June!
Details👇[1/2] pic.twitter.com/mW2zopfecC
' Fête de la Musique (@JoburgFDLM) March 15, 2023
“There are a lot less opportunities at this level for upcoming musicians in South Africa, and not a lot of places for the public to discover new music either. This type of call for participation with this target did not exist in South Africa, so we saw a gap that needed to be filled. This is why we have created this day of discovery, and promoting and nurturing new local talent," said Boule.
The institute said only the first 300 applications sent before the deadline, which is 15 April, would be considered.
Applicants will be selected based on the originality of their work as well as the quality of their performance on stage.
If you’re a musician, DJ or band who knows how to electrify a crowd & bring the🔥then apply for the 2023 Fête de la Musique.
Applications close on 15 April & they’re flooding in!
Only 300 entries will be considered, so grab your chance now!
More info: https://t.co/f2mbtgy4Wx pic.twitter.com/bLSKZXL16A
' Fête de la Musique (@JoburgFDLM) March 30, 2023
“This process allows for a wider pool of emerging musicians to have a chance of performing. It is possible they are only discovering Fete de la Musique now or didn’t feel prepared enough last year to apply. So it is important that the process gives every applicant an equal shot. However, we would encourage those who did not make the cut in previous years to reapply anytime they want,” said Boule.
The cultural attaché said that over the last 12 years, the Fête de la Musique allowed everyone to discover new musical trends from traditional music to rap, hip-hop, techno, jazz and so much more and that many local and international artists had taken part in the event throughout the years and contributed to its success.
“A lot of upcoming bands have gone on to become household names in SA such as Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Nakhane, BCUC and Urban Village to name a few. It is exciting to know that these once upcoming musicians had performed on our Fete de la Musique stages.”
Deadline🗓️ 15 April (11h59pm)
To apply ✍️ https://t.co/06vo7LBvaH
Download the application form here➡https://t.co/cohhZey5nE#fetedelamusiquejhb #fdlmjhb2023 #FDLMJHB #NewtownJunction [2/2]
' Fête de la Musique (@JoburgFDLM) March 15, 2023
The organisers said the chosen artists would 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.
“One of the festival’s main aims is to be an incubator for fresh talent and create long-term opportunities for the new generation of performers. Like last year, we will once again host a workshop before the festival for the winning artists. The topics are unknown as of yet as we plan to co-create the programme with the artists according to what they would like to learn and improve upon. This will also allow for a networking opportunity with musical stalwarts in the industry.”
HOW TO APPLY?
Send your application pack (bio, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos and press kit), including your application form (download here https://www.fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za/) via WeTransfer to:
fetedelamusiquejoburg@gmail.com
Artmotion S.Africa
