Applications for FDLM 2024 are Open

🎹 🎼 🎤 🎸 📻 🎧 🎷

Applications for Fête de la Musique 2024 are now open! The French Institute of South Africa is excited to invite musicians, bands, singers, poets and DJs of all genres to seize the opportunity to be part of this renowned festival.

The first 300 applicants will be considered.

🎵 Find the application form here

FDLM 2023 – Full Lineup and Headliners Announced!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Morena Leraba, Simmy, Tshepang Ramoba, Nomfusi and Musa Mashiane to Headline Fête de la Musique 2023 across 3 venues in Johannesburg.

Fête de la Musique, one of Johannesburg’s most anticipated music festivals, announces its exciting lineup of headlining acts for the 2023 edition. Taking place on the 24th of June at Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable celebration of local music and culture for everyone. The French Institute of South Africa is excited to bring this event back for its 12th year with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa, Newtown Junction and SAMRO.

Following the announcement of the 20 supporting performers, the 2023 headlining acts for Fête de la Musique Johannesburg are sure to dazzle:

Playing at Newtown Junction, Simmy is an exciting addition to the lineup. Her music blends elements of electronic dance music, neo-soul, and experimental pop. Simmy’s heartfelt lyrics and smooth melodies have earned her widespread acclaim, describing her music as “nostalgic in a sense that is relevant, energizing with societal undertones “

Also performing at Newtown Junction, Musa Mashiane will bring a unique sound experience of Afro-soul, traditional African, soulful R&B, jazz, blues and a strong texture of Afro-melodies. He pulls his inspiration from international singers like Victor Ntoni, Oumou Sangare, Stevie Wonder and Bobby McFerrin, but delivers it with a truly original African signature.

Victoria Yards will be led by Morena Leraba. This Lesotho-born singer and rapper brings a refreshing blend of genres to the Fête de la Musique stage.  He fuses traditional Sesotho lyrics with Electro, Afro-house and Hip-hop. His lyrics are rooted in the genre, Famo: a sub-genre of Sesotho traditional music or poetry.

The second headliner at Vic Yards is Tshepang Ramoba. Known as the versatile drummer of the legendary South African band, BLK JKS, Tshepang Ramoba brings his innovative musical talents to the FDLM stage. Blending elements of Hip-hop, R&B jazz, and other novel sounds, Tshepang’s music transcends boundaries with its infectious rhythm.

Finally, lighting up the Alliance Francaise JHB stage is Nomfusi. This self-taught singer and songwriter has become well-known for her untamed stage performances all over the world. Nomfusi’s music is a beautiful mix of genres from joyful Township sounds with Maskandi guitars to Afro Pop, Afro Soul and beautiful soulful Ballads with a hint of Gospel.

The whole line-up is:

Victoria Yards Stage A:

Morena Leraba – 18h00

L8 Antique – 16h00

Angelyric – 14h00

Madkind – 12h00

Victoria Yards – Stage B

Tshepang Ramoba – 17h00

Kekelingo – 15h00

Kazi Ya Sanaa – 13h00

PG_13 – 11h00

Newtown Junction – Piazza

Simmy – 17h00

LUUKHANYO – 15h00

The Charles Géne Suite – 13h00

Sfiso Atomza – 11h00

Newtown Junction – Ampd Studio Stage

Musa Mashiane – 16h00

uKhoiKhoi – 14h00

The Cooligans – 12h00

Newtown Junction – Railway Line Stage

ThuliThulz – 16h00

SHAKES – 14h00

MazwiDaDj – 12h00

SweeterBrown – 11h00

Alliance Française of Johannesburg

Nomfusi – 17h00

Ntunja – 15h40

Zoe Molelekwa – 14h30

Nonhlanhla Dube – 13h15

Noba – 12h20

Asiomhle Zuri – 11h30

By partnering with Bassline Live, Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, the festival hopes to increase accessibility with a wide range of locations and musical acts to choose from.

Fête de la Musique is free to all! Join us on June 24th, 2023 for a musical feast for everyone.

Here’s the First Drop: Congratulations to the 2023 Lineup Winners!

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has once again partnered with TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction to bring the Fête de la Musique (FDLM) back for its 12th year with a carefully curated lineup with both established stars and exciting up-and-coming artists, guaranteeing an immersive musical experience that transcends boundaries.

Fête de la Musique Johannesburg, the highly anticipated annual music festival, is delighted to announce the first wave of its lineup:  20 winning acts are set to captivate audiences across 6 stages at 3 different venues on June 24th, 2023. The 4 headliners at this musical feast for all will soon be announced. 

The winning acts who will perform at Newtown Junction, Alliance Française and Victoria Yards are:

Zoe Molelekwa, Kekelingo, uKhoiKhoi, Nhlanhla Dube, SHAKES, The Charles Géne Suite, Angelyric, Asiomhle Zuri, L8 Antique, Noba, SweeterBrown, LUUKHANYO, Ntunja, ThuliThulz , The Cooligans, Madkind, PG_13,  Kazi Ya Sanaa, MazwiDaDj , Sfiso Atomza.

The popular and free music festival, established in 2010, has become a great platform for a diverse range of upcoming talents to make themselves heard in South Africa. And for Joburgers of all ages to come and connect with new music in their city.  

This year, 20 acts have been selected out of 300 applications for a spot on the FDLM stage. The results follow a rigorous selection process involving an expert jury from the South African music world. 

“Every year, we receive a wide range of applications, and each year, the selection process is both exciting and tough. South Africa’s musical talent is rich and diverse, which is mirrored in the applications. We believe we have chosen a lineup that reflects the future of South Africa’s dynamic music scene” says Sophie Boulé, Culture attaché and Deputy Director of The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).

The festival’s vision is not only to highlight fresh talent but also to be an incubator and create more opportunities for the new generation of performers through networking and knowledge-sharing. Like last year, winning applicants will be invited to attend a workshop before the festival. It will be facilitated by renowned industry players looking to strengthen the burgeoning musical talent in South Africa.

Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, originated in France and has since become a global phenomenon, celebrated in over 700 cities worldwide in 120 countries for more than 40 years. Johannesburg is a perfect city to host this event that brings together music enthusiasts from all walks of life.

By partnering with Bassline Live, Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, the festival hopes to increase accessibility with a wide range of locations to choose from. The festival will feature an eclectic mix of genres and styles, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

 Save the Date! Join us for an unforgettable musical feast at the Fête de la Musique Johannesburg on June 24th!

🎶✨We are thrilled to announce that this year’s festival will be held at not one, not two, but three amazing venues: Newtown Junction , Victoria Yards and Alliance Française of Johannesburg!

🎶 Immerse yourself in the vibrant tunes and diverse sounds of 24 musical talents from various genres. From soul-stirring melodies to electrifying beats, there’s something for everyone at the Fête de la Musique!

🌟 Bring your friends, family, and fellow music enthusiasts for a day of live performances and incredible food from local vendors.

🎉 Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of artistic expression! Mark your calendars and spread the word.

📅 Date: June 24th: 11am – 6pm
📍 Venues: Alliance Française JHB, Newtown Junction, and Victoria Yards

With the support of TotalEnergies and Newtown Junction, and produced by Bassline “In Music We Trust”

Calling all Musicians: Applications are open for Fête de la Musique 2023!

The French Institute of South Africa has officially opened the call for applications for the 2023 Fête de la Musique in Johannesburg until April 15th

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.

Organised by the French Institute of South Africa (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 offers a great opportunity and platform for upcoming bands. The Fête de la Musique allows everyone to discover new musical trends from traditional music to rap, hip-hop, techno, jazz and so much more. Many local and international artists have taken part in the event throughout the years and contributed to its success and theyincluding Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Vaudou Game, Nakhane, Blk Jks, Urban Village, BCUC, Ms Party, The Brother Moves On, Zoë Modiga and Brenda Mtambo and many more.

Get a taste of the atmosphere last year, here.

The French Institute of South Africa is calling for 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 which is scheduled for the 24th of June 2023 in Johannesburg.

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: Mamthug (iQawe), Sophie Boulé (French Institute of South Africa), Jérôme Galabert (Safiko Festival, Reunion Island), Violet Maile (Music in Africa), Dominique Soma (Weheartbeat), Brad Holmes (Bassline) and Mustavah Terki (Canada)

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

How to apply?

Send your application pack (bio, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos and press kit), including your application form (download here) via WeTransfer to:
fetedelamusiquejoburg@gmail.com.

Please also include what you would like to learn in the workshop if selected.

Deadline: The first 300 applications sent before the 15th of April 2023 will be considered. 

Successful applicants are selected for the originality of their work as well as their musical and stage performance qualities. 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.

Good luck!

Official line-up announced

Thank you to each and every artist that applied for this year’s Fête de la Musique round. We are excited to announce the selection of 22 musical acts to perform on the 18th of June at our biggest event yet.

“We are excited to have picked our largest group yet this year. The process was tough because there was such a diverse range of applications to choose from; some daring, some emotional, some loud, some soulful, but all extremely passionate. We were blown away by the dynamic and surprising entries that really pushed the envelope. Every year, the jury tries to select broadly across genres to create a melting pot of musical sounds. Luckily this year we were able to choose more acts, grow the festival and give more artists the opportunity to shine. It has been 40 years since the festival began in France, so it is a great occasion for a bigger celebration” says Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attaché and Deputy Director of IFAS.

Here is the list of successful applicants:

3heads
Adrian Kapiten
Androgenius
Black Heidi
Bonga Kwana
Bongani Givethanks
BONJ
Clement Measuretutti
DJ Teedo Love
Farai Matake
Future Radio
iPhupho L’Ka Biko
Jst Sako
Kazi Ya Sayaa
Kommanda Obbs
Kings Of Bantu Hymns
Letoya Makhene
LNTSound
Nadia Pryimak
Nomisupersta
NOTBENJAMIN
Vinnie Mak
Ziza Muftic

BCUC, Urban Village, Brenda Mtambo and Azah will be headlining Fête de la Musique in June 2022!

COME ONE, COME ALL, TO THE MUSICAL “STREET” BASH OF THE YEAR!

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) have once again partnered with TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction to bring the Fête de la Musique (FDLM) back for its 11th year with a line-up gearing to raise some heat this winter.

Taking place across 4 different venues simultaneously around Johannesburg and Soweto on the 18th of June, this free-for-all music festival is back in full swing after two years of Covid-related disruption – aiming to amplify the power of live music and take over the city with unique sounds and celebration.

One of the headlining acts this year is BCUC. The explosive Afro-Psychedelic band will return to the FDLM stage before heading off to Paris to kick off their European tour. BCUC and France have developed a strong connection over the years with BCUC first performing at Fête de la Musique in 2015 in Johannesburg as an application entry winner and later performing at the Transmusicales Festival in Rennes, France in late 2016.

Other familiar faces on the FDLM stage are Urban Village. Freshly returned from a tour of France and back for a third time, this Afro-Folk act will also be headlining the festival with an exciting infusion of Zulu rock, Xhosa funk, mbaqanga and maskandi in their repertoire.

Brenda Mtambo is another headliner act that, although new to Fête de la Musique, is no stranger to the South African music scene with her magnetic Afro-Soul oeuvre and heartfelt performances. 

And finally, festival-goers will enjoy the sounds of Azah, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer whose musical range and diversity promises a tonic for the soul. Steeped in the malambo lineage, he uses music as a tool to spread love and consciousness among his audiences.

As a part of the French Institute’s vision of empowering diverse musical talent, these 4 headliners will be joined by the soon-to-be- announced winners of the Call For Applications. This will allow a new generation of performers to share the spotlight during the festival and make live music accessible to all. By partnering with Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, the Alliance Française and Native Rebels in Soweto, the festival hopes to increase this accessibility with a wide range of locations to choose from.

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

The official Fête de la Musique visual was created by acclaimed Zimbabwean illustrator Sindiso Nyoni to reflect the essence of the festival – to inspire and share creativity and celebrate the South African “je ne sais quoi”.

The Fête de la Musique Joburg is brought to you by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in partnership with TotalEnergies South Africa and Newtown Junction. It is made possible by the support of venue partners Alliance Française JHB, Victoria Yards and Native Rebels and media partner France 24.