Fête de la Musique is back to mark 30 years of 'beats, culture & pure vibes'
The Fête de la Musique is back and turning up the volume in 2025 with more rhythm, more soul, and even more reason to celebrate. Set against the urban-chic backdrop of Victoria Yards, this year's festival is dialled all the way up — marking 50 years of UNESCO's International Music Day and 30 years of the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).
The event is taking place on June 21, at Victoria Yards, Lorentzville, Johannesburg.
Expect vibes for days with a curated line-up of more than 20 acts plucked from more than 300 hopefuls by a top-tier panel of national and international tastemakers. This is no ordinary playlist — this is live music magic, with a mix of raw talent and rising stars, all served on a Johannesburg winter afternoon.
Sun-El Musician and Bongeziwe Mabandla — both alumni of Fête stages past — are back to show just how far they've come. Now national icons, they're bringing their signature sounds home to where it all began.
Also on stage will be Akeeda, Jabulile Majola, Namhla Badela, Thabiso Thabete, NdumzDJ, Brandon Aura, IDAHUM, KatzTheSingR, Tumi Dibakoane, Tsoness, Afro Moment, Shepard Brothers, Tshepo Molefe, Thando Nkosi, KGZOO and many others, including some surprise acts.
'As we celebrate 30 years of IFAS in South Africa, we are proud to continue providing platforms like Fête de la Musique that support artistic expression and cultural exchange,' says Dorine Lebreton, cultural attaché and deputy director of IFAS. 'This festival is not only a celebration of music, but also a space where artists can grow, experiment and connect with audiences in meaningful ways.'
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IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Fête de la Musique returns with Sun-El Musician, Bongeziwe Mabandla and a focus on skills development
Sun-El Musician is one of the headline performers at the 2025 Fête de la Musique. Picture: Supplied Image: Supplied The Fête de la Musique returns to Victoria Yards for its 14th edition, promising more than just a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community, it's also a platform shaping the future of South Africa's entertainment industry. Headlining this year's festivities are two local superstars Sun-El Musician and Bongeziwe Mabandla, who performed at the festival more than a decade ago and have since become nationally celebrated artists. But the festival's true legacy lies beyond the stage. Through its ongoing partnership with the Live Music Lab, Fête de la Musique offers a vital skills development programme for young professionals, giving them a rare, hands-on experience in the live music and events space. Brad Holmes, founder of Bassline Jazz Club and co-organiser of the festival, explained why mentorship plays such a crucial role in empowering South Africa's next generation of industry leaders, particularly during Youth Month. 'From the previous Live Music Lab intake, I picked out that some individuals love the industry and hope to contribute to it in a meaningful way; however, their passion is undirected, thus resulting in a blurry vision, making the path harder to navigate,' he shared. 'Age tends to play a factor in this; I could not properly articulate what I wanted to do until the age of 26. The guidance from a mentor can assist individuals to identify their interests, hone in on their strengths, and niche their interests based on their experiences.' Holmes also stressed that connections are everything in the entertainment industry. 'In an industry that is relationship-based, having a mentor can help erect a bridge between you and the network one needs to help start or propel their career. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "They can do this by either introducing you to their contacts or making you conscious of events that you can attend where other people with aligned interests could be,' he added. The Live Music Lab programme ensures trainees are not only trained but are fully industry-ready. 'Each trainee gets the opportunity to shadow at two events across various roles, ensuring everyone develops both technical and soft skills,' Holmes explained. 'The programme also provides valuable industry insights and networking opportunities, equipping trainees with the confidence, knowledge, and connections needed to succeed in the competitive entertainment landscape.' And the results are already showing. 'From the first 30 people we enrolled in the programme, 19 are working permanently in the industry. "I have a 2024 and 2025 trainee who are both currently working with me, and I can see in real-time that the curriculum we have designed efficiently equips individuals to navigate their roles upon exit,' he proudly noted. When asked what essential qualities young people need to succeed behind the scenes in festivals and event production, Holmes was clear: 'There are multiple critical qualities, but I would like to highlight the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset, being a lifelong learner, the ability to adapt to circumstances, and the will to continuously reinvent yourself.' In addition to developing behind-the-scenes talent, Fête de la Musique also emphasis preparing emerging artists for the real world of the music business. 'Being a platform for aspiring and emerging artists, it is pivotal to provide talent with the necessary knowledge and skills required to help them navigate the industry after the festival,' Holmes said. 'With FDLM, our intention is to assure career progression as soon as they leave the stage. For instance, our workshop this year is curated with the intent to impart artists with the knowledge required to host their shows, as nowadays it is quite challenging for artists to get gigs.' As South Africa celebrates its youth this month, Holmes also offered a simple yet powerful piece of advice to all young creatives hoping to break into the industry. 'Never give up!' The 2025 Fête de la Musique line-up features over 20 acts selected from more than 300 applications, chosen by a respected local and international jury. The full line-up includes: Akeeda, Jabulile Majola, Namhla Badela, Thabiso Thabete, NdumzDJ, Brandon Aura, IDAHUM, KatzTheSingR, Tumi Dibakoane, Tsoness, Afro Moment, Shepard Brothers, Tshepo Molefe, Thando Nkosi and Many More Poetry, KHNYSA, KGZOO, Little Music School in the Valley, and Poet Bass'd Band. The 2025 Fête de la Musique Johannesburg takes place at Victoria Yards on June 21, 2025. IOL Entertainment
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12-06-2025
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Diary: 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Fête de la Musique returns to Victoria Yards and Thandiswa Mazwai brings Belede and Sankofa to The Lyric Theatre
Taking off: Alice Viskat's Flughafen is playing in Scotland. Electrifying local play at the Edinburgh Fringe Get ready to be stranded—in the best way possible. Flughafen makes its international debut at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a one-hour whirlwind of screwball comedy, mystery and emotional intensity. Set in a storm-lashed German airport terminal, four strangers face more than just flight delays as secrets unravel in real-time. The brainchild of Cape Town's rising star Alice Viskat, this chamber piece blends Knives Out-style tension with the Cold War intrigue of The Americans. With a cast led by Melissa Pretorius (MelFunktion) and a script that veers from hilarious to haunting, Flughafen promises an atmospheric theatre experience. It's also a milestone — one of fewer than 15 female-directed South African productions to grace the Fringe in 78 years. Catch it at Freddy's (Venue 194), daily from 31 July to 24 August (except 8 August). Book via the Fringe website. Fête isn't just a concert – it's a cultural movement The Fête de la Musique returns to Victoria Yards, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 21 June, for its 14th edition — and it's bigger than ever. Running from 1pm to 7pm, with free entry, this vibrant celebration of sound and community coincides with the 50th anniversary of Unesco's International Music Day and 30 years of the French Institute of South Africa. Expect an eclectic mix of more than 20 acts, including headliners Sun-El Musician and Bongeziwe Mabandla, both of whom lit up the stage a decade ago. From soulful soloists to poetic collectives, the line-up showcases raw local talent selected from more than 300 applications. The event also shines a spotlight on sustainability with support from the KiCK initiative and offers hands-on experience for young creatives through the Live Music Lab. Come for the beats — stay for the vibe. Thandiswa Mazwai fans are in for a rare treat Celebration: Thandiswa Mazwai will be on stage at Gold Reef City. Thandiswa Mazwai brings her unmistakable voice and artistry to The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on Sunday, 29 June for a one-night-only performance of Belede x Sankofa. Backed by a stellar jazz quartet, Thandiswa will journey through the powerful sonic landscapes of her acclaimed albums Belede and Sankofa, offering an evening steeped in memory, homage and Afro-futurist spirit. Expect meditative, emotionally charged arrangements that reflect her personal and musical encounters with legends like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, as well as her travels across Africa. This performance marks a year since the release of Sankofa, and Mazwai will curate a set that honours her roots while expanding the boundaries of contemporary African jazz. Tickets at Webtickets range from R400 to R1 000.
