Fans to enjoy musical experience free of charge

JOHANNESBURG - The 14th edition of the Fête de la Musique makes a comeback at Victoria Yards.
WATCH | World Tour | AJ's music impacts audiences in SA
It's going to bring out a lively celebration of musical expression and cultural exchange.
The 2025 edition coincides with the 50th anniversary of UNECO's international Music Day and the 30th anniversary of the French Institute of South Africa. Talent manager Reavin Cummings and Namhla Bhadela discuss this further with eNCA.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

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

The Citizen

6 days ago

• The Citizen

US R&B star AJ Ghent on bringing world tour to South Africa

AJ will perform at the Carnival City Big Top Arena later this year, supported by South African singer and actor Brian Temba. AJ Ghent is bringing his world tour to South Africa. Picture: Instagram/@ajghent American singer and lap steel guitar virtuoso AJ Ghent is heading to South Africa for the first time this October as part of his global tour. AJ will perform at the Carnival City Big Top Arena on 10 and 11 October, supported by South African singer and actor Brian Temba. Best known for his soulful track Let the Guitar Sing, AJ is a third-generation singer-songwriter and producer, hailing from a lineage of musicians who pioneered the 'singing guitar' tradition — a distinctive style dating back to the 1930s. AJ blends R&B, gospel, blues, and funk, performing with a modern twist that incorporates lap and pedal steel guitars. ALSO READ: Travis Scott and three other international superstars heading to Mzansi this year AJ Ghent: 'Come looking for healing' Speaking to eNCA, AJ said coming to South Africa is part of his goal to spread healing across the globe. He said he has received many requests to visit South Africa. 'It's been a request for probably a couple of years now, and I've never been. 'I believe the Earth needs healing, and my goal is to journey across the globe and provide that healing. So we're going to start in South Africa.' AJ said audience members can expect more than just a concert. 'Come looking for healing. Come looking for singing guitar vibes… I get so many testimonies and comments from people saying, 'This helps me' or 'This heals me.' 'After really seeing the need, I'm going to dedicate my life to providing singing guitar music — healing music.' NOW READ: Black Coffee foundation raises R500 000 for Eastern Cape flood victims

eNCA

15-06-2025

• eNCA

Fans to enjoy musical experience free of charge

JOHANNESBURG - The 14th edition of the Fête de la Musique makes a comeback at Victoria Yards. WATCH | World Tour | AJ's music impacts audiences in SA It's going to bring out a lively celebration of musical expression and cultural exchange. The 2025 edition coincides with the 50th anniversary of UNECO's international Music Day and the 30th anniversary of the French Institute of South Africa. Talent manager Reavin Cummings and Namhla Bhadela discuss this further with eNCA.