FETE de la Musique has finally announced its line-up for 2023 festival.
Each year, auditions are held for musicians from all over Mzansi to audition for a chance to participate in the show. In 2023, more than 300 musicians and bands auditioned in March and only 20 were selected.
Some of the 20 musicians include Kekelingo, uKhoiKhoi, Zoe Molelekwa, L8 Antique, The Cooligans, Kazi Ya Sanaa, as well as Nhlanhla Dube.
This year’s Fete de la Musique will take place on 24 June in three different venues which will soon be announced.
Sophie Boulé, the Culture attache and Deputy Director of The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), which organises the festival said they chose musicians who they believe are the future of Mzansi.
“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 line-up that reflects the future of South Africa’s dynamic music scene,” she said.
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Sophie said the festival holds auditions because they want to give up-and-coming musicians a platform to be on big stages.
“This process allows for a wider pool of emerging musicians to have a chance of performing. It's important that the process gives every applicant an equal shot. There are a lot less opportunities at this level for up-and-coming musicians in South Africa and not a lot of places for the public to discover new music either,” she said.
Musicians such as Msaki, Nakhane, Samthing Soweto started on that stage, and Sophie said they hope the up-and-coming musicians part of this year’s festival will also reach higher levels.
“What is most gratifying for us is to see that these success story bands today are invited to perform in France, which illustrates our strong cultural cooperation between France and South Africa.
“A lot of up-and-coming bands who performed at this festival have gone on to become household names in this country such as Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Nakhane, BCUC and Urban Village, to name a few. It is exciting to know that these once up-and-coming musicians had performed on our Fete de la Musique stages,” Sophie said.
