Tidal Waves, Msaki, Darkie Fiction and more headline Fête de la Musique’s line-up
JOBURG – Fête de la Musique returns to Newtown and continues to support cultural and artistic endeavours across multiple disciplines.
On Saturday 8 June, the Newtown Cultural Precinct will again come alive as the annual Fête de la Musique festival returns for its eighth edition.
The popular festival of music and pan-continental expression is once again brought to Joburg audiences by the Alliance Française of Johannesburg and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), with the support of Total South Africa and in partnership with Bassline Live, the Market Theatre Foundation, Trace, Newtown Junction, Workshop Newtown and News Café.
READ: Newtown comes alive with global celebration of music at Fête de La Musique
From 11 am–7 pm, French, South African and international music acts will perform at the free music event that has steadily grown in stature and popularity over the years.
Today, the Fête de la Musique is celebrated in 700 cities in 120 countries across the world in June, including South Africa and it’s all about discovering new forms of music and expression, and bonding with friends old and new through the shared universal language of music.
This year, following an exhaustive application process, a number of music acts have already been confirmed, with more to be announced soon. One of the headline acts will be iconic local reggae band Tidal Waves – who has earned legendary status for their live shows over the years, with their roots reggae-infused with traditional African sounds as well as rock, ska and blues influences.
READ: Fête de la Musique in pictures
Joining them will be South African Music Award-nominated indie Afro-folk composer and songstress Msaki, whose soulful folk is interlaced with symphonic movements, Xhosa lyrics and African polyryhtms.
Revellers can also look forward to seeing Mozambican Afro-soul artist Deltino Guerreiro, South African all-girl art collective PG_13, Zimbabwean Afro-house doyenne Jackie Queens, Cape Town-based neo-soul singer-songwriter Refentse Solo, the DRC’s mesmerising ‘couturier of music’ Grace Attalie, Durban-born alternative multi-instrumentalist Red Robyn, and Afro-folk act Urban Village, who incorporate Zulu rock, Xhosa funk, mbaqanga and maskandi into their sound.
READ: Fête de la Musique all set for this weekend in Newtown
With such a melting pot of intriguing sounds on offer, the stage is set for a highly entertaining afternoon of musical expression, experimentation and discovery.
“The Fête de la Musique is an amazing adventure for everyone involved. For us, for the artists, for our partners and sponsors, we all share one common goal – to put on a really fun and free music festival with that unique French flair. We also want to promote this new generation of wonderful artists,” said Corinne Verdier, the head of IFAS’s cultural section.
Total South Africa said they were proud to announce that once again, they will support the event. The Fête de la Musique is part of their heritage portfolio, which is dedicated to supporting and advancing cultural and artistic endeavours across multiple disciplines.
More information and the full programme of the 2019 Fête de la Musique’s will soon be available on www.fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za.
