Fête de la Musique Joburg is doing things differently - The free festival Fête de la Musique Joburg makes a return post-lockdown with performances at four venues in the city
returns after a two-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 restrictions. The free music festival, which has been rocking France since 1982, is now celebrated on 21 June in more than 700 cities.
Many local and international artists have performed on the Fête de la Musique stage throughout the years. They include Samthing Soweto, Msaki, Nakhane Toure, Zoe Modiga, BLK JKS, Urban Village, BCUC, Berita, Bänz Oester and the Rainmakers and Bombshelter Beast. BCUC were lucky enough to benefit from government relief during the lockdown when artists couldn’t perform. “Digital Mobility Fund, we played twice. And during that time, bekuntswembu [it was tough], so that money really helped,” says Jovi.
Jovi feels the same, adding, “It would be untrue to say we never get anxious. But, also, we are in a position where we have to take risks because it’s also about livelihoods. So, we must be extra careful in terms of health.” “As a band and as humans, we’ve been evolving,” he says. “We haven’t been static since the last time we performed. We’ve been growing, playing other venues. It will definitely have its own energy.”“We are proud of these success stories of musicians coming from South Africa and being able to travel in France and Europe,” Boulé says, noting that the festival is an incubator for young talent.