The places to be at are Constitution Hill, Newtown, Victoria Yards and Parkwood where top musical acts and new talent will entertain at Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival and at Fête de la Musique festival.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
This weekend is a packed one for those who love music as two popular annual music festivals will be taking place around Johannesburg catering for both the youth and adult musical tastes.
From Newtown, Victoria Yards, Constitution Hill to Parkwood, it is music all over the place. You do not have to have an excuse to be bored and sit at home when there is so much happening around your city.
Let us start from here: Bash Uhuru Freedom Festival. Johannesburg’s most anticipated creative festival, Constitution Hill’s Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, will offer a jam-packed line-up of creative immersions and experiences for its 2023 edition having in fact started off from June 21, with a series of workshops at Women’s Jail at Con Hill culminating with the big bang festival on 24, 2023 at Constitution Hill. Tickets are available from Webtickets.
The Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival was founded in 2012 to immortalise the memory of the youth who fought for their right to choose in the Soweto 1976 Uprising, affording youth of today the freedom to explore their creativity and freedom of expression.
Sounds of Freedom Music Festival: 24 June 2023
In true Basha style, the festival culminates on 24 of June with the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival. Curated to provide space for up-and-coming artists and new talent, the music festival this year is headlined by local mega stars.
This year’s festival brings local starts and legends to the main stage! Festival goers can look forward to DJ Zinhle; Kwesta; Samthing Soweto; Shekhinah; Thando Nje; Sol Phenduka; Marcus Harvey an Friends; GYRE; izaNGOMA; Ms Party; KMAT DJ; Boujeena; Sweeter Brown; Mam’Thug; RANGER; KITCHENMESS; Lyndow Radebe and a guest performance from this year’s Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award – THEBE!
The music festival on the 24th of June 23 opens at 10h00, and festivalgoers can enjoy a full day at the Curated Market with a line-up of DJ’s; performances; activations; food stalls and bars. The Curated market offers a selection of handmade local goods; art exhibits; designer wear and loads of unique and new offerings. No under 18s. Tickets (R150 online and R200 at the event) available at Webtickets.
“We are proud to host the 2023 Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival back at full scale as Conhill’s flagship Youth Month Event” says Constitution Hill CEO, Dawn Robertson. “Over the years, Basha Uhuru gave birth to The Creative Uprising – an always-on programme, including the Creative Hub that opened in 2020. Focused on development, collaboration and upskilling creatives, the work of the hub will help to grow and support the creative economy in Gauteng.”
“Sol Beer is proud to partner with Basha Uhuru and the Team on this incredible project that not only supports Youth development through multiple channels but holds true to our commitment to local creativity. We are incredibly excited to go on this journey together as we build the platform and really empower the Youth. Let us not forget the gathering on Saturday 24th June and groove with a Sol, we are #LivefromtheSunnySide.” Warrick Wyngaard – Brand Manager Sol
Creative Week Conference: 21 – 23 June 2023
The Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival Creative Week is an all-encompassing creative showcase, an opportunity for creatives and aspiring creatives to come together, be inspired, showcase their talents and feed their creativity.
Each day has a particular creative focus offering masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops and dialogues. For the first time ever, people can choose to purchase tickets for each of the days or for the whole week, allowing them to select sessions more relevant to their interests.
“It’s exciting to once again partner with Basha Uhuru to celebrate the creativity of South Africa’s youth,” says Kirsty Niehaus, Nando’s Marketing Manager: Creativity Portfolio. “At Nando’s, we believe that creativity changes lives, which is why we’re passionate about nurturing and showcasing creative talent, and creating market access for young artists, designers and musicians, as well as democratising creativity by opening it up to more people. That speaks perfectly to what Basha Uhuru is all about. This year, we’re fired up to bring Shekinah to the Basha main stage and to share her journey and insights with festival goers during the creative conference. We will also be showcasing some of our homegrown emerging talent – the Nandoca Uhuru’s (from our internal music talent search) – on the market stage. It’s going to be a great celebration of local music talent.”
Fête de la Musique
This festival, which over the years has proved to be an important event on Johannesburg’s entertainment calendar is back, and this time it is taking place at there venues around the city, featuring both up and coming as well as tried and tested musical talent on various stages
Among the top names are Morena Leraba, Simmy, Tshepang Ramoba, Nomfusi and Musa Mashiane to who will headline Fête de la Musique 2023 across 3 venues in Johannesburg on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Fête de la Musique, one of Johannesburg’s most anticipated music festivals, announces its exciting lineup of headlining acts for the 2023 edition on the 24th of June. Taking place on the 24th of June at Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable celebration of local music and culture for everyone.
The French Institute of South Africa is excited to bring this event back for its 12th year with the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa, Newtown Junction and SAMRO. The event is free.
Following the announcement of the 20 supporting performers, the 2023 headlining acts for Fête de la Musique Johannesburg are sure to dazzle:
Playing at Newtown Junction, Simmy is an exciting addition to the lineup. Her music blends elements of electronic dance music, neo-soul, and experimental pop. Simmy’s heartfelt lyrics and smooth melodies have earned her widespread acclaim, describing her music as “nostalgic in a sense that is relevant, energizing with societal undertones.”
Also performing at Newtown Junction, Musa Mashiane will bring a unique sound experience of Afro-soul, traditional African, soulful R&B, jazz, blues and a strong texture of Afro-melodies. He pulls his inspiration from international singers like Victor Ntoni, Oumou Sangare, Stevie Wonder and Bobby McFerrin, but delivers it with a truly original African signature.
Victoria Yards will be led by Morena Leraba. This Lesotho-born singer and rapper brings a refreshing blend of genres to the Fête de la Musique stage. He fuses traditional Sesotho lyrics with Electro, Afro-house and Hip-hop. His lyrics are rooted in the genre, Famo: a sub-genre of Sesotho traditional music or poetry.
The second headliner at Vic Yards is Tshepang Ramoba. Known as the versatile drummer of the legendary South African band, BLK JKS, Tshepang Ramoba brings his innovative musical talents to the FDLM stage. Blending elements of Hip-hop, R&B jazz, and other novel sounds, Tshepang’s music transcends boundaries with its infectious rhythm.
Finally, lighting up the Alliance Francaise JHB stage is Nomfusi. This self-taught singer and songwriter has become well-known for her untamed stage performances all over the world. Nomfusi’s music is a beautiful mix of genres from joyful Township sounds with Maskandi guitars to Afro Pop, Afro Soul and beautiful soulful Ballads with a hint of Gospel.
The whole line-up is:
Victoria Yards Stage A:
Morena Leraba – 18h00
L8 Antique – 16h00
Angelyric – 14h00
Madkind – 12h00
Victoria Yards – Stage B
Tshepang Ramoba – 17h00
Kekelingo – 15h00
Kazi Ya Sanaa – 13h00
PG_13 – 11h00
Newtown Junction – Piazza
Simmy – 17h00
LUUKHANYO – 15h00
The Charles Géne Suite – 13h00
Sfiso Atomza – 11h00
Newtown Junction – Ampd Studio Stage
Musa Mashiane – 16h00
uKhoiKhoi – 14h00
The Cooligans – 12h00
Newtown Junction – Railway Line Stage
ThuliThulz – 16h00
SHAKES – 14h00
MazwiDaDj – 12h00
SweeterBrown – 11h00
Alliance Française of Johannesburg
Nomfusi – 17h00
Ntunja – 15h40
Zoe Molelekwa – 14h30
Nonhlanhla Dube – 13h15
Noba – 12h20
Asiomhle Zuri – 11h30
By partnering with Bassline Live, Newtown Junction, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, the festival hopes to increase accessibility with a wide range of locations and musical acts to choose from.
Fête de la Musique is free to all! Join us on June 24th, 2023 for a musical feast for everyone.