Fête de la Musique festival 2022 marks return of live music to Jozi

Perhaps nothing is indicative of a return to some sort of pre-pandemic socialising normality than the healthy return of live music gigs.

This year’s edition of Johannesburg’s free Fête de la Musique festival offers plenty of choice and opportunities for audiences to re-immerse themselves in the special experience that is the magical interaction that live music affords.

In its 11th iteration, the festival, presented by the French Institute of SA in partnership with TotalEnergies Marketing SA and Newtown Junction, offers a wide variety of acts on June 18.

Fresh off their standout performances at Réunion Island’s Sakifo festival and IOMMA conference — trad-mod alchemists BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) and Urban Village join fellow headliners Azah and Brenda Mtambo in a line-up of 26 acts, including Bongani Givethanks, Kommanda Obbs, Future Radio, Black Heidi, Kings of Bantu Hymns and NotBenjamin that should satisfy the diverse listening tastes of fans of all genres.

The only difficulty will be deciding which artists to watch and where, as gigs are played simultaneously across six stages at the festival’s four venues: the French Institute in Parkview, Victoria Yards in Lorentzville, Newton Junction in Newtown, and Native Rebels in Soweto.

Electricity may be unreliable, political stability and credibility may be questionable and the winter chill may have set in but as long as you trust in the magic and power of music to help shake your hips and transport you to a better place, you’ll have at least one day of pure musical bliss to remember before you have to return to the harsh realities of humdrum life.

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