Spotlight on music industry

By Tonight Reporter, Published on the web by Tonight on September 3, 2008.

The annual Moshito Music Conference kicks off next Wednesday at Museum Africa in Newtown. The conference deals with problems, debates and discussions facing the music industry. This year they have three confirmed international speakers, including Gerald Seligman, director of Womad, the world's biggest music expo. Moshito announced a partnership with Womad and together they will co-develop sessions on Digital and International Environments.

Also taking parting is Manny Mohamed Aly Ansar, the man behind Africa's legendary Festival in the Desert, in Mali. He is widely acknowledged as providing a platform for Africa's Touareg musicians.

David Vodicka, of Rubber Records, will bring his expertise on the Australian music industry. Local speakers include Pfanani Lishivha, GM for Samro, who will discuss needletime, radio DJ and CEO of Basa, Michelle Constant and Ray Phiri who'll talk about the state of the live music industry. Rashid Lombard will speak on how festivals organise themselves and grow collectively.

Other topics will focus on new markets, live music, socio- economic development and the age-old piracy debate. These will take the form of plenary sessions, breakaway sessions which allow for more focus on the issues being discussed and the popular hot seats where controversial topics affecting the SA music industry are put in the spotlight.

Registration fee for the conference is R500, which gives the delegates entry to all four days at the conference as well as the delegate's cocktail party on Wednesday. In addition, the fee gives access to various fringe events taking place at venues in Newtown.