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This year, a band performing at Fête will be paid R5 500, while a performing DJ will earn R3 000 and poets R1 000.
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) recently made a callout to artists who want to be part of this year’s Fête de la Musique. Picture: Klaus Vedfelt/ Getty Images
Fête de la Musique, the music festival organised by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), has over the years been on the receiving end of pent-up aggression from some local artists because of the amount of compensation for performers.
Since its inception in 2010, the free-entry concert has allowed emerging talents to shine on the South African stage. It annually takes place on 21 June, which is International Music Day.
IFAS recently announced that applications are open for the 14th edition of Fête, which will be held in Johannesburg.
For this year’s edition, a band performing at Fête will be compensated with R5 500, a performing DJ with R3 000, and poets with R1 000.
“I think all criticism is valued and based on the fact that this fee hasn’t changed for the last two years, I can understand why artists would be upset,” poet Angela ‘Angelyric’ Mthembu told The Citizen.
Mthembu graced the Fête stage in her solo capacity and as part of the band PG-13. She performed with her collective in 2019 and as a solo act in 2023.
This year’s edition commemorates the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s International Music Day. Additionally, 2025 marks 30 years of IFAS in South Africa.
Initially launched in France in 1982, Fête has become a global celebration, now held in more than 120 countries.
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IFAS’ acknowledgement
Speaking to The Citizen, Aysha Waja, the cultural programme officer at the French Institute of South Africa, said the organisation understands the criticism of compensation.
“We appreciate the conversations around fair compensation for artists,” she said.
“That said, Fête de la Musique is a free public event — we don’t sell tickets, and as a public institution, the French Institute isn’t allowed to generate revenue from the festival.”
Waja added that they rely entirely on external funding to support the event and the artists participating.
While the financial support may be modest, she said it’s paired with professional development opportunities and meaningful exposure.
Waja says that artists selected for the festival receive free training to help advance their careers and benefit from access to our South African and international networks.
“For many, performing at Fête de la Musique is the start of an ongoing partnership with the French Institute — not just a one-off gig.”
In her response, Mthembu spoke about the complex financial realities for bands like PG-13, particularly the costs associated with rehearsals and travel, which can overshadow the income from performance fees, which may function more as stipends.
“The conversation about fair compensation is crucial, not just for individual artists but for the sustainability of the music ecosystem in South Africa, and it’s commendable that the festival is opened to such conversations being had,” she said.
The poet said that publishing the exact performance fee in their callout demonstrates the need for transparency and equity in how artists are compensated.
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For entry-level artists
Mthembu echoes the cultural programme officer’s statement that artists must consider that their band or brand has outgrown the Fête stage and leave it for more developmental artists who have never played in such spaces or been compensated at any of their previous performances.
“Maybe Fête is an entry-level festival, and the more developed artists should find other applications that suit their needs. Or perhaps artists need to step out of that mindset that live performances are their primary avenue of income,” the poet sagely shared.
Some of the requirements that hopeful performers must adhere to include being able to deliver a 45-minute set with strong audience engagement and attending compulsory professional workshops in Johannesburg on June 19 and 20.
Waja said they are close to reaching their cap of 300 applications with just a few days left before the 16 April deadline.
“The number of selected artists will ultimately be decided by the jury, but we’re aiming to feature between 12 and 16 musicians and DJs this year,” she said.
In 2024, the festival, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, took place at one venue at Joburg’s Victoria Yards. Fête will continue in the same vein this year.
“With three stages showcasing a range of performances throughout the day,” shared Waja.
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