Moshito is all about the music

Everything about the music industry, from making music to working in the business, will be discussed and dissected by experts and musicians at Moshito.
THE eighth annual Moshito plans to unbundle topical issues like the digital aspect of the global music business. More contentious issues pertinent to the domestic industry will also be discussed, in what organisers have said is the most extensive Moshito programme to date.

Moshito Music Conference and ExhibitionThe music conference and exhibition will also be a place where people in the industry can socialise, showcase their goods and services, and network. And information will be exchanged about the domestic music business and what avenues can be explored to expand it. At heart, Moshito is designed to broaden the business acumen of people in the music industry and strengthen their business networks.

“Moshito is turning up the heat on the business of music in South Africa with its most extensive and impressive conference programme to date, once again confirming its standing as Africa’s premier music industry event aimed at developing and stimulating the domestic industry,” says Ayob Vania from JT Communication Solutions, publicists of Moshito.

The conference runs for three days at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, from 31 August to 2 September.

Organisers say there will be more than 30 panel discussions, information sessions and workshops. Specialists from South Africa, the rest of the continent, the US, Spain, Canada, Indonesia, Colombia and several other countries are billed to participate.

Among a range of issues to be hammered out in plenary and breakaway sessions is digital music, essential for anyone creating, using or working with digital music and for people working in the business side of the industry. This topic will have two dedicated sessions on the first day of the conference.

Pan-African festival
Other issues on the agenda include understanding the digital music ecosystem, Mzanzi’s golden economy, emerging markets, the future of digital music in Africa, women and leadership, the growth of a viable Pan-African festival circuit, and an examination of local broadcast content and compliance with the UN Convention on Cultural Diversity.

Musician Sipho Hotstix Mabuse at last year's MoshitoMusician Sipho Hotstix Mabuse at last year's MoshitoMore contentious issues might be brought up, such as piracy and social security, while discussions are also expected on seminal issues like new music markets, entrepreneurship, live music, industry basics, challenges, and technology.
Colombia’s cultural policy and the possibilities of cultural exchange between South Africa and that country will be on the programme. The session will include Raul Esteban Sanchez Niño of the Colombian Embassy in South Africa and the journalist, Salym Fayad.

Participating panellists include Marc Herson, a digital media executive at Softbank Capital; Antos Stella, of Content Connect; Xolani Zulu from the South African Music Rights Organisation; the managing director at World Wide Worx Strategy, Steven Ambrose; the Vodacom content manager of music, Nomsa Ntuli; and Thabiet Allie, Vodacom’s commercial portfolio manager for media.

Ben Herson, the founder and director of Nomadic Wax, a global hip-hop record label; Christa Rautenbach and Anel du Plessis, from Northwest University; Professor Chats DeVroop; Gustav Praekelt, the founder and chief executive of Praekelt Consulting and a representative of the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, will also participate.

“Day three of Moshito 2011 swings the focus from the challenges and issues facing the music industry to a series of presentations that ensure newcomers to the industry or those needing to brush up on their knowledge and skills have a one-stop shop to go to,” says Vania.

Technology
Topics to be thrashed out at the last day of the conference range from how to improve digital revenue streams to youth-orientated technology for deejays beyond vinyl and loops; publishing; why musicians need managers; making money; composing music; and touring North America.

He says there will also be a host of live music events, including the Africa Unites concert presented in association with Arts Alive 2011. “This year, Africa Unites takes place on 2 September and features a stunning line-up of world-class African artists, including Nigerian singer-songwriter Asa, award-winning Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina, and South Africa’s etho-ragga and soul songstress Nkulee Dube.”

Delegates dicuss musicDelegates discuss musicExhibitions will be by entertainment houses and government departments.
Moshito is endorsed and sponsored by the City of Johannesburg and the national Department of Arts and Culture, and Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival, among others. It is organised in partnership with the Gauteng provincial department of sport, arts, culture and recreation.

It is about exchanging valuable insights and opinions about the music business as well as showcasing musical crafts.

“Moshito is focused even more keenly on its objective of broadening the business intelligence of music industry professionals in South Africa and the continent, strengthening business networks for participants and informing delegates, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the global music industry,” reads its website.

Producers, promoters, engineers, songwriters, distributors, record label executives, artists, media practitioners and music admirers from across the globe are expected to attend. Since inception in 2004, Moshito has grown to become a premier music conference on the African continent, recognised for bringing together a diversity of professionals to do business.

Vania says this year’s conference is aimed at imparting music business skills and knowledge to participants, showcasing live music, a mini-film festival themed around music and an exhibition of products and services. For a full programme and to register, log on to the Moshito website.