MUSIC EXCHANGE – South Africa’s premier music, film and entertainment programme returns to Cape Town City Hall, on the 7 and 8 March 2014, and this year the list of guest speakers is filled with nothing shy of true heavyweight material.

Music Exchange’s latest coupe is the inclusion of Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey) who will open this year’s forty-eight hour investment in our entertainment economy. Music Exchange is expanding its traditional music focus to include film and entertainment, by securing the attendance of Mos Def – aka Yasiin Bey, who has successfully crossed over from music into film thanks to acclaimed roles in The Italian Job, Def Poetry, 16 Blocks, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Dexter, among others.

South African-born film score composer Dr Trevor Jones, who has carved out a successful career in Hollywood and composed over 120 projects for film and television returns as Music Exchange board member this time. Delegates can look forward to the renowned composer and mentor presenting a talk on his collaborations with the likes of Irish super group U2 and Sinéad O’Conner.

Jones’ music scores remain the stuff of legend. These include Excalibur, The Dark Crystal, Notting Hill, Runaway Train, Angel Heart, The Last of the Mohicans amongst many more Hollywood Blockbuster movies.

The inclusion of Germany’s World Economic Forum awarded Global Leader for Tomorrow recipient Tim Renner, will deliver global insights and cement its reputation as the critically important, game-changing event that it’s clearly become.Tim Renner, who is also Managing Director of Motor Music has developed artists such as Rammstein, Portishead and 2Pac. Rammstein album “Sehnsucht” sold more than 500.000 copies in Germany. In the US it sold more than 1 Million copies which made the album to the most famous German speaking album of all time.

This year will also include the launch of the remix of Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse song “Jive Soweto recorded nearly 30 Years ago by International Electronic Dance Music (EDM) UK pioneer Charles Webster
He returns to Music Exchange under the ADMT (African Dance Music & Technology) hat and will will host a 2 day intense workshop and interactive sessions by 2 world class DJ/producers; Charles Webster from the UK (Defected, Miso, Foliage, House Afrika, Freerange amongst many others) and CapeTown’s Dino Michael (Good Hope FM, DJ Syndicate, Motherland Distribution, Defenders of the Deep etc.) A remix competition for attendees to remix one of Charles Webster’s tracks was held last year at the ADMT Electronic Dance Music workshop, the winner will have his remixes released worldwide the week before the 2014edition of ADMT

Panel discussions will draw on the expertise of industry heavyweights, Benjy Mudie, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, AKA, Jimmy Nevis, Sophia Foster , R J Benjamin ; Vicky Sampson, Auriol Hays , Estelle Kokot, PJ Powers ; Roeshdien Jazz and Selim Kajee, as well as Mozambican jazz musician Moreira Chonguica.

Diverse subjects covering every aspect of the African and global entertainment economy will be unpacked and shared by the very best in their respective disciplines. From the importance of arts and culture, insights into international trends, working in Africa, marketing, multi-media distribution mechanisms, right through to rights protection and how to be seen and heard in a market cluttered with noise, MUSIC EXCHANGE will deliver it all.

The movers and shakers of the entertainment industry are expected to converge on the City Hall in their numbers during the two-day event, from musicians to marketers and strategists, to network, discuss, collaborate, learn and be enriched by the latest global trends, knowledge and insights

“Music Exchange is essential for anyone in the industry who wants to connect with the correct stakeholders – be it in electronic dance music, digital trends, entering the live music scene or learning how to generate new income streams,” explains Chairperson Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse. The diversity of topics is truly inclusive and global, delivered by influential thought leaders.

Another Industry first will be a speed networking session where every delegate will have the opportunity to share 5 minutes with their top 10 and get connected to the single most powerful entertainment assembly yet.

Music Exchange extends itself even further by hosting quarterly workshops and Master Classes throughout the year explains Founder of Music Exchange Martin Myers.

Music Exchange hosted the following workshops and Master Classes last year.

• 17 May 2013 – Workshop on Songwriting Skills and finding your Voice with RJ Benjamin was held at Cape Town City Hall
• 21 August 2013 – Lecture Series on “Can music be a vehicle to advance the culture of human rights? International Human Rights Day with Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse at Wits University
• 25 and 26 November 2013 – Master class at South African College of Music with International Film Composer Dr Trevor Jones

It was important to us that we take Music Exchange to the people, there is huge interest to host Music Exchange in all three Metropolitan Areas and plans are already on the way.

MUSIC EXCHANGE promises to be an intense, extensive immersion for those newly curious, right through the biggest and best in the business.

What does the future hold for the entertainment industry? Find out by booking for this vital window on the local and global entertainment economy, at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets nationwide.

Visit www.computicket.com or call 0861 915 8000. Tickets cost R220 for a single day’s access to Music Exchange 2014, or R400 for the full two-day event.

Music Exchange 2014 Commercial link