The 2023 Pan-African Music Festival was a real success, marked by highlights and novelties that aroused the interest of the public and the artists. Under the direction of Gervais Hugues Ondaye, general commissioner of the festival, this edition was marked by studio recording contracts between musicians, thus offering new opportunities for the participating artists.
This edition of the festival took place not only in Brazzaville, but also in two new sites, Mayanga and Kintélé. These new locations have brought a new dimension to the event, allowing a greater number of people to enjoy the concerts and discover new musical talents.
The diversity of musical genres presented during the festival was also a strong point. In addition to rumba, urban music took pride of place, highlighting promising young artists such as Tidiane Mario, Diesel Gucci, Nestelia Forest and Maestro. The audience was won over by these new voices and their energy on stage.
One of the great successes of this edition was the signing of recording contracts between renowned artists such as Sidiki Djabaté and Ferré Gola, and emerging talents such as Diesel Gucci and Kevin Mbouandé. These collaborations promise exciting musical projects and will allow artists to share their music across Africa.
Despite these successes, adjustments are necessary for the next editions of the festival. It is important to take into account artists’ feedback on the fees offered, in order to guarantee fair remuneration for all. In addition, it would be beneficial to rotate the orchestras at each edition, in order to promote all the artists and offer them paid performance opportunities.
Finally, it is essential to avoid bringing back on stage bands that have disappeared from the music scene for a long time, unless they have really made a comeback and have something new to present. The festival must remain a showcase for current and emerging talent.
The 2023 Pan-African Music Festival was a real success, opening up new perspectives for artists and offering spectators unforgettable musical moments. The changes made by the General Commissioner were welcomed and it is imperative to continue to develop this dynamic for future editions