Call for applications: ACCES 2023 music showcases

Organized by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in various cities across the African continent, ACCES brings performers to a diverse audience of local and international representatives, including festival curators, promoters, booking agents, record labels and others. We provide a platform for you to showcase your talent. Influential industry experts.

ACCES returns to Dar es Salaam for the second consecutive time with new programs including workshops, conference sessions, live performances, networking spaces and exhibitions. It will be the first time a city has hosted a pan-African event twice, thanks to a new strategy developed by MIAF to increase the impact of the annual trade fair.

ACCES has so far been held in Dakar (2017), Nairobi (2018), Accra (2019), Johannesburg (2021) and Dar es Salaam (2022).

The application deadline is April 30, 2023 (Midnight CAT).

Who can apply?

• The call is open to African musicians (solo artists and bands) based on the continent.
• Applicants are budding musicians who would truly benefit from the opportunity to build an international career.
• Applicants can perform well.
• Applicants must be ready for export.
• All genres are welcome.
• All participants must be over the age of 18.
• All applications should be based on live performances and original music. No backing track.
• Performances that endorse a political party or religion are not permitted.

Applications can be submitted by the artist himself or by an artist/band representative (manager, publisher, label, agent, promoter).

support from access

• Selected acts are presented at ACCES to a diverse audience of local and international music professionals from the music industry and other influential audiences.
• Participants will receive a modest reward.
• Performers will be provided with local transportation (related to the performance).
• Performers from outside Dar es Salaam will be provided with accommodation (related to the performance) and per diems. Only one band-her manager can attend the traveling party and receive the same support as the band-her members provided by ACCES.
• The VISA fee will be refunded against your receipt.
• If required for travel, the cost of COVID-19 testing will be reimbursed against your receipt.
• ACCES provides a basic shared backline in addition to the usual sound and lighting.
• Performers will be granted full access passes to all ACCES activities, including conferences and workshops.
• Selected acts will be promoted on Music In Africa and ACCES platforms (programme, newsletters, press releases, website, social media, etc.).
• ACCES provides media exposure.
• ACCES provides performers and their representatives with tools and platforms to reach out to new audiences and business partners.
• ACCES venues will also have space allocated for artists to sell their merchandise.

Important requirements to consider before applying

• Applicants must be available during ACCES and be prepared to perform on one of the dates (November 9, 10 and 11, 2023).
• Musicians based outside of Dar es Salaam should be prepared to provide their own transportation to and from Dar es Salaam. The Music In Africa Foundation will endeavor to support musicians applying for funding from available networks and partners, but cannot guarantee that this will be successful.

Application procedure

1. Read the application guidelines carefully.

2. Create a profile in the Music in Africa Artist & Industry section (if you haven’t already). Using this link: www.musicinafrica.net/user/registerPlease ensure your profile is complete and up-to-date as this is a profile reviewed by the ACCES curation committee. www.musicinafrica.net/node/21539.

Your profile should include:

• clear biography.
• Release of at least three new songs.
• At least one live performance video.
• At least two high resolution promotional photos and credits.
• Website, Streaming, and Social Media Links.

Note: Your profile may already be created by a Music in Africa contributor. In this case, you will need to follow the online instructions to claim. After managing your profile, be sure to update it. An email address can only be linked to one Music In Africa profile.

3. Complete this application form. Applications by e-mail are not eligible.

Note: This form does not allow applicants to save and complete later. Make sure you have all the required information and documents before completing.

Selection process

Application deadline: April 30, 2023 (Midnight CAT).

• Eligible applications will be reviewed by the ACCES curation committee.
• All applicants will be notified by June 9, 2023.
• Only complete applications are considered.
• Only applications submitted through the dedicated online form will be considered.
• Late applications will not be considered.

For inquiries and information, please email Claire Metais. claire@musicinafrica.net.

View this open call in French here.