In search of way forward for Seychelles music |21 July 2017
To remain abreast of the global trend in the music in industry, a delegation from the Seychelles musical trade recently took part in Midem 2017, the world’s musical market based in Cannes, France. It is a yearly international business event dedicated to the new music ecosystem, with a trade show, conferences, competitions, networking events and live performances. It was held from June 4 to 9.
Midem is the place where music makers, cutting edge technologies, brands and talents come together to enrich the passionate relationship between people, music transform audience engagement and form new business connection.
It is the perfect platform to promote music at international level and to build up new deals.
The delegation, headed by the chief executive of the National Arts Council (NAC) Jimmy Savy, comprised the chairman of the Seychelles Music Association (Seymas) Jean-Marc Volcy, chairman of Praslin Artist Federation Regis Philoe, director of T.G.V music Patrick Victor, Producer/ Artist Michael Savy, Metis band leader/arranger Tony Julie and TV producer/ artist Jonny Volcère.
The Seychellois music professionals met their peers from other countries and familiarised themselves with upcoming trends in the music business, discovered new tools and how to use them for their business through training sessions and discussions. Their participation was to eventually find a way forward for the Seychelles music industry through networking with the appropriate international stakeholders and form new business connections which will enable Seychelles to export its music.
A forum was held earlier this week to transmit all gathered information to all stakeholders in the music industry in Seychelles. It was the first stage in a series of other forums taking place in the future for the selection and preparation of a team of Seychellois artists who will take part in Midem 2018.
The forum was attended by Mr Savy himself, the Mayor of Victoria David Andre, who is also an accomplished musician, cultural advisor Emmanuel D’Offay, representatives from the University of Seychelles, Guy Morel Institute, producers, musicians, other stakeholders and some other members of the delegation who took part in Midem.
After a short video filmed by TV producer Volcère, showing the participation of the delegation at Midem, CEO Savy said that NAC would collaborate with all stakeholders to select the musical group it intends to send to Midem next year. He said it takes a lot of effort through professional approach to convince international stakeholders to buy our music as there are also artists from other countries who are competing for the same purpose.
“We cannot go to Midem with any group or product just for the sake of us participating in the event. The group has to be professionals and it would most likely be those who do music as their profession and the music or songs should be ours and that could hit the international market. All should be very professionally well prepared and rehearsed,” he added.
Jean-Marc Volcy, Michael Savy, Johny Volcère and Patrick Victor all shared their experiences gained at Midem.
Validating the re-introduction of a license for musicians, a recommendation from the CINEA artist forum in April, was also a topic of discussion during the forum as also a way forward in restructuring of Seychelles music industry.
P.J.