The Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) has opened a global call for artists and speakers ahead of its seventh edition. The event will take place at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on 21 and 22 May 2027.
Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and will close on 31 December 2026, according to Bona Magazine. The call is open to people in Africa and in the African diaspora.
ARMC said the conference is “not just a place to talk about the future of African music”. The organisers said it is a place where the people building that future can meet.
This year’s theme is “Where Culture Meets”. The event is open to artists, music professionals, executives, business owners and cultural leaders.
The conference wants artists, live acts, DJs and music makers who have their own clear creative identity. Both new voices and established independent artists can apply.
Artists who are chosen will be considered for the ARMC 2027 live programme and showcases. They could perform for audiences, industry professionals and possible partners from Africa and other parts of the world.
ARMC is also looking for speakers who are helping to shape the music industry. Artists, executives, business owners and cultural leaders can send in ideas for talks and panel discussions.
The organisers said they want practical knowledge and new ideas. Topics include artist development, rights and royalties, technology, touring, music exports, funding, live music and building a lasting career.
The aim is for talks to go beyond theory, the conference said. People who attend should leave with ideas they can use in real life.
The two-day event will include talks, workshops, networking sessions, showcases and live music. ARMC said its main goal is to link African talent with the global music industry.
The conference also said it continues to focus on women in leadership, independent artists and groups that have little say in the music business.
ARMC started in Johannesburg and has grown into an international meeting point for people in Africa’s music industry. It runs conferences, workshops, artist development projects and exchange programmes during the year.
Berlin-based music executive Meike Nolte has spoken well of the event in the past. She said the people she met were keen and were taking charge of their own careers.
“I’ve been to many conferences, and this is quite special. Everyone is super enthusiastic, you get to meet people who are go-getters, and it’s great to see the level at which people operate here,” Nolte said.
Early bird tickets for ARMC 2027 are now on sale. The organisers said sending in an application does not mean a person will be chosen or booked.
Details about the programme, travel and production will be shared directly with the people who are selected. Applications for the artist and speaker programmes close on 31 December 2026.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Bona Magazine. Image: Bona Magazine. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.