Festival tips for the artists!

I have been attending HIFA since I was about 16 years old; then as just a young teen looking for entertainment and that was the closest to international acts that I would see. However, my perception of attending festivals has since changed from just fun, to more of a unique opportunity to network. This perception was reinforced when I attended Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, thanks to the Zimbabwe German Society. I attended not as an artist, but as an arts administrator, so I saw the other side of the festival that can actually transform the life of an artist. So here is what I learnt from Sauti za Busara that artists can apply to maximise on the festival this year. 1. You have to realise and accept (whether you like it or not) that HIFA is the biggest platform we have as artists to network, learn and showcase on a local level to an audience that we wouldn’t ordinarily have in one place. So not taking advantage of such a platform in our back yard would be ridiculous. It’s the best way to showcase yourself to both the local and international audience. So if you did not make the cut this year, try and find out why and then try again next year. 2. Festival organisers, scouts, managers, agents, publishers and anyone and everyone who has anything to do with the arts will be there, from different corners of the world. Attend workshops. Here you will get to meet the necessary people and have a personal relationship with them. Last year, at one workshop, I met Oliver Groth from Botswana, and ended up sharing the stage with Tuku in Botswana at his venue Botswanacraft later that year. I also attended a workshop by Josephine Oniyama (UK) and less than 4 artists attended, who arrived an hour later , so we had a lot of one on one time, and me being me, I ended up featuring on her set that evening on global stage. 3. Meet as many artists as you can. My first tour to Germany resulted because of a HIFA collaboration. The Zimbabwe German Society facilitated the German band Jamaram and well, the rest is history. We have stayed in touch and have created opportunities between us. The easiest way to travel is to know someone in the country and field that you are interested in, that way you are always on in the know. 4. If you are not performing at HIFA you could create an event that runs parallel to HIFA. Most people who come to HIFA from different parts of the world also want to experience life outside of the festival, so having a show at another venue could see an overspill of patrons coming to your show...and then put your best foot forward. 5. Always have marketing material. Business cards, fliers, pamphlets, CDs, DVDs or anything that people can take with them is a must. Even if you are just attending the festival, just move around with something on you at all times. Who knows, you could just bump into Salief Keta on the Coke Green. 6. Make sure your online profile is on point. When you tell someone about you, chances are they will google you to see what you do. So make sure you have professional images, video clips, and anything that you think would keep people interested in your craft. 7. Watch as many shows as you can. Inspiration comes from anywhere. If you are set out to be an international artist, what better ways than to watch other acts perform? It is an easy way to get new ideas and concepts that you can copy, pimp and paste to your own creations. And remember, you are only as good as what you know. So strive to know a lot!!! That’s my 2 cents. Make the best of every situation. Tried and tested!!