Women in Live Music Shine in Cape Town Celebration
On Thursday, 8 August 2025, the Youngblood Gallery in Cape Town came alive with rhythm, colour, and powerful conversations as artists, researchers, and music lovers gathered for the Women in Live Music Dissemination Session. The event, hosted by SACO, SAMRO, Concerts SA, FEC and IKS Cultural Consulting, in celebration of Women’s Month, created an unforgettable evening that honoured the incredible contributions of women to South Africa’s live music ecosystem.
From the moment guests walked in, greeted with a refreshing rooibos and citrus spritz, the energy was electric.
The gallery wall – lined with striking portraits by acclaimed artist Judy Seidman, showcasing pioneering women in South African music. Each image told a story — not just of performance, but of resilience, creativity, and the heartbeat of a nation’s cultural history.
🎶 Research presentations
Research presentations by Gwen Ansell and Prof. Alethea de Villiers, unpacking challenges and opportunities for women in music careers.
🎶 Powerful reflections
Powerful reflections from artists such as Aus Tebza, Nicky B, Lu Dlamini, and the incomparable Tutu Puoane, who shared candid insights into their journeys.
🎶 A Dynamic Panel Discussion
A dynamic panel discussion that sparked meaningful dialogue on visibility, equity, mentorship, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for women in music.
🎶 A Breathtaking Live Performance
A breathtaking live performance by Tutu Puoane and Ewout Pierreux, closing the night on a soulful, celebratory note.
The hybrid format allowed voices from across the country and beyond to join in, with 249 participants connecting both in person and online.
The discussions didn’t shy away from hard truths — from pay gaps and childcare barriers to festival line-up parity — but they also celebrated solutions, including mentorship pipelines, venue partnerships, and bursaries to empower women in the industry.
The panel discussion was attended physically by more than 40 people, and over 200 online. The networking event between the panel and the concert was attended by between 60 and 80 people, and the concert was overbooked, where beyond the 104 tickets sold prior to the event, 12 were additional walk-ins on the day. Most who attended physically saw the exhibition, and over 100 copies of the research were distributed, and the exhibition remained up for Women’ s Month.
Most importantly, the event left participants inspired and energised. The sense of community was palpable — a collective commitment to ensuring that women’s voices, on stage and behind the scenes, continue to shape the future of live music in South Africa.
As one participant put it, “This was more than an event — it was a movement.”
✨ Women in Live Music are not just part of the story — they are the story. And the beat is only getting stronger.
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