94.5 KFM ran a poll that allowed fans to vote for which local artist/band they wanted to open for Bon Jovi.

The short list was then sent to Bon Jovi’s management for approval who chose Mark Haze for the Cape Town performance.

Mark Haze is no stranger to the big stage.

He signed to Universal Music after becoming the runner up in South African Idols 2011 and went onto release his debut album ‘Where Angels Fear to Fly’.

His first single ‘Out of my Head’ went to gold status and was the most downloaded song in South Africa in 2011.

His follow up single ‘Wake Up’ went to number one on the SA charts and holds the record for the longest stay on the chart, with a massive 23 weeks on the Kia Take40 SA.

His current single ‘The best of the worst’ is currently playing on all major stations and his music video is featured on the ‘Now 64′ DVD.

Mark Haze

With one of the greatest catalogues of songs in the history of rock n’ roll, Bon Jovi has sold more than 125 million albums and racked up a stellar resume of career accomplishments. Bringing their signature brand of rock ‘n’ roll back to the people, Bon Jovi will be performing live in South Africa in May 2013.

The band’s return to the road in 2013 will cap an incredible run which has secured Bon Jovi’s status as the essential live rock band – having performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and earning the #1 grossing worldwide tour twice in just three years. “Because We Can – The Tour” will also debut brand new songs from new album What About Now, due out in Spring 2013, loading even more ammunition into the band’s huge arsenal of hits including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Who Says

South African Tour Dates:

Tuesday 7^th May 2013 – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Presented by 94.5 KFM and MNET

Saturday 11^th May 2013 – FNB Stadium, Soccer City Complex, Johannesburg

Presented by 94.7 Highveld Stereo and MNET

For more information on all things Bon Jovi, visit www.BonJovi.com. or Mark Haze www.markhaze.com

Ticketing Information:

Tickets on sale now for the Johannesburg show (web, outlets and call centers

Tickets on sale now for the Cape Town show (web, outlets and call centers)

Tickets available online from www.bigconcerts.co.za, or Computicket.

For more info Martin Myers -083 448 4475 -or martin@triplementertainment.co.za

Sophia Foster

American soul supremos Peaches & Herb are set to wow Cape Town early next month along with Zayn Adams, Sophia Foster (pictured above) and Isaac Monty.

The sweethearts of soul will give a once off performance on Saturday 4 May at GrandWest Casino outside Cape Town.

Concert promoter Lifestyle Events International will bring the hit makers to Cape Town for this historic concert that will feature the duo’s latest and greatest hits: Reunited, Let’s Fall in Love, Close your Eyes, For Your Love, Love is Strange and Shake Your Groove Thing.

Proving that they are concert promoters with a conscience, Lifestyle Events International will give R10 of each ticket sold to the Mayoral Special Fund, which is used to assist the needy of Cape Town.

Peaches & Herb began its meteoric rise in 1976 when Let’s Fall in Love hit the charts. Thereafter, a steady succession of hits followed. Reunited attained the no 1 slot worldwide in 1980 and has become known as the duo’s signature song; but other, equally successful hits followed. Reunited’s success was followed a year later by the dazzlingly successful album I Pledge My Love, which has gained favour as a wedding march. The duo cemented their success the following year when they stormed the hit parade with Bluer than Blue.

Strong & smooth Herb and the rather peachy Peaches will ignite the stage of GrandWest with his brandy-and-cream voice and her velvet tones.

Wanda Tolson is the latest in a series of illustrious female performers to take to the stage as Herb’s singing partner Peaches.

Boasting an independent singing career that is as successful as that of her 6 predecessors, the current Peaches also introduces a fresh, sexy quality to the duo.

The rest of the evening belongs to SA talents Zayn Adam, of Give a Little Love Fame, internationally acclaimed songbird Sophia Foster, and new kid on the block, Isaac Monty, who recently made the startling switch from choirmaster to tabloid star.

The concert will be held in the Arena of GrandWest, which for the duration of this night will be transformed into an intimate stage for one of the world’s most unforgettable duos – one that after 40 years in the spotlight can still shake their groove thing.

The Peaches & Herb concert takes place on Saturday 4 May at 8.30 pm in the Arena of GrandWest. Tickets range from R230. Tickets are available from Computicket.

for more info contact Martin Myers – martin@triplementertainment.co.za

The show is repeated every day and the times are:

Monday: 10h50 (premier), 15h50

Tuesday: 14h50, 17h50,

Wed: 08h20, 16h50,

Thurs: 10h50, 22h50

Friday: 08h50, 15h50,

Saturday: 08h20, 15h50, 20h50

Sunday: 07h20, 14h50, 19h50

From: Shelley Viljoen

Subject: Thank you!

Date: 27 March 2013 10:01:17 AM SAST

To: Martin Myers

Cc: tsholo Sebobe

Dear Martin,

I just wanted to say what an absolute pleasure it was dealing with you and Sipho during this campaign, and to thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to the project.

Your and Sipho’s professionalism is unmatched and hopefully we can do more together in the future!

Thanks Mart! Will be in touch!

Cheers
Shelley

For three days, from 21 to 23 March 2013, the City Hall was abuzz with the sound of music – with a full programme of workshops and panel discussions on making it, marketing it, getting it heard on various platforms and ensuring that it moves with the times.

This independent music conference, now in its third year, attracted hundreds of experts and delegates from across the music spectrum – from composers and publishers to record company executives and media – to share knowledge and ideas, network, perform live showcases and identify opportunities to boost South African music locally, regionally and abroad.

Among the high-profile music creators spotted at the conference were Vicky Sampson, Mynie Grové, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, RJ Benjamin, Chad Saaiman, Jimmy Nevis, Mark Haze, Dub Masta China and Arno Carstens, as well as industry heavyweights such as Universal Music A&R consultant Benjy Mudie, Cape Town Jazz festival founder Rashid Lombard and Rolling Stone SA editor-in-chief Miles Keylock.

The international speakers on the programme included acclaimed house music producer and remixer Charles Webster (UK), music promoter Doug Davenport (USA) and Africori CEO Yoel Kenan (France).

One of the conference’s undisputed highlights was the keynote address by Trevor Jones, moderated by Universal Records managing director Randall Abrahams. Now based in the UK, Jones was born in District Six and is considered one of the top five film score composers in the world, with several Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations as well two ASCAP Awards in the bag.

Jones has made an indelible mark on the global entertainment industry, scoring international blockbusters such as Notting Hill, The Last of the Mohicans, Mississippi Burning and The Mighty and working with the likes of U2, Sting, David Bowie, Sinead O’Connor, Britney Spears, Elvis Costello and Charlotte Church.

Jones became overcome with emotion after being given a standing ovation by delegates, who warmly welcomed him back home.

During his inspirational talk, he spoke about the importance of music education and his desire to give something back to South African music industry: “Key to South Africa’s success is hard work and building a positive perception of our country and us a nation,” he said.

Award-winning local singer, songwriter and guitarist Arno Carstens, who spoke at the conference about the song that made him famous, said it was an honour to be part of Music Exchange and it was encouraging and inspiring to see so many enthusiastic people attend and share their experiences and knowledge.

Joining Carstens on the stellar line-up of artists speaking about the song that made them famous, Vicky Sampson acknowledged songwriter Alan Lazar (formerly of Mango Groove, and now a successful composer based in Los Angeles), who wrote African Dream. “I am grateful that Alan gave me the song and did not pass me up for Mango Groove’s Claire Johnston,” Sampson quipped. She spent every minute of the conference absorbing and learning, as well as reconnecting with her mentor Benjy Mudie and her old friend RJ Benjamin.

Versatile singer, composer and teacher Benjamin, who has been invited to be a vocal coach for the upcoming season of Idols and will be composing SABC2’s new signature tune, continuously urged delegates to make use of social media platforms to reach new audiences. Benjamin stood out as one of the speakers to whom delegates were drawn and his presentations proved to be extremely popular.

After the weekend’s proceedings wrapped up, local music legend Hotstix tweeted: “What a conference; what great speakers and delegates – wow!”

Added a delighted Music Exchange founder and board member, Martin Myers: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the positive feedback we’ve received, and the animated conversations on social media platforms about the success of Music Exchange.

“Recording and performing artists, as well as composers and other industry players, have complimented the conference for being relevant, engaging and thought-provoking. There was a strong focus on the business side of music, which elevated this event above a mere talk shop: they left with useful, practical information that will undoubtedly be of immense value in their various professional ventures.”

Visit www.musicexchange.co.za to find out more about next year’s Music Exchange conference, or follow @musicexchange on Twitter.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Music Exchange – www.musicexchange.co.za

Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse

Bizcommunity recently sat down with Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse to talk about Music Exchange 2013 – the conference that’s got tongues wagging and interest piqued within the entertainment industry. With more than 40 years of experience, Mabuse is a treasure trove of knowledge for any aspiring musician.

Bizcommunity: You’ve had continuous involvement with Music Exchange since the inaugural conference in 2009, what is your role in this year’s conference?

Sipho Mabuse: My role is multi-pronged, I serve as a director, I’m a partner, and I spoke in the last two and gave my own personal experiences as a musician. What’s important for us is to formulate direction; I sit in the meetings that we have and we formulate direction, which topics do we deal with, and that’s basically what I do.

Read more at Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse chats Music Exchange 2013.

Trevor Jones

With its already stellar line-up, Music Exchange 2013 is proud to announce that the iconic composer Trevor Jones has agreed to deliver the independent music conferences’ keynote address on 21 March 2013 at Cape Town’s City Hall.

“David Bowie, Sting, U2, Sinead O’Connor, Charlotte Church, Britney Spears and Elvis Costello have all worked with him,” event owner and organiser Martin Myers highlights. “It’s a privilege and rare pleasure to be able to welcome a man who has made his mark within the global music and entertainment industry.”

Jones, as a jury member for BAFTA, the Mercury Music Prize and the International Film Festival of Flanders, Ghent, makes him one of the most sought after composers and arrangers. Born and raised in South Africa, Jones left the country, aged 17, to take up a scholarship the Royal Academy of Music in London where he studied composition, orchestration, conducting, piano and organ.

Film and television have also benefited from his pioneering work with the fusion of acoustic and electronic mastery over the past four decades. From Excalibur, The Dark Crystal, Runaway Train, Angel Heart, Mississippi Burning, Last of the Mohicans through to In the Name of the Father and Notting Hill, amongst many others – Jones’ scores are the stuff of legend.

In another conference coup, Randall Abrahams, Managing Director of Universal Music South Africa & sub-Saharan Africa, will chair and moderate the keynote address.

www.MusicExchange.co.za