After a year-long hiatus, the Bassline Live at the Lyric Theatre made its return to the stage, supported by the National Arts Council PESP package. In conversation with Councillor Tshepo Mashiane and NAC staff members at one of the showcases, Brad Holmes of Bassline Live reflected on the invaluable support that was extended by the NAC.

Through PESP the NAC has given us a much needed lifeline – due to the restrictions saddled on live music because of COVID-19. We are breathing a sigh of relief and are excited to once again be doing what we love to do, and that is live, quality, original and proudly African music.

Fans of real live music experience enjoyed what they have been missing through the previous year, in the form of a three-concert series in the month of May. Ami Faku supported by Urban Village Music, Msaki supported by Monga K and Zoë Modiga supported by Zu were on stage at The Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg’s Gold Reef City on the 8th, 15th and 22nd of May respectively.

The focus of the three-concert series was to develop the music industry and employment. Bassline hand-pick both upcoming and emerging artists to be on their line-up.

The showcase also stimulated employment at the Gold Reef City Lyric Theatre, one of the many lifestyle and entertainment locations adversely affected by COVID-19 and its restrictions on the sector. All the staff at the Lyric Theatre, who offer a long list of supportive services, were amped at being able to get into momentum again.

In a forward step into the new age of the digital landscape, the Bassline continued to do what they do best – bridge an audience development chasm through consistent innovation. For audiences that could not make it to the Lyric Theatre for the sold-out performances, the series went digital on Skyroomlive on the 3rd of July 2021, proliferating an appreciation for local content to global audiences.