Concerts SA nominated for 2026 Music Cities Award

The awards are presented by Sound Diplomacy and recognise organisations, public bodies and cultural initiatives using music to support urban development and community engagement.

According to the organisers, the 2026 edition received 222 applications from 50 countries across six continents.

Concerts SA has been shortlisted in the Music-Led Placemaking category for its work in supporting live music ecosystems in southern Africa through artist development and community-focused programming.

The organisation operates as part of the Festival Enterprise Catalyst project and has received support from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, the Government of Norway and South Africa’s National Treasury Jobs Fund.

The winners of the awards are scheduled to be announced on 11 June 2026 during the Music Cities Convention 2026 in Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom.

“The Music Cities Awards nomination is a meaningful recognition of the work being done across southern Africa to position music as a catalyst for social and spatial development,” Concerts SA project manager Andre Le Roux said.

Southern African Music Rights Organisation CEO Annabelle Lebethe said: “We are honoured to stand alongside inspiring global projects that share a vision for more inclusive, vibrant, and resilient cities through music.”

The nomination adds to previous recognition received by Concerts SA at the Business and Arts South Africa Awards, including the Increasing Access to the Arts Award in 2016/2017.

Past recipients of the Music Cities Awards have included initiatives such as Playing For Change Foundation and Queensland Music Festival.