Tipik des Seychelles makes us proud in Morocco |13 December 2023
Tipik des Seychelles performing
A team of popular local artists and musicians forming part of the Tipik des Seychelles group proudly represented Seychelles at the eighth Visa For Music held in Rabat, Morocco recently.
Led by popular singer Jean-Marc Volcy and musician Tony Julie, the band is made up of local talents who have traditional music at heart. They have joined together to promote the traditional music genres such as sega and moutya on an international level.
Apart from the two, other musicians include Brian Matombe, Sanley Monnaie, Ralph Cecile and Belinda Moncherry.
Leading the delegation, Galen Bresson, who is a well-known figure in the music and creative industries, said after being invited by the director and founder of Visa For Music, Brahim El Mazned to take part in this year’s event in Morocco, he contacted some artists like Jean-Marc and from there, preparations started.
Visa For Music is a music festival that has become, over the years, the essential meeting place for music from Africa and the Middle East.
Each year, the Visa for Music provides a chance to bring together professionals from music industries across five continents in conferences, speed meetings, musical shows and workshops. It offers those taking part the chance to develop network, showcase their projects and create partnerships, as well as appreciate the talents of Africa and the Middle East.
Mr Bresson said the four-day festival was made up of different components – musical shows in various venues such as halls, bars, cafés and auditorium where different groups performed; groups taking part had the chance to showcase their creative industries and even unique cultural and tourism selling points of their countries at various stands; workshops, conferences highlighting different topics relating to cultural heritage, the future of music creation in the age of artificial intelligence, promotion of African musical heritage, copyright, creative musical process in video games among other relevant topics.
Other components were the speed meetings and networking sessions whereby artists, bands, music groups taking part could market themselves and their work with different music festival organisers, producers, music promoters. There was even a workshop on sound and light engineering.
Mr Bresson said there were several benefits to attending this festival such as for the country as a whole.
“Many people came to discover what Seychelles is all about, several had never heard of our islands and were amazed by what they learned from our stand which was being run by our tourism department, and we even had people who said they are going to change their holiday destination and head to our archipelago instead. This indeed is great for our tourism industry,” he added.
Tipik des Seychelles did an amazing job in Morocco as after their performance, they were asked to keep playing. Many people were enthralled by the sounds and rhythm, and the band was then offered another slot to perform, he said.
Showcasing our music there has allowed for partnerships to be established and Mr Bresson and his team have received positive responses from overseas platforms, not only in Africa but in Europe and all the way across North America, and many invitations are coming through.
On his part, Mr Volcy said the performances by Tipik des Seychelles have truly showcased the sounds and rhythm of the Creole music and have received positive feedback and invitation to attend this festival next year.
Mr Bresson said he is happy to have taken the initiative to take part in the festival, leading the delegation, as this will bring more exposure to our artists and their work.
He echoed words of thanks to Turnkey Solutions for its support, the Seychelles Authors and Composers Society for sponsoring all its members who went to Morocco with their per diem, as well as friends and family members who have in one way or another supported and made this trip a success.
He also thanked the delegation members for accepting to join him in this venture and for their commitment.
Photos: Contributed
