The First Symposium on Music Technology and Innovation in East Africa
Kilele is a new symposium for East Africa, providing a cutting-edge forum for technology and innovation as it relates to music culture. Spanning a 7-day schedule of workshops, concerts, live performances, networking and presentations, Kilele will bring together the region’s most forward thinking creatives and collectives with global music tech companies, platforms and thought leaders.
Running from February 12th to 18th 2024, this event is the culmination of over a decade of accelerated creative endeavor in the electronic music space of East Africa, and dials in on the role of technology in music innovation, education, and creativity. Kilele will connect artists, DJs, curators, collectives, and venues with key players in the global music space to celebrate the journey so far, and define the path forward.
Background
The symposium has been initiated by the “Études for Live-electronics” team from the Department of Music Acoustics at mdw (Vienna) and Santuri East Africa.
Santuri is an award-winning community-focussed music innovation hub based in Nairobi, Kenya, existing to bring about a more equitable, authentic and diverse music industry. Kilele will also mark Santuri’s 10th anniversary serving the underground / electronic music community in the region.
The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna's FWF-PEEK project "Études for Live-electronics" undertook a project at Santuri in early 2023. They'll return to build on that foundation for Kilele.
Santuri is an award-winning community-focussed music innovation hub based in Nairobi, Kenya, existing to bring about a more equitable, authentic and diverse music industry. Kilele will also mark Santuri’s 10th anniversary serving the underground / electronic music community in the region.
The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna's FWF-PEEK project "Études for Live-electronics" undertook a project at Santuri in early 2023. They'll return to build on that foundation for Kilele.
Program
This first iteration of Kilele will focus on cross-cultural collaborations, live electronic performances and music education as key themes, under which a wide assortment of topics and ideas will be explored.
Delegates and visitors can expect a program of thought provoking seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as deep dives into Nairobi’s flourishing nightlife via showcases, after parties and networking events.
Already confirmed are internationally-acclaimed avant-garde Kenyan artists KMRU and Nyokabi Kariũki, plus Labdi Ommes, Monrhea Carter, Astrid Bin, Bernt Isak Wærstad, and Alex Hofmann. A slew of additional international and regional artists, organisations and platforms are set to announce their participation shortly.
Happening across multiple venues in the heart of Nairobi’s underground music scene (including Goethe-Institut Nairobi, The Mist, and Santuri Salon), Kilele is an opportunity to find like-minded souls, build networks, explore new markets and dive into the burning topics that will define the sector in the future.
Delegates and visitors can expect a program of thought provoking seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as deep dives into Nairobi’s flourishing nightlife via showcases, after parties and networking events.
Already confirmed are internationally-acclaimed avant-garde Kenyan artists KMRU and Nyokabi Kariũki, plus Labdi Ommes, Monrhea Carter, Astrid Bin, Bernt Isak Wærstad, and Alex Hofmann. A slew of additional international and regional artists, organisations and platforms are set to announce their participation shortly.
Happening across multiple venues in the heart of Nairobi’s underground music scene (including Goethe-Institut Nairobi, The Mist, and Santuri Salon), Kilele is an opportunity to find like-minded souls, build networks, explore new markets and dive into the burning topics that will define the sector in the future.
Want to be a part of Kilele?
We’ll be announcing more details shortly, but mark your calendars and fill out this form to stay in touch:
Google Form
You can also write to kilele@santuri.org if you are interested in partnering or pitching workshops / presentations / showcases.
Stay up to date with Kilele:
︎ @kilelesummit
︎ @KileleSummit
*Kilele means peak or summit in Kiswahili, a place of elevation from which to gain perspective.
This project is supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia
This project is supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia
.
Febuary 12 - 18th 2024, - Nairobi, Kenya
CONFIRMED ARTISTS (first release)
...and many more to come!
Partners & Supporters
Ableton - the leading music tech firm behind Ableton Live and Push
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Partners & Supporters
Ableton - the leading music tech firm behind Ableton Live and Push
Austrian Science Fund (FWF) - The Austrian Science Fund is the most important Austrian funding organization for basic research. The FWF supports research in science, engineering, and the humanities
CDR - CDR is a black-led music and talent development organisation with a deep heritage in the UK's grassroots electronic music scene.
Goethe-Institut Nairobi- The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global presence.
Pro Helvetia - The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia supports and promotes Swiss culture in Switzerland and throughout the world
Resident Advisor - The world’s leading ticketing and editorial platform for underground electronic music are partnering with Kilele.
This project is supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia
Febuary 12 - 18th 2024, - Nairobi, Kenya
Program - submit your prooposal to be a part of Kilele. - ****CLOSED****
Do you have an idea for a performance, workshop, presentation or panel you would like to host or partner on at Kilele. We are seeking proposals that exhibit:
- A high level of musical excellence and innovation, particularly around the use of technology.
- An openness for collaboration and experimentation.
- Topics or approaches relevant for the region that also challenge norms and provoke healthy debate. This could relate to music education, addressing social or political issues or challenging hierarchies, corporations or received wisdom.
Add your ideas here in as much detail as you can, and our program committee will work through your submission and get back to you. Soft deadline is on 17th of November and the hard deadline is on 24th.
****CLOSED*****
If you have already submitted something or reached out to us via other channels, please take a moment to complete this more detailed form so we can fully understand what your idea entails. We are excited to hear from you!
Programme Committee
So you know who you are pitching to, the programme committee is made up of:
[M]
Coco Em
Nyokabi Kariũki
Anowa Quarcoo
Bernt Isak
Alex Hofmann
David Tinning
Want to be a partner of Kilele?
You can also write to kilele@santuri.org if you are interested in becoming either a financial partner or a collaborative partner active in the programming.
Stay up to date with Kilele:
︎ @kilelesummit
︎ @KileleSummit
.