#TheWeeklyRoundUp - 15.09.23

DistroKid buys Bandzoogle (Complete Music Update) DIY distributor DistroKid has bought direct-to-fan platform Bandzoogle, meaning that artists will be able to "power digital, physical and on-demand merch and music sales seamlessly within the DistroKid ecosystem". Bandzoogle was first launched 20 years ago and says it now powers more than 60,000 websites and online stores. As well as facilitating the online sale of downloads and merchandise, it can also be used to sell tickets, and to manage membership or crowd-funding programmes. Confirming the acquisition, DistroKid founder and CEO Philip Kaplan says: “At DistroKid, we’re always working on innovative ways to help artists. Bandzoogle has built incredible tools that make it super easy for every artist to set up an impactful public website and e-commerce store". Bandzoogle CEO Stacey Bedford adds: "After 20 years of helping artists build effective websites and sell over $100 million in commission-free music, merch and tickets, this is an exciting new chapter for Bandzoogle. DistroKid has always put artists first, just like we have, so we’re THRILLED to join forces to continue to empower artists".

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A music experience like no other (News24)

The Bloemfontein-based company Bl3sid Productions will be performing Brothers of Praise (B.O.P!) later this month.

The featured local artists who are billed to perform are Rea-Mo (Reatile Mothibe), Danie de Meyer, Mohlomi Mohale, Levert Solomons, Lungile Madolo, Tumi Moses and artistDaya (David Roman).

David Roman says the principle of Bl3sid Productions is to conduct workshops on songwriting with the featured artists, and the B.O.P! performance is the culmination of these sessions. The show will be performed in the Andre Huguenet Theatre on Friday, 29 September, at 19:00.

Roman says some of these artists may be known to the audiences. “We can assure you that you will hear and experience these artists like never before.” All the songs performed at this concert will be newly written, composed, and performed for the first time.

Bl3sid Productions is a beneficiary of Thuthukisane, an arts and culture development programme offered by the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) and Nedbank’s affinity programme. Bl3sid Productions intends to bring Sistas of Praise! (S.O.P!) by end of March 2024.