Through close collaboration between its music division and liaison offices, Pro Helvetia organised a Swiss presence at important international music events, enabling artists and cultural practitioners from Switzerland to better position themselves in international networks and markets.
From Shanghai to Johannesburg via Bogotá, Ziro and Rabat, different Swiss artists and delegations were present at major music platforms throughout the year. These initiatives foster exchange and dialogue across diverse music scenes. Discover a glimpse of the activities held.
International festivals & professional platforms
A Bunch of Noise (CHN)
3-5 April 2025, Shanghai, China
This year’s A Bunch of Noise, the third edition, featured a more diverse lineup, comprising musicians from 12 countries and regions, from 3-5 April 2025. Swiss musicians NVR, Francisco Meirino, G*park took part in tours, stage performances, and workshops.
A notable shift from last year is the expansion of the festival’s scope beyond the stage. This edition not only built the scene on stage but also broadened its artistic horizon through various face-to-face events at unique venues and spaces. For artists from diverse backgrounds coming together in Shanghai, an intense stage performance is undoubtedly essential. However, equally crucial is the opportunity for impromptu collaborations, inspirational exchanges, information sharing, career networking, and communication with the audience in more intimate local spaces. These interactions play a vital role in the sustainable development of their artistic careers.
Africa Rising Music Conference (ZA)
22-23 May 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa
The Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) is a platform dedicated to fostering collaboration between African and international music professionals. The Swiss music exchange association Ajiak Home Productions (who has previously been supported for a research trip and subsequent song writing camp project in Kampala, Uganda) put together a Swiss and Ugandan delegation to attend the 2025 edition of ARMC. This included Swiss DJ Bony Fly and R&B artist Mibsy, together with Oriana Wilkinson of Ajiak and Abaasa Rwemereza, founder of Amplify Uganda Music Expo.
During ARMC, the Swiss artists had the opportunity to showcase their music and take part in studio sessions, allowing for exchange and collaboration with African musicians and producers and fostering new creative outputs. These activities resulted in the Swiss artists being booked to perform at Bassline Festival in Johannesburg and Bushfire Festival in Eswatini, both taking place around the same time.
For the industry professionals, the ARMC discussions, panels, and business-to-business meetings provided a valuable networking opportunity to build relationships and facilitate future collaborations between Swiss and African stakeholders in the music industry.
BOmm – Bogotá Music Market (CO)
9-12 September 2025, Bogotá, Colombia
BOmm, Bogotá Music Market, is a platform for the promotion and circulation of the music sector, where artists, managers, labels, editors and cultural agents from Colombia and other countries gather to exchange. In the framework of its 2025 edition, a group of music professionals from Switzerland and South America met to discuss music production, with a focus on female creations.
The Swiss delegation was formed by Quentin Pilet aka Dj La Brucelle (Bongo Joe Records), Violeta García, Marcel Bizevic (Kaserne Basel), Jona Nido (Humus Records), and Cindy Cedeño. Alwa, Kiya (Bolivia), Eddy Gómez, Alejandra Gómez Quintero, and Paola Valdivieso Ruiz (Colombia) completed the group.
The event consisted of a series of business roundtables, workshops, panels, label encounters, and an evening of showcases. This (re)encounter follows a networking programme, organised in 2024 in collaboration with artlink, which enabled five artists and managers from Colombia and Bolivia to travel to Switzerland for professional meetings.
Ziro Festival (IN)
25-28 September 2025, Ziro, India
The Ziro Festival of Music is an annual outdoor music event held in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Established in 2012, the festival showcases independent music from across India and abroad, while emphasizing sustainability and cultural exchange. Organised with the support of the local Apatani community, it is noted for its eco-friendly practices, including bamboo stages and a strict no-plastic policy.
Anna Erhard performed at the Ziro Festival this year, arriving at the valley as part of an India tour that included stops in Gurgaon and New Delhi, and reached a wider audience through a more sustainable approach.
Visa For Music (MA)
19-22 November 2025, Rabat, Morocco
The 12th edition of Visa for Music in Rabat, Morocco, featured an electrifying performance by the Swiss-Moroccan artist Sami Galbi. Sami Galbi captivated the audience with a style that brilliantly blends traditional sounds with modern innovation. Drawing heavily on North African popular music, such as Rai and Chaabi, the musician integrates urban and electronic influences to create an authentic, yet thoroughly contemporary experience. His stage presence brought this dynamic fusion of traditional instruments and modern sounds to life.
In addition to the performance, Pro Helvetia and Visa for Music jointly supported a delegation of four music programmers from Switzerland: Rémi Bruggmann (Montreux Jazz Festival), Joe Frailich (Festival de la Cité), Mathéa Léger (JVAL Openair, TAKK-AB Entertainment), and Jacques Monnier (Paléo Festival Nyon). This delegation was on-site to fully experience the event and participate in a variety of activities including conferences, speed-meetings with the artists, showcases and networking events.
Visa For Music is a music festival and market from Africa and the Middle East, held every year over 4 days in November in Rabat, Morocco. This event, dedicated to the promotion of global musical diversity, with a particular focus on Africa and the Middle East, is a platform for artists, music professionals and players in the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI). It provides a space for meetings, the exchange of ideas and the creation of fruitful collaborations.
Appearances abroad
To broaden their scope and establish an international network, Pro Helvetia offers Swiss musicians, labels, associations and organising institutions the opportunity to present themselves at recognised professional platforms and festivals abroad.
