IND!E FUSE Returns DEC 12 – 14, 2013

by Billie McTernan | photos by Mantse Aryeequaye

*Double-click on images to enlarge.

Wanlov the Kubolor + M3NSA = FOKN BOIS. Photo taken in Central Accra

For those that are unfamiliar with IND!E FUSE, you should know that it is the country’s largest concert of independent artists that falls slap-bang in the middle of Ghana’s December party season.

When I came to Ghana in December 2012 it had been four years since I’d last visited the country. Up until that time I had been under the guardianship of family, shuttling from one family house to another, missing out on the vibrancy the city had to offer. I was looking forward to discovering an alternative experience.

Kojo-Cue keeps it Kumasi in central Accra

I had been in Ghana for less than a week before I attended IND!E FUSE. Many Ghanaians had been speaking about the concert on Twitter for weeks prior and I was curious to know what Accra had to offer.

The vibe was nothing short of electric. With a crucible of genres, I hadn’t realized that Accra was so diverse.

Rock fused with electro sounds. Songs from the Sahel softened the crowd whilst Twi rap hyped them up again.

Looney the TKR in central Accra

Through IND!E FUSE I was introduced to artists like Tawiah, Yaa Pono and Lyrical Wanzam.

The country’s most-exciting and dynamic duo M3nsa and Wanlov the Kubolor (aka FOKN Bois) ripped it up as the crowd sang in unison with them. They are the reason I want to learn pidgin. FOKN BOIS return for IND!E FUSE 2013 as one of the headliners.

Meche Korrect on High Street, central Accra

The excitement starts all over again, with a three-day extravaganza and some new faces to add to the mix. This year, IND!E FUSE returns for a fourth year and launches The Labs [Dec 12] and the Sabolai Radio Street Party [Dec 13].

The Street Party is a bass fest on the street with live DJs and music performances. The Labs are a remix on the music conference, presenting a vibrating variety of artists and industry personnel who will share with audiences information on becoming a full-fledged independent musician.

With open recording sessions, Skype seminars, a futurist cinema café and chill networking meetups, The Labs is a one-day bootcamp for musicians who are passionate and committed about taking their craft to the next level.

Drunk Beggar Thief in central Accra

Over the two-day concert [Dec 13 + 14], more than 20 performers will take the stage including Ghana’s very own godfather of rap, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Northern funk doctor King Ayisoba, hip hop producer/rapper Jayso, guitarist and singer Kyekyeku, the acoustic electrician Drunk Beggar Thief and lovable lyricists Rumor and Looney the TKR.

Rumor posts up in central Accra

We can also look forward to R+B soul sensation Meche Korrect, who hails from Washington, D.C. [U.S.], Kumasi rhyme king Kojo-Cue and Shaka Diallo, a traditional funk band who will provide sounds from Burkina Faso. Nigerian Afro-fusion singer Villy will also perform with his band, The Xtreme Volumes, along with Sewor Okudzeto’s A.R.T. [African Relaxation Techniques] and Afro Harmony band.

M3NSA sits a spell in central Accra

It’s events like these that give Accra its edge. Not only are the artists going against the grain but the parties are also kicking with skilled DJs playing tracks from all over the world: Kobby Graham, DJ K3V, Steloo, DJ Keyzzz and Fui Dogg will guide us on a travel through American hip hop and UK dubstep, European electro, tropical bass, kuduro and West African Afrobeat.

With an army of eclectic music-lovers behind it, IND!E FUSE 2013 is taking the West African independent music scene onto the global stage.

Wanlov the Kubolor hangs out in central Accra

INDIE FUSE 2013 is a 3-day event including the following activities:

 The Labs [DEC 12th] 9am – 4pm, Alliance Francaise Exhibition Hall [Free]

This is not your average, boring conference. Learn all you need to know to become a working, independent artist. These pop-up labs will engage artists, industry experts and audiences to openly share information on digital marketing, copyright protection, performance etiquette, music management, international tour networks and much more.

 SABOLAI RADIO Street Party [DEC 13th] 8pm-until, The Republic Bar + Grill [5ghc]

SABOLAI means onion in Ga. Onion is an essential ingredient in Ghanaian cuisine with a sharp flavor that overwhelms the senses. In this light, we’ll join together for a live street party with artists and DJs spinning great jamming music all night long.

IND!E FUSE Day 3 [DEC 14th] 7-11pm, Alliance Francaise Amphitheatre [10ghc]    Doors open at 6:30pm

Last time more than 1000 hardcore music fans came out to this finale! This show brings together emerging and established artists to rip the stage apart.