https://www.shesaid.so/true-music-fund-application-page
GUSHER* is an artist led creative entity based in Johannesburg/Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2020 by Lunath Kondlo; GUSHER* is made up of various creative projects through a network of independent artists.
GUSHER* started as an open submission platform on Instagram, Soundcloud and Youtube, where artists and audiences would submit: images, music, videos, films, artworks, writing pieces, etc. which would then be published on the appropriate platform, which fostered community amongst young artists in South Africa and beyond, forming a diverse community of artists, musicians filmmakers and writers.
GUSHER* has since evolved into a record label, online magazine, film production studio & alternative education platform led by Mike Ngudle and Lunathi Kondlo, with recent projects featuring a contribution to the Search Festival in 2023 in the form of an original short film (REFILL, 2023) premiere and independent film screenings from a variety of filmmakers as well as a public drawing installation in collaboration with the art collective ‘SNIFF’ and more recently, A fund-raising compilation album titled PIERCING THE SILENCE in 2024 featuring artists such as Desire Marea, Sonder the Africanime and more, raising funds for humanitarian aid in countries such as Palestine, Congo & Sudan.
I’m a post-disciplinary artist, professionally working as a freelance multimedia designer and filmmaker. Since joining GUSHER in 2021 as a web and graphic designer, I’ve expanded into curating and managing a range of projects, from events and compilation albums to film screenings and short film productions, leading various teams to bring these projects to life.
The Third Place Festival is a large-scale event dedicated to alternative and independent music in South Africa. While alternative scenes like indie rock, shoegaze, alternative hip-hop, contemporary jazz, and experimental electronic music are present and active, they remain fragmented and undefined, with few opportunities for crossover or shared audiences. This festival provides a unified space where these artists and communities can connect, perform, and grow together. Hosted at the JSE Building, the venue offers the ideal setting—a central location with the infrastructure to support high-quality sound, stage, lighting, and production setups.
This is more than just a music festival. It will include live performances, DJ sets, film screenings, workshops, and artist talks, creating a space where artists can showcase their work in a professional setting while audiences can engage with the music beyond just watching performances. A strong focus will be placed on high-quality production, immersive staging, and professional documentation, ensuring that the festival is not only an experience but a record of South Africa’s alternative music movements.
A key priority is financial sustainability for artists and organizers. Many independent musicians and DJs in South Africa are underpaid or perform for free, and DIY venues struggle to stay afloat. This festival will ensure fair compensation for performers, stage crews, and all involved, setting a new precedent for valuing independent music. A portion of the budget will also go toward livestreaming and archiving performances, extending the festival’s impact beyond the event itself.
The Third Place Festival will be the first of its kind on the continent, creating a long-term framework for alternative music in South Africa. With proper funding, we can move beyond small, scattered DIY events and build a lasting platform that connects and supports alternative artists and audiences. By supporting this project, the True Music Fund would be helping to create an event that fills a major gap in the local music scene and sets a foundation for future growth.
This festival is more than just a series of performances—it’s the creation of a third space for South Africa’s alternative music communities. A space that is neither purely commercial nor underground, but a meeting point where diverse alternative sounds can converge, thrive, and be experienced on their own terms.
While these scenes—ranging from indie rock and shoegaze to electronic music, alternative hip-hop, and contemporary jazz—are active, they often remain fragmented, existing in isolated pockets without a unifying structure. This festival is designed to bridge these gaps, offering a platform that fosters collaboration and shared audience experiences. Through curated programming, immersive staging, and a dynamic mix of live performances, workshops, and film screenings, we are shaping a new cultural ecosystem that ensures alternative music is more visible, sustainable, and accessible to both artists and audiences.
With this funding, we can move beyond momentary, scattered performances and build a long-term framework that defines and supports these movements. The budget breakdown below reflects the structural and creative investments required to make this vision a reality.