ACCES 2026: How to Enter the Artist Spotlight Before October 16

Emerging musicians have until 16 October 2026 to enter the ACCES Emerging Artist Spotlight Competition, an opportunity to put an original song before radio professionals and receive practical feedback.

The submission begins with one track. The important commitment comes afterwards: applicants must be registered for ACCES and able to attend the conference in Johannesburg on 29 and 30 October. Attendance is part of the entry requirements.

For an artist trying to understand why a song does or does not attract radio interest, feedback can be useful long after a competition ends. It can help turn a vague ambition—“I want more people to hear my music”—into specific questions about the work and how it is presented.

Shortlisted entries will receive live feedback from professionals associated with Kaya FM, VOW 88.1, Ukhozi FM and StaFM. One winner will receive a Music In Africa promotional package valued at R35,000, covering studio time, a promotional video, press support and assistance with potential radio playlisting. The opportunity to receive feedback should be kept separate from any expectation of guaranteed airplay.

The entry requirements are straightforward:

1. Choose one original song. Any genre is accepted.

2. Prepare an MP3 file smaller than 10 MB.

3. Register for ACCES 2026 and confirm that you can attend both conference days.

4. Submit through the organiser’s official form by 16 October 2026.

A sensible approach is to choose a track that represents the artist you want listeners to remember. Listen to the exact exported file before sending it. Confirm that it opens correctly, check the file size and have your contact details ready. These are simple preparation steps that help prevent an avoidable technical problem from standing between the music and its listeners.

The competition forms part of a wider event. ACCES runs in Johannesburg from 28 to 31 October, with the main conference on 29 and 30 October at The Forum, The Campus, in Bryanston. Conference attendance is free, with registration offered on a first-come basis.

The programme covers practical questions about international careers, music rights, revenue, touring and independent businesses. Separate Industry Nights bring live performances to venues around the city, with the announced line-up including Sun-El Musician, Blick Bassy and The Joy. Tickets for those nights are handled separately from conference registration.

That gives attending artists a reason to look beyond the competition result. A useful visit could include preparing questions for speakers, identifying relevant sessions and introducing their work to potential collaborators.

With the deadline approaching, check the attendance requirement first. Then choose the song and complete the official submission. The opportunity is most useful when an artist arrives ready to listen as carefully as they want others to listen to them.

Official links: Competition rules and submission form · Full programme announcement