

MUSIC EXCHANGE WORKSHOP
Martin Myers
Martin Myers, a University of Cape Town alumnus, and the visionary behind the NPC Music Exchange, kicked off his music industry journey by managing UCT Radio in 1985. Initially, en route to the corporate realm post-graduation, the magnetic allure of the music business diverted him unexpectedly.
Martin’s pivotal moment arose when he orchestrated a gig for the iconic Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse at UCT in 1985, marking the inception of their enduring personal and professional alliance. Over the past 35 years, they have collaborated on numerous ventures, notably the 46664 Mandela Day concert in New York in July 2009 and shows at the Baxter Theatre and Soweto Theatre. Celebrating Sipho’s 70th birthday, he graced the cover of GQ South Africa’s Dec Jan 2021/2022 issue.
For 16 years, Martin served as BMG/Sony Music’s publicist in Cape Town, liaising closely with both local and international talents, such as Vusi Mahlasela, BLK Sonshine, Shayne Ward, Just Jinger, SSQ, and John Legend, among a myriad of others.
In addition to his endeavors in the music industry, Martin was a pivotal figure in SMD Technical, which he helped cultivate over a span of 15 years. He also co-founded Crew U and played a key role in SMD’s journey, enhancing events and gatherings across the Western Cape with an infusion of elegance and allure. This included iconic events like Sol Kerzner’s New Year’s Eve parties, DJ sets for Elton John, and numerous weddings and corporate gatherings. Martin also curated music for esteemed fashion shows, such as The Good Hope Designer Collections, the Nederburg Fashion Show, the Smirnoff International, the J&B Met Best-Dressed Couple, and proudly contributed to Miss Namibia for over 21 years.
In 2009, Martin established Music Exchange (#MEX), a non-profit entity dedicated to orchestrating an annual music conference and monthly masterclasses. The objective was to empower individuals within the music industry, particularly budding artists, by imparting the essential knowledge to transform their passion into a sustainable profession. Music Exchange, hailed as South Africa’s premier independent music conference, has experienced significant growth, now featuring regular workshops throughout the year with prominent figures from the global music scene