Friday 23 September 2011

Over 70 acts lined up for the Lake of Stars

Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi’s annual international arts festival, has lined up over 70 acts including the very best of Malawian music as well as African legends Freshlyground and the award winning UK act Foals.


The festival takes place from 30 September to 2 October on the palm fringed shores of Lake Malawi. The line-up cements Lake of Stars’ reputation as a truly global, naturally Malawian event with dozens of Malawian acts being joined by talent from across Africa and beyond, including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, France and the USA.

Festival founder Will Jameson said, “It’s hard to imagine a better festival than last year- our biggest and best to date.  But this year we’re going to be taking our best ever line up of talent, featuring African legends, new international acts and the best of Malawian talent, as well as theatre, spoken word and dance.”

Jameson added: “This year we are really excited to have one of the world’s greatest live acts, Foals, headlining the festival.  Foals are fresh from playing a selection of the world’s most prolific festivals this summer to incendiary reactions, so it’s only natural their next stop should be what Q Magazine has described as the ‘finest festival in the world.

“We’ve also got Freshlyground performing their first ever public Malawian gig.  They have been on Lake of Stars radar for a number of years, so we’re proud to provide a platform for their first ever public performance in Malawi.  Plus we’re privileged to be welcoming back Black Missionaries, living legends of the Malawian music scene who have rocked Lake of Stars whenever they have played.”

“Baio, the bass player of New York band Vampire Weekend will be keeping the crowd going after hours.  Baio’s DJ sets have rocked clubs across the globe from Ibiza to Paris and Sydney to Seoul, but this will be his DJ debut in Africa,” said Jameson

Jameson continued:  “The festival was borne from a desire to raise money for a developing economy, promote Malawi as a top travel destination and expose Malawian artists to international crowds, as well as putting on an amazing event that now forms part of the global festival circuit.

“Last year the festival generated $1,000,000 of local spend with around a third being in foreign currency, over 100 local people were employed and more than 1000 hotel beds were slept in providing a major boost to local families and businesses. Tickets are on sale now, either online, as part of a package, or at various locations in Malawi.”

This year, more is expected as about 4,000 tickets are expected to be sold. Currently, tickets are on sale, either online, as part of a package, or at various locations in Malawi at K11,500 (US$75) for three days.
Failure to buy tickets now means patrons will have to cough more as entry on door will be K14,000 (US$90). Full details on ticketing and travel can be accessed through the Lake of Stars website at www.lakeofstars.org

No comments:

Post a Comment