Malawi: Sauti Sol, Fredokiss to headline Lake of Stars

Other artists who will perform at the event, which is now in its 15th edition, include Frightened Rabbit (Scotland), Michael Pedersen (Scotland), KIM of Diamonds (Malawi), Forus Dance Crew (Malawi), Madalitso Band (Malawi) George Kalukusha (Malawi) and the Tilinanu Orphanage (AHP) Choir.  

The festival organisers said that the full line-up would be announced soon.

The announcement follows the festival's UK edition in March that featured M.anifest (Ghana), Faith Mussa (Malawi), Bongeziwe Mabandla (South Africa), Zathu (Malawi) and Wezi (Zambia).

“We’re delighted to be bringing this world-class act to perform at the Lake of Stars festival,” festival director Will Jameson said about Sauti Sol. “Like many people, I’m a huge fan of Sauti Sol and I can’t think of a better place to enjoy their music than by the stunning shores of Lake Malawi surrounded by friends.

“I first had a taste of how good they were live back in 2013 when we brought them over for our City of Stars event, but since then the band’s career and fan base has gone through the roof, so I feel very privileged that they have agreed to come and help us celebrate 15 years of the Lake of Stars project,” he said.

Malawi telco TNM is once again partnering with Lake of Stars as part of the company’s long-term commitment towards promoting arts and culture through music.

“Music is central to the Malawian culture hence TNM, as a truly Malawian network, is excited to be part of this international cultural event," TNM head of marketing Sobhuza Ngwenya said.

“This is arguably the biggest summer beach festival that attracts huge local and international patronage and as a fun brand, TNM could not resist the temptation to join the party."

Sauti Sol, whose music blends pop with traditional Kenyan influences, will be performing a full live set. The band has attracted huge critical and commercial acclaim across the continent. It was crowned Best African Group at the AFRIMA Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Soundcity MVP Awards and the UK’s BEFFTA Awards. Their song ‘Live and Die in Afrika’ was included in BBC Africa’s Top 10 tracks of 2015.

Fredokiss will be making his debut at the festival and is expected to entertain his local fans with songs such as ‘Aise Ukunama’, 'Basi' and 'Woza'.

Previous Lake of Stars headliners include Mafikizolo, Freshlyground, Young Fathers (Scotland), Uhuru (South Africa), Toya Delazy (South Africa), Foals (UK), Beverley Knight (UK) and Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe).

Regional and international tickets to the event are available via the Plankton and Eventbrite platforms respectively.