Kenya's Orchestra Les Mangelepa goes on European tour

The veteran rumba band is made up of Kabila 'Evany' Kabanze, Lutulu Kanicky Macky, Kalenga Nzaazi Vivi, Ricky Nanjero and John Were.

Singer and bandleader Evany told Music In Africa that their first two performances would take place in Switzerland and the band is specifically looking forward to playing at Bad Bonn Kilbi Festival, an annual three day open-air event in the city of Düdingen.

“We cannot wait to experience the audience at the festival,” he said. “We have a tight back-up of instrumentalists so we will be sure to make the international audience dance to East African music. Our album Last Band Standing, which we launched last year, will also be on sale.”

The band will also tour the city of Basel before heading to Germany where it will perform in three cities. The band will then travel to Sweden, Poland and France.  

Evany said the band would also make its MTN Nyege Nyege festival debut in Uganda this September.

“We are excited to return to Uganda after many years,” he said. “Myself, Vivi and Macky are the last original members of the band and it's been more than 20 years since we last visited the country. So we are honoured to have been selected to represent Kenya at this event. We look forward to interacting with musicians from all over the world.”

Orchestra Les Mangelepa European tour dates:

02.06. Düdingen, Bad Bonn Kilbi festival
03.06. Basel, Kaschemme
05.06. Augsburg, Grandhotel Cosmopolis
06.06. Viechtach, Altes Spital 
07.06. Berlin, Arkaoda
09.06. Göteborg, Clandestino Festival
10.06. Bottna, Clandestino Festival 
13.06. Gdansk, Shakespeare Theatre 
15.06. Katowice, City of Gardens
16.06. Paris, La Petite Halle
17.06. Toulouse, Rio Loco Festival