LAKE OF STARS FESTIVAL
OVERVIEW | HISTORY | ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL INFO
International Malawian Music Festival
Since 2004, autumn in Malawi has seen the Lake of Stars Festival take place on the palm fringed shores of Africa’s third largest lake: Lake Malawi. The festival raises money for charity, promotes Malawian music and provides travelers and Malawians alike the opportunity to enjoy fantastic live music in an exotic and beautiful location. International and African artists share the stage at Chintheche Inn.
So far artists such as Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, Felix B (Basement Jaxx), Yewande (US), the Chibuku DJs, Bugz in the Attic’s Mikey General, Ben Westbeech (Brownswood), Rodney P & Skitz (1Xtra), Annie Mac (Radio 1), Blue African Skies, and Goldfish have all journeyed out to the warm heart of Africa to perform. Joining them have been some of the biggest names in Malawian music – Tikhu Vibrations, Wambali, the Black Missionaries, Lucius Banda and Joseph Tembo to name a few. Performances range from African jazz and gospel groups to beatboxers, circus performers, and DJs.
As well as the festival, Lake of Stars stages events across Europe and Africa to help fund the festival and raise awareness of the event and of Malawi. Additionally, 2008 has seen an overland trip from South Africa to Malawi promoting Lake of Stars as part of the incredible Africa Beetle Marathon!
At Lake of Stars 2008,
Promote Africa will be involved with the festival in several key
capacities. We plan to establish online distribution contracts with a
number of Malawian musicians playing at the festival, providing them with a platform
to sell music through a non-profit medium. Also, our first
international music film, Deep Roots Malawi, will be premiered
at the festival, while our film staff will be present to
produce a festival DVD for the viewing pleasure of all those interested
in Lake of Stars 2008.