Lake of Stars kicks off tonight

After a two-year break, the Lake of Stars festival returns on the beautiful shores of Sunbird Nkopola Lodge which promises to be the biggest and best yet.

This weekend, there is going to be a showcase of talents from Malawi, Africa and beyond, across three different stages—main, multi arts and beach where DJs will be providing entertainment.

The lineup features music of all kinds—from traditional to contemporary, acoustic to electronic – plus dance, film, poetry, theatre and comedy.

International headline act Mafikizolo, who will be with a full band arrive on Friday afternoon while rapper Reason, arrived Wednesday together with his wife.

Zambia’s number one hip-hop group Zone Fam yesterday ahead of the festival. Famous in many parts of Africa for the hit, Contolola, the 2013 Channel O award winner for Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring is so set to rock the stage.

Far from home, Scotland’s hip-hop group, Stanley Todd, are among 12 creatives from Europe to be at the festival.

So far, confirmed performances from Malawi include Lulu, Wendy Harawa, Lawi and the highly acclaimed ‘Ma Blacks’.

The four will join an amazing line up of local artists, including Peter Mawanga, Sally Nyundo, Mafilika, Skeffa Chimoto, Agorosso and Piksy, adding on to Malawi’s amazing listing of its biggest and hottest stars.

First time performers like Adrian Kwelepeta, the festival is the right platform for his growth as a new artists.

“I just released my first album and performing at Lake of Stars has just at the right time as I intend to use the platform not only to introduce my album but also promote it,” said the Sunbird Search for a Star 2013 contest.

For the first time since the inception of LoS annual festival, there are exciting additions to this year’s event scheduled.

Apart from the usual core business of the festival which is music, artists will undergo workshops on different topics aimed at sharing experience and enlightening people.

There will be talks and presentations on a wide range of topics including culture and creativity.

Alongside all this entertainment, there will also be food vendors catering to every taste, dedicated children’s activities, an art gallery featuring work from local and international artists and a full outreach programme involving the local communities.

Since the Lake of Stars project began in 2003 nine festivals have been staged on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi.

Many of the biggest names in Malawian music have performed, and guests have enjoyed surprise collaborations from artists around the world.

It is now about more than just the festival though, it has become a year round initiative working to promote arts, travel and development.

“The festival has generated significant revenue and positive media coverage for Malawi.

The project has exposed over 200 million people to Malawi through its media coverage, notably on global networks like BBC, CNN, MTV and online. And there is no doubt that everybody who has visited has fallen in love with the Warm Heart of Africa.

“It has also promoted cultural-tourism and Malawi’s creative industries for 11 years. The Malawi government has recognised the crucial part that tourism can play in the country’s economy.

It is estimated to have generated over USD 3.25 million spend in Malawi. The festival provides a positive story for Malawi and Africa, and its key role in countering prevailing negative media messages about the continent is recognised through Lake of Stars,” organisers say.

The festival has garnered a lot of international attention with CNN rating it as “One of the seven African music festivals you really have to see.”

UK’s The Guardian calls this “the world’s most spectacular music festival” and The Independent describing it as the “Music without barriers”.

As for the fans, the weekend for massive entertainment is here and fun is the keyword.

“I just can’t wait for the festival. I doubt if other countries enjoy such art right next to God’s perfect creation, the lake,” said Rose

Phiri who will be attending lake of stars for the first time.

This year’s festival is being supported by DHL, TNM, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Creative Scotland, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Proflight Zambia and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture.