So the time has come to tempt your musical taste buds and whet your appetite to keep you going through those last few days of work before you start your journey to what the Times kindly called this week ‘the best winter sun music festival’ with ‘the most idyllic location of any festival anywhere in the world’. The line-up for this year’s vinspired Lake of Stars Festival is bursting at the seams with the cross-genre, cultural juxtaposition of acts that makes the festival what it is.
We won’t tell you about everyone who’s playing, as we want to surprise you when you’re dancing with us under the sun, or the stars, but here’s a brief introduction to an incredibly diverse pick of a couple of our favourites from our headliners and less known acts.
The Maccabees.....well, enough said really. A huge band who is at the top of the indie scene with a fantastic second album released earlier this year and an excellent video of a strangely endearing man who chases cheese down a hill as a competitive sport. We love them, and we know you will too...... check the aforementioned video here - www.themaccabees.co.uk
SWAY – A man who won a MOBO before he was signed, beating competition like 50 Cent, is one to be reckoned with. Having worked with Dizzee Rascal, The Streets, Chamilionaire, Lupe Fiasco and more recently with US heavyweight Akon, the Lake of Stars is proud to present one of the rising stars of the hip-hop scene. Check out material from his album which was awarded as named as a Mercury Music Prize’s ‘Album of the Year’ here - www.sway.uk.com
The Very Best – We’ve had them play before, and are so excited to present Radioclit’s blossoming project – The Very Best. A fusion of electronic and African music which is the perfect representation of vinspired Lake of Stars – the best of both worlds to make you smile, dance and celebrate being together. Fronted by Malawian vocalist Esau Mwamwaya, we’ve nabbed these guys before they go to spread their incredible sound across the U.S – listen here - www.myspace.com/theverybestmyspace
Joyful Souls - Joyful Souls was started in 1995, by Rodgers Mpinganjira alongside two fellow church-goers. Over the last 14 years they have developed into a skilled accapella group fusing 6 part harmonies and vocal percussion reminiscent of Take 6 and their performance will be a truly uplifting experience against the backdrop of Lake Malawi. Listen here – I love ‘Wakugomenzga’..... http://www.myspace.com/joyfulsouls
CantMixWontMixShdntMixDontMix – If it’s sheer, unadulterated fun-mongering you’re after, then don’t miss this collective’s set at our beautiful Beach Bar. Expect a world where Enya and Prodigy collide, where hip-hop hits disco divas, where your classics are smashed into mash-ups of the finest pedigree - in fact, expect nothing but the unexpected. Festival dons and all round musical maestros to be found at www.mixnot.net
The Black Missionaries – Stalwarts of the festival from the beginning, always bringing the finest reggae to skank in the sand to. Malawian musical royalty, and essential listening for the first-time visitor to the country. Get your toes twitching with downloads from here - www.malawianmp3.com
Young Chilanga and The Black Survivors – (Pictured above) This act are a 13 member band demonstrating traditional Malawian music at its most refined. Key in the festival’s programming with our aims to present a spectrum of new, old, traditional and up-and-coming artists, they will remind you of where you are, and what music has echoed around the lake for centuries. I can’t provide you with a link sadly, like many of our less-known artists, the music-sharing resource of the internet isn’t a core part of their world just yet but this is my recommendation to watch them and celebrate Malawian music’s history.
SOMETHING TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY TO!
We love to dance and hosting the best international DJing talent has been the foundations of the Lake of Stars since the beginning. We have so many phenomenal DJs coming, that I want to talk about them all, but shouldn’t really (we could be here a while!). However, to point you in the direction of certain acts for all you fanatical glitch heads, breaks boys and techno-lovers here is a tiny cross-section of what we have to offer:
Joe Goddard – The brains behind Hot Chip with awesome new material coming out soon, he’s flying all the way over to play for us for one night only...... myspace.com/hotchip
Nihal – Representing Radio 1 and bringing the sound of the Bombay Bronx to our Main Stage - myspace.com/bombaybronx
Six AM – Scratching, dub step, glitch filth. Dirty but really quite smashing. www.myspace.com/sixamofficial
Ross Allen – A&R for Domino Records with a show on Ministry of Sound Radio – he has a vinyl collection you will appreciate over and over again - http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/artist/RossAllen
Daladala Soundz – Go to his myspace, download his mix and get ready for the best of African dance.... www.myspace.com/daladalasoundz
Tayo – Flying over from playing MTV Africa comes the lover of tracksuits, afro-infused breakbeat, dub and fun - myspace.com/djtayo3000
Jazzbo – Eclectic selections from an incredible talent. Beware of the bass...... www.myspace.com/jazzbo32
Audiofarm DJs – Bringing the beats to the beach, expect minimal, techno, and the best of the rest www.audiofarm.co.uk
DJ Drew – Local Power 101 FM DJ and Malawian DJ rising star.......... http://www.malawianmp3.com/dj-drew/cat_30.html
Ooooooh. So much more fantastic music awaits you......14 days at time of writing and counting......
See you on the Lakeshore!
X
Eddie FitzPatrick (vinspired volunteer, Senior Project Co-ordinator and Assnt Production Manager)
