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The vinspired Lake of Stars experience was an absolute pleasure: a truly incredible weekend in a truly incredible setting. Nkopola Lodge has to be one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever had the joy of visiting and the festival is undoubtedly the most relaxed and positively enjoyable I’ve attended. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the place – the palm-fringed coastline, sweeping sandy beach and glistening waters were truly breathtaking. Three well-stocked bars, a cracking line-up and a pretty impressive Funktion 1 sound system further ensured the stage was set for a memorable weekend. I was pretty lucky to have accidentally timed my five month voluntary work placement in Malawi to coincide with vLOS. Whilst I was ultimately at the event to have fun and experience my first festival abroad, I’d also set myself the task of writing an article about the event for a local paper back home in Liverpool so it was a bit of a working holiday. Still fantastic though!
For me, the highlight of the weekend’s music was definitely The Maccabees. They played a blinding set and looked so happy to be there. Changing the lyrics of ‘Wall of Arms’ to “They who are my army, Lake of Stars behind me” was a touching way to say thank you. Whilst interviewing the guys the next day, guitarists Felix and Hugo White declared they’d recommend attending or playing the festival to anyone. Evidently moved by the previous night’s reception, lead singer Orlando Weeks admitted that they’d actually been pretty nervous before going on stage: “It was a huge responsibility but the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, we had a great time too.
“The audience were such a long way from home that we knew we had to be at our best.” On their first trip to Africa and only able to stay for four days due to European tour commitments, they were already smitten with the place. They declared they wanted to put their names down for next year’s event the second they came off stage. Felix said: “We absolutely loved it! There’s such a diverse mix of talent we were flattered just to be part of it.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities at vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole, photos by Steve McInerny, Peter Koudstaal and Sophie Epstone
