Performing on the intimate beach stage, Noisette’s frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa wowed the crowd getting up, close and personal with festival-goers. However it was their collaboration with the next generation of Malawian artists that moved the audience.
Festival Founder Will Jameson says that this year’s festival saw a record number of artist collaborations including traditional Malawian musicians (showcased by the Clay Diamond Project) performing alongside UK indie act Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly on the main stage.
“Noisettes also invited international headliners Zimbabwean-born Tinashé and UK-Nigerian Afrikan Boy to the main stage during their incredible Saturday night set, creating some of the festival’s most memorable moments,” says Jameson.
This year’s festival featured the best line-up yet, with more than 50 Malawian acts and over 20 artists from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Australia, Burundi and the UK, giving the 3000-strong audience a weekend of foot-stomping, soul-cleansing entertainment.
“There were so many great moments, however one of the weekend’s highlights was Oliver Mtukudzi’s performance on Friday night. Widely regarded as one of the most important performers in Africa’s history, Mtukudzi gave a lively performance introducing a new generation of people to his music,” says Jameson.
Festival Coordinator Kimba Mutanda adds that a strong contingent of Malawian acts featured at this year’s event showcasing the depth of talent in Malawian arts and culture. Headliners included Peter Mawanga, Sally Nyundo, Lawrence Mbenjere, Agorosso, Mafilika and Dan Lu.
“Some highlights for me were the Burundi Drummers who gave festival-goers a flavour of their traditional music. We were also fortunate to have a spectacular flying visit from the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dr Ken Lipenga, who parachuted onto the beach to officially open the festival,” says Mutanda.
Festival Director Tom Porter says that this year we are particularly proud of the engagement and support from the local community of Chipoka and Mangochi, who participated in many of the activities which took place around the festival.
“In Chipoka we hosted a football and netball competition, hearing clinic (sponsored by Access Communications) and visits to the MOET School for Orphans. The importance of the festival was recognised by it being chosen for an exclusive preview screening of major new film, Africa United, which was shown on Sunday night.
“Last year we reached more than 24 million people through international media coverage, this year we expect to beat that with CNN, BBC, Marie Claire, Company and the UK Guardian and Independent newspapers all covering the festival.
“We were also fortunate to have strong representation from the local media as well as facilitating Monkey Bay-based Dzimwe Community Radio’s live broadcast from the festival. We thank our all of our colleagues in the media for their continuing support of the festival,” says Porter.
In its seventh year, the vinspired Lake of Stars Festival project relied on more than 300 Malawian and UK staff, volunteers and supporters who have given their time and services - for a reduced fee or, in many cases, for free.
We would like to thank all of our partners in Malawi and the UK including vinspired, Kenya Airways, Access, Gecko Lounge, Wickerman Festival, DHL, Funktion1, Audile, Studiocare, Skyband, Barlow World, Wellspring, Alternative Marketing, Capital Radio, Daily Times, Mabuya Camp, French Cultural Centre, STS, Comic Relief, Pathe International, British Council (The Selector Show), Brentwood, Wilderness Safaris, Puma, The Book Bus, Sunbird, The Ministry of Tourism, Zain, STA Travel, The Big Issue, UK Malawi Association, Malawi Tourism Marketing Consortium, Dzimwe Community Radio, Art Moves Africa, Beatnik PR, Tandem PR, Audiofarm, Globe Jam, Mercy Design, Music Crossroads and many more.
For more images, visit http://www.lakeofstars.org/los-photographers.html. Photography by Steve McInerny, Sam Colman and Regina Teichs.
