African musicians billed for Festival International in the US

The world music and French heritage festival, which takes place in the city of Lafayette in Louisiana from 24 to 28 April, will feature 71 artists from 24 countries around the world.

The African artists are Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast), Alsarah & The Nubatones (Sudan), Girma Bèyènè & Akalé Wubé (Ethiopia/France), Mdou Moctar (Niger), Gato Preto (Mozambique/Ghana/Canada) and the Crocodile Gumboot Dancers (South Africa).

Other notable acts include Tank and the Bangas (US), Boukman Eksperyans (Haiti), Söndörgő (Hungary), El Septeto Santiaguero (Cuba), Le Vent Du Nord (Canada), Doctor Nativo (Guatemala) and Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band (US), among others.

"We searched high and low to find a perfect balance of traditional and contemporary sounds, so there is something for everyone this year," the festival’s programming director, Lisa Stafford, said.

"Sudan will be represented at the festival for the first time with Alsarah & The Nubatones. Mozambique-influenced artist Gato Preto will also be making waves. I can't wait to see these groups in person.”

With more than 300 000 festivalgoers and an estimated economic impact of $49m a year, the festival strives to bring French-speaking musicians to southern Louisiana to share their diverse cultures. Apart from the music programme, the five-day festival will host workshops, exhibits, installations and theatre performances.

The festival also runs a networking event called the Louisiana International Music Exchange – a free platform that connects musicians with prominent music presenters and talent buyers from around the world.

See the full programme here.