Kenya: Beneath the Baobabs Festival unveils artist line-up

Set on 50 acres of baobab forest flanking the Takaungu Creek and 5km from the Indian Ocean, Beneath the Baobabs Festival offers an immersive experience of contemporary and traditional Kenyan culture. The tropical setting is amplified by viewing decks 30 metres above the forest floor, with a plethora of baobab, tamarind and neem trees keeping the grounds shaded.

The 2023/24 Beneath the Baobabs Festival will bring together some of the most respected names in the Kenyan and East African electro and alternative music scene, as well as several international acts who will perform at its four stages.

With over 60 artists lined up, the festival will usher in the New Year with a heavy dose of amapiano, Giriama hip hop, Dholou-fused electro, East African folk-tech, trance-flavoured Mijikenda dance, expertly crafted DJ sets, and more.

International headliners include South Africa’s house legend Culoe de Song, amapiano vocalist Boohle and Afro-tech DJ and vocalist Thandi Draai. Others are Berlin-based dance and electro act Fabian Krooss, as well as UK producers Maribou State & United Freedom Collective and DJ Mina.

On the opening night, the main stage will host Kenyan acts Kaneda, MGM and DJ IV, KÜRÏBÃ, and Dipa Konnection. The second night will see the main stage vibrate to Afro-house and Afro-tech sounds from next-generation DJs shaping the local and international scene, including Kenya’s Lemi & Simila, DJ Tina Ardor, Shangatatu and Big Nyagz as well as Ethiopian Afro-tech queen DRØMMER. The stage will be opened by ODD OKODDO, the Kenyan-German electro-folk duo composed of vocalist Olith Ratego and producer Sven Kacirek.

Tickets to the festival are available here.

Beneath the Baobabs Festival artist line-up:

• Boohle
• Culoe De Song
• Fabian Krooss
• Maribou State b2b United Freedom Collective (DJ SET)
• Mina
• Thandi Draai
• Aahil
• Afu
• Air Conditioner
• Andy Lemay
• Anitraxx
• Authentically Plastic
• Bakhita
• Bad Mon
• BBYY. On The Island
• Bero The Hero
• Big Nyagz
• Blocka Beats
• Budalagi
• Burugu
• Clarkie
• Coco Em
• Daniel Cherney
• Daudi Dubs
• De Galli
• Don Ngatia
• Dipa Konnection
• DJ IV
• Drømmer
• Daudi Dubs
• Elkoi
• Eyerie & Nile Dawta
• Fede
• Ghedi
• HEKA
• Hiribae
• Jay Mitta
• Joey Manzi
• Kaa La Moto
• Kaneda
• Kenyan Shilling
• KNVL
• Kürïbã
• Lasta
• LEMI & Simila Live
• Mau From Nowhere & Lukorito
• Max Melesi
• Midnight Sex Machine
• MGM ft Njeri Wa Babaa
• MR BADO
• Ng’at Maler
• Nyokabi Kariuki
• Now Is Good
• Odd Okoddo
• Razor Man
• Reagan Dandy
• Robin Charles
• Shangatatu
• Shellqueen
• SHI
• Soulfud
• Stefano Cassini
• THII
• Tim Garcia
• Tina Ardor
• TinTin
• Trent
• Tugi Mlamba
• Vallerie Muthoni
• Wangt3ch
• Xan Woods