Malawi: Major Lazer, Sauti Sol to headline Lake of Stars fest

Other acts billed to perform at the event include British-Ugandan artist Love Ssega, English DJ and broadcaster Gemma Cairney and UK-based Ghanaian rapper Kobi Onyame. They will be joined by local artists Fredokiss, Faith Mussa, Lusubilo Band and Madalitso Band.

The festival will also include activities such as poetry, spoken word, theatre and dance.

“We are thrilled to host Major Lazer Soundsystem and Sauti Sol in Malawi for this year’s festival,” Lake of Stars director Will Jameson said. “Both acts will deliver amazing and energetic performances in our beautiful new setting right on the shores of Lake Malawi.

"Tickets and festival accommodation are selling out fast, and with this new addition to the line-up, I’m sure it will be our best celebration of music and culture to date.”

Comprising record producer Diplo and DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, Major Lazer are expected to play music from their albums Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do, Free the Universe and Peace Is the Mission. The group, which has worked with artists such as Pharrell Williams and Sean Paul, is known for its unique fusion of reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, soca, house and moombahton.

Their latest single ‘Let Me Live’, a collaboration with Rudimental featuring Anne-Marie and Mr Eazi, is an energetic dancehall-influenced song with accompanying music video that was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Major Lazer's headline set at Lake of Stars Festival is part of a wider African tour with performances in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.

Formed in Nairobi in 2005 by vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi, Sauti Sol is one of Africa’s most talked about groups whose music blends warm resonant pop with traditional Kenyan influences. The band's music has attracted critical acclaim across the continent. Sauti Sol was crowned Best African Group at the AFRIMA Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Soundcity MTV Awards and the UK’s BEFFTA Awards.

About Lake of Stars

The Lake of Stars project has promoted cultural tourism and Malawi’s creative industries for 15 years and has been recognised by the Malawian government for the crucial part that it plays in the country’s culture and tourism spheres. Lake of Stars has supported other arts projects in the country including the Malawi Musician’s Union Awards, Tumaini Festival, Likoma Fest, Blantyre Arts Festival and the Ndife Amodzi concerts.

Previous festival headliners include Mafikizolo, Freshlyground, Young Fathers, Uhuru, Toya Delazy, Foals, Beverley Knight, Maccabees and Oliver Mtukudzi as well as leading Malawian artists.

Lake of Stars tickets are available via Plankton, while international tickets (excluding Africa) are available via Eventbrite.

For more information, visit the Lake of Stars official website.