Kenya: Kilele unveils 2025 programme

Building a reputation as a melting pot of adventurous music and culture, Kilele seeks to push the boundaries of technology, innovation, and experimentation, blending folkloric traditions with futuristic visions.

Produced by Santuri East Africa, the 2025 edition welcomes artists and participants from 19 countries. It will delve into thematic areas such as Music and Ecology, Decolonising Instrument Design, and building communities through sound and music culture.

Attendees can expect a diverse line-up of workshops, panels, talks, installations, showcases, parties, screenings, and more. Confirmed performers and speakers include Afrique Like Me (Canada), Auntie Flo + Band (UK/Senegal/Kenya), Ngomani (Kenya/Norway), Nilotika Cultural Ensemble (Uganda), SnSe & Rafiiki (Kenya), Mizizi Ensemble (Kenya/Australia/Norway), Nwao (Nigeria/US), Freekafrolic (Kenya), Hasira Hasara (Kenya), Astrid Bin (UK), Sammy Karugu & Basile Huguenin-Virchaux (Kenya/Switzerland), Odd Okoddo (Kenya/Germany), Barno (Kenya/UK), Daniel Jones (UK), Sophia Mitiku (Ethiopia/South Korea/Finland), Nana & Zai (Tanzania), DJ Raph (Kenya), Mina (UK), Jane Arnison (Australia), Joshua Madalitso Chiundiza (Zimbabwe), Sisonke Papu (South Africa), Labdi (Kenya), Mashariki Vibes (Kenya), Muha (Mozambique) and Christos Michalakos (Greece).

Kilele Instrument Makers Lab

The programme will feature a five-day Instrument Makers Lab workshop where creators of traditional instruments, such as kalimbas, nyatitis, and xylophones, will collaborate with programmers, coders, and representatives from global music technology partners like Ableton and Elektron. The results will be showcased during the summit, offering a glimpse into the future of instrument-making in the region.

Kilele will again welcome international music technology firms to showcase their products, learn from local creators, and develop new partnerships. These include Image Line, Ableton, ADAM Audio, Novation/Focusrite, Elektron, and Orchestral Tools. The organisers have also announced a partnership with Africa Rising Music Conference/Paradise Worldwide and AlphaTheta (formerly Pioneer DJ). This partnership will feature free DJ workshops and panel discussions on independent labels and artist development services.

Tickets for Kilele 2025 are available here. Read more about Kilele here.