The third bumper Zakifo Music Festival will light up Durban with a great multi-genre global music line-up on one bill – basically 22 of some of the finest international music-makers from the UK, Jamaica, USA, Belgium, France, Ghana, Niger, Congo, Tanzania, Lesotho and South Africa. The artists all head to Durban’s Blue Lagoon Beach from 26 – 28 May, 2017.
This destination fest takes place on Durban’s promenade, with two stages, a cultural area, food carts and stalls, craft beer bars, local traders and interactive installation art exhibits. The sea breeze and crashing waves will provide the backdrop.
Destination festival circuit
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley (US/ JAM) famous reggae artist and youngest son of reggae musician Bob Marley. had a worldwide hit with the song Welcome to Jamrock
Birdy Nam Nam (Fr) Dj Band, electro music using turntables
Ray Phiri (ZA) SA icon of jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician
Thandiswa Mazwai (ZA) socially-conscious muso who incorporates mbaganga, reggae, trad Xhosa rhythms, kwaito, jazz and funk. Formerly of Bongo Maffin
Petite Noir (ZA) singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer
Baloji (Belguim) Rapper, MC and hip hop artist of Congolese origin, Formerly of the group Starflam
Bombino (NE) Acclaimed Tuareg guitarist and singer-songwriter from Agadez, Niger
Nova Twins (UK) Urban punk, gritty, angry and heavy.
Tiggs Da Author(UK) Hip hop, soul, grime and jazz
Gangs of Ballet (ZA) An eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, electronic and dance.
The Soil (ZA) South African acapella 3-member group, kasi soul
Sax Machine(USA/FR) Hard-Bop, Afro-Beat, Deep Funk and Hip-Hop Psyche
Kommanda Obbs (Lesotho) artist, activist, lyricist, musician. Pioneer of hip hop subgenre called Ts’epe
Jojo Abot (Ghana) Sultry electro soul singer. Electronica, Afrobeat, Jazz, House and reggae.
Lu Dlamini (ZA) Renowned songstress, with a rich musical heritage.
Bongeziwe Mabandla (ZA) SAMA winning Afro-folk musician. Rising star.
Easy Freak (ZA) Beat-infused electro duo incorporating indie, electro, funk and rock
Jobie Clarke (ZA) Classical, jazz, ethno-soul, touch of isicathamiya
And many more coming….
Zakifo, started by Jerome Galabert, Sipho Sithole and Andy Davis, is a member of Igoda – a music festival circuit that includes Sakifo Festival, Azgo Festival, Bassline Africa Day concert, and Bushfire. These festivals have created a festival-goer touring circuit in the Southern African region.
“Sakifo means what is needed in Creole,” says Galabert. “With Zakifo Durban our intention is the same. We want to answer the call of the city’s creative voices; strengthening ties between the cultural communities of the Indian Ocean, from India to Australia to China and of course Reunion, Madagascar and Mauritius. Through our world-class line-up we strive to inspire and create lasting opportunities for collaboration; cross cultural exchanges; economic opportunities and skills development.”
“This partnership with Reunion Islands has been a dream of mine. I have attended a number of music festivals internationally and there was no better choice and fit than Zakifo to bring to South Africa, particularly my home town and province. Zakifo is a destination festival, a people to people encounter and we guarantee you that over the years this festival will become part of travelers’ annual calendar coming from all over the world,” adds Sipho Sithole, partners and founder/owner of Native Rhythms.
What: Zakifo Music Festival
Where: Blue Lagoon Beach, Durban, South Africa
When: 26 – 28 May, 2017
Tickets: R550 full weekend (until 24 April), R700 full weekend (25 April – 25 May), Day passes on sale, door tickets
Book: www.Computicket.co.za
Info: www.zakifo.com
Social media: Instagram: @zakifofest, Twitter: @zakifomusikfest, Facebook: @zakifofest
WS
