Festival: past festivals

Since it began in 2004 Lake of Stars has had some incredible moments. Things kicked off with Andy Cato from Groove Armada flying in on the tiny Chintheche airstrip to headline. It had taken him almost three days to reach us due to flight cancellations but he stuck with it and played a brilliant set. From the Malawi side we had a legendary performance from Wambali Mkandawire on the Saturday night not to mention sets from Malawi ’s reggae superstars the Black Missionaries and Power FM’s DJ Kimble.

Other highlights from past years include sets from Noisettes, Oliver Mtukudzi, The Maccabees, Felix B (Basement Jaxx), Annie Mac, Rodney P & Skitz and DJ Yoda , South Africa ’s Goldfish and Blue African Skies, plus some of Malawi ’s biggest stars: Lucius Banda, Joseph Tembo, Tiwonge & Bafipa, Makambale Brothers and many, many more.

The festival has suffered from a freak rain storm (in the middle of the dry season!) in 2005 and a delayed mixing desk almost upset running times in 2007, but each time the LOS team has pulled together to make it work. The event has grown considerably in size each year and is now one of the leading festivals on the African continent. Lake of Stars has donated funds to UNICEF, Build Malawi and Malawi Health Care Support and is now in aid of the Microloan Foundation. As well as this it is estimated that the event generates over £100, 000 for the Malawian economy each year..

2010

2009

To everyone that made this years festival possible, thank you!
Get in touch and let us know what you thought, send us links to your pictures and videos.

2008

Black Missionaries

Seth Lakeman - myspace.com/sethlakeman

Oskido - myspace.com/oskido 

Tiwonge and Bifipa

Mary Anne Hobbs (BBC Radio 1) - myspace.com/maryannehobbs

Joseph Tembo

Tay Grin - taygrin.com

Sally Nyundo - myspace.com/sallynyundo

Wendy Harawa

Nick Mulvey - myspace.com/nickmulveymusic

Senga Bay Singers

Makambale Brothers

Scratch Perverts - myspace.com/scratchperverts

Edgar & Davis with Giddes Chalamanda

Ali B (Fabric) - myspace.com/alibuk

Mr Paul - myspace.com/mrpaul77

Body Mind & Soul - myspace.com/bms2008

Ethel K Banda

Neech - myspace.com/neechmusic

Cajus and Dominant 1 - www.myspace.com/cajusblumentopf

Beatlife Samba Band - myspace.com/beatlifeliverpool2008

Skitz - myspace.com/daddyskitz

Young Chilaga & the Black Survivors

Boom Monk Ben - myspace.com/boommonkben

Dominant 1 - myspace.com/donzothe1
&
3rd Eye - myspace.com/thirdeyeafrika

Kormac - myspace.com/djkormac

MC Profit - myspace.com/voiceactivatedproductions

The Pedantics - myspace.com/thepedantics

Buddha - myspace.com/buddha_man 

The Very Best Of - myspace.com/theverybestmyspace

Bodytonic DJs - bodytonicmusic.com

Billy Kaunda
Bwana Makubwa
Guyninja & The Shooting Stars
DJ Chief
Str8 Necklin DJs
Wildcat 745
Full Phat
DJ Antichris and Xenen
Urban Gorrilla DJs
DJ Exel
Scott (Stylus)
Okeeba Jubalo
Pierre Brewer
Artcha
Steph Holland (Out of the Gloom)
Johnny Pluse
Audiodroid
Lucky Strike (Veri Lo Records)
Adam Scrimshire
Jon Rokka (Kingpin)
Gecko (Kingpin)
Kraymon (Kingpin)

- --

Photos by
Alexander JE Bradley - bonaccord.com.au
Chloé Billebault - chloebillebault.com

2008 Review

Lake of Stars 2008 was our most successful festival yet and an incredible three days. Over 3000 people flocked to Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Senga Bay to watch an exciting line up of artists from around the world. Giant rocks provided a dramatic backdrop to the stage, golden sand spanned the whole site and of course the ever-present lake provided welcome relief from the heat! 

 

Highlights included British folk supremo Seth Lakeman finishing his set as the lakeshore wind whipped the stage covering into a frenzy; Malawian legend Giddi Chalamanda making a surprise guest appearance with Edgar and Davies to the delight of the Malawian contingent; UK DJs Skitz, Ali B, Mary Anne Hobbs and The Scratch Perverts playing amazing headline sets and superb home-grown Malawian hip hop courtesy of Dominant 1 & Third Eye and Channel O award nominated Tay Grin. 

 

Away from the Main Stage people danced on the sand at The Lucky Bean Bar, sampled the delights of the food stalls and curio sellers and checked out impromptu circus performances and jamming sessions.  Others simply chilled out and soaked up the atmosphere on the shores of Lake Malawi, deep in the warm heart of Africa. 

 

All in all, a great year for the festival – make sure you’re there next time...

Check out the pictures of the 2008 line up here..

Festval 2008 Archive

LATEST: Pictures from day one of the Festival.

LATEST: Who is on when? Read the full three day schedule here

LATEST: How to get here, where to get cash: READ THE FAQs here

LATEST: Blogged, Transport update 5 October

LATEST: Shuttle bus timetable published

'Lake of Stars was without doubt one of the most memorable shows I've ever played. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone up for an adventure and a laugh' DJ Yoda

'I was born a little hippy kid running naked at festivals so I've seen a few, but the Lake of Stars is far and beyond the most beautiful setting for a party as well as the wickedest mixture of people and music I've ever seen.... blaaaoooowww!!'
- Skitz, BBC Radio 1/1Xtra