(Sofia-Mauro)
The fifth annual Zakifo Music Festival
lands on Durban’s shores over two consecutive weekends from May 24 until June 1,
2019, with a series of intimate pop-up bespoke concerts in venues around
Durban.
Zakifo offers a wide-ranging line-up of
cutting-edge musicians from across the African continent and beyond. To keep
Zakifo fresh, contemporary and relevant, the festival format is refreshed every
year in response to the evolving audience and concert trends and to introduce
new and unusual venues to Durban music lovers.
This year the festival will occupy some of
the city’s most happening venues: Durban Botanic Gardens, The Werehouse, The
historic Winston Hotel, with workshops and industry events taking place during
the week at Curiocity Hotel in the CBD.
Zakifo aspires to strengthen ties between
the cultural communities of the Indian Ocean through its sister festival,
Sakifo, held each year in Réunion. Zakifo, founded by Jerome Galabert, Sipho
Sithole and Andy Davis, is a member of the Igoda music festival circuit which
includes Sakifo Festival in Réunion, Azgo Festival in Mozambique, Bassline
Africa Day concert in Johannesburg, and Bushfire Festival in Swaziland. These
festivals happen over a period of three weeks in May and June and have created
an artist and festivalgoer touring circuit in the Southern African region.
“Sakifo means ‘what is needed’ in Creole,”
says Galabert. “With Zakifo Durban our intention is the same. Through our
world-class line-up we strive to inspire and create lasting opportunities for
collaboration; cross-cultural exchanges; economic opportunities and skills
development.”
Weekend one (May 24, 25, 26): The festival
will make use of four of Durban’s more prolific venues for three nights.
Friday May 24 at the Winston Hotel, will
see a festival stage outdoors along with the Winston pub and Origin’s Engine
Room. With Artists Meute (Germany), Puts Marie (Switzerland) Dobet Gnahoré
(Côte d’Ivoire), Make-Overs (ZA), Sands (Eswatini), Granmah (Mozambique)
Saturday May 25 at The Werehouse has a
line-up of amazing contemporary African female performers Sho Madjozi (ZA), Eme
(Nigeria) & Moonchild (ZA), Dope Saint Jude (ZA) and Sobantwana (ZA)
Sunday May 26 at the Rainbow restaurant has
a small intimate performance by Lindigo (Reunion).
Friday May 31 at Durban Botanic Gardens and
The Werehouse. Lineup TBA
Saturday June 1 at Durban Botanic Gardens
with International artists Ben Harper (USA), Asa (Nigeria//France), Lindigo
(Reunion), Maia & The Big Sky (Kenya) along with the sensational Durban
talent of Red Robyn (ZA).
Grammy-Award winning,
multi-platinum-selling artist Ben Harper
Iconic Nigerian singer/songwriter Aṣa will
stop by Zakifo Festival on her Southern African tour, Aṣa rose to prominence with
the release of her hit song Jailer in
2007
Visit festival platforms www.zakifo.com /
Instagram: @zakifofest / Twitter: @zakifomusikfest / Facebook: @zakifofest for
regular updates
Tickets are available. Booking for early
bird tickets now open: Tickets: www.zakifo.com (through Howler)
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