The three-day extravaganza will operate under the ‘Tanzania Prestige’ theme at the Mwanakalenge grounds in Bagamoyo.
After a long wait the second edition of the Karibu Music Festival 2015 kicks off today with a promise of a star cast of artistes both local and foreign.
The three-day extravaganza will operate under the ‘Tanzania Prestige’ theme at the Mwanakalenge grounds in Bagamoyo.
Top on the list of performances include Congolese star Papa Wemba who is set to perform with over 30 artistes/groups gracing the stage.
Papa Wemba is considered by many of his fans as a living rhumba legend whose career started in the 1960s.
His music mixes energetic African rhythms, international beats and heart-stopping vocals: the results can be heard in tracks such as Rail on, Bravo Cathy, Yolele, Maria Valencia, Show Me The Way and many other international hits.
He has collaborated with artistes such as Peter Gabriel and other African greats such as Koffi Olomide.
To this date Wemba continues to create music, seeking new collaborations, continuing to tour the world for performances.
The line up of local artists include Jhikoman and his Afrikabisa Band, Weusi, Juma Nature, Kadjanito and the Band, Isha Mashauzi, Tongwa Ensemble, Cheetah Theatre, Junior and Mankind, Bongo Beats, Duu Top,John Kitime and Anania. others are Cocodo Band, Misoji Nkwambi, Ze Spirit band, Damian Soul, Msafiri Zawose, Sauti band, HardMad and Jagwa Music.
Thiose from outside Tanzania are Sarabi Band and H-Art The Band from Kenya, Cie ArtDIC from Togo, Brina from Jamaica, Brian Mugenyi from Uganda, Bo from South Africa, Yuzzo & Frontline Band from Norway and David Vee from Pakistan.
The festival will focus on different genres of music, based on its influence and popularity, from African music to world music, namely Pop, Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, Jazz, Country, Electronic and other alternative music.
Driven with the objective of nurturing and promoting African music and culture to the world, collaboration opportunities among all participants is expected to gather between 15,000 and 24,000 people.
This is expected to beat last year’s record where an average of 4,000 revellers attended the festival daily bringing the number to 12,000 .
Just like other festivals such as Sauti Za Busara, all artistes who will perform at the Karibu Music festival have been chosen on the ability to perform live.
Speaking to The Beat Ernest Biseko, the festival’s representative said that apart from the live performances by the artistes, the festival provides an opportunity for the musicians, artistes and other stakeholders to participate in art and music workshops, training and forums.
According to Biseko, the festival aims at giving audiences the opportunity to experience a new vibe and taste through live performances.
“At Karibu Music Festival we aim at creating a unique East African festivals that not only entertain but also contribute to the long-term development of the economy and communities where it is held,” said Biseko.
As part of the proceedings the opening of the festival will be marked by carnival around Bagamoyo town with the aim of creating awareness about the festival among local residents.
“The carnival will be comprised of artistes both local and international scheduled to perform at the festival and local community participants, as well as the general public,” says Amarido Charles, the festival’s CEO.
To make it an all inclusive event, organisers have made provisions for children to attend and a shopping opportunity at the crafts village plus the Kiddie Zone.
“Here, craftsmen and community groups can display their merchandise with the aim of exposing their talent beyond their neighbourhood, as well as an opportunity for a family outing which encourages revellers to bring their children along,” says Amarido.
However, as organisers put last touches to the finishing, the question that is paramount is, whose festival is this?
To avoid falling in that trap festival organisers say they have made the entrance fees affordable to almost everyone who would like to attend.
“The fees are Sh7,500 for adults and Sh 2,500 for children, whereas VIP seats will cost a minimum of Sh30,000,” says Amarido.
Attu Mynah, the Innovations manager from Tanzania Brewers Limited , says that TBL supports efforts to promote culture and called upon people to drink responsibly and reminded that it is strictly prohibited to sell alcohol to people under the age of 18 years old.
The festival will also include the opening ceremony for proposed workshops and the launch of the Karibu Art Canter as well as training on branding and managing artistic work and how to deal with copyright issues.
“We believe the training will be of great importance especially to the up and coming artistes who are new in the industry as well as arts students from the College of Arts and Culture in Bagamoyo,” says Said.
He says that, they have involved art students in the workshops as a way of sharing useful tips that will help them grow in their career before they even complete their studies.
“These are held with the purpose of exchanging experiences and allowing local and international musicians to influence each other. The training from professional experts will basically help musicians learn new ideas, gain experience and acquire new contacts,” says Said.
He adds: The opportunity will give students a platform to mingle with both local and international artistes and to learn how they rose to their levels. At some point it will be a sort of inspiration workshop.
The festival will involve various engagements in designated zones around the venue like live graffiti art, comedy zone, African movies and live sculpting zone.
This year’s edition has been sponsored by Jebel Coconut, Legendary Music, K.I, Swiss Embassy, Precision Air, Coca-Cola, Green Park Village Residence, Nafasi Art Space, Advertising Dar, Tanzania Printers, Mwananchi Communications Ltd, Kaya Fm, Magic FM.
