Madalitso Band + Liz Ikamba

Madalitso Band

Madalitso band are a two man musical army from Malawi. Described as 'Uplifting and Vibrant' by the BBC, they get crowds beaming with wonder and on their feet dancing every time.

Their first album was produced by Bongo Joe records and the band has already performed at Womex 2020, Womad 2019, Roskilde 2018, Sauti Za Busara 2017...to name just a few. They were discovered busking outside a shopping centre in 2009. Their vibrant playing, strong vocals and traditional style caught the attention of Emanuel Kamwenje who recorded their first album the same year. 

The band plays the babatone - a home-made instrument popular in Malawi - and the four-string guitar, creating the traditional Malawi 'banjo' sound. When not playing or touring, babatone player Yobu Malinga works as a gardener and guitarist Yosefe Kalekeni works as a security guard, however around Malawi they are increasingly revered as musical prophets.

Liz Ikamba

Brighton-based singer and multi-instrumentalist Liz Ikamba cross-pollinates musical and cultural influences to create her own brand of Afro-soul-folk. Fusing inspiration from styles including Congo village roots, jazz, reggae and hip hop, her songs speak from her experience as a woman of dual Congolese (DRC) and British heritage living in the UK.

Soul-infused harmonies, loop pedal improvisations, groove-driven riffs and beats are blended to create an intimate kind of folk music with hooks in both English and Lingala.