For 5 consecutive years, Zakifo Musical Festival has put Durban on the map in terms of being a city that caters for a discerning musical palate. The festival which prides itself in quality over quantity has gone for a more boutique approach to the curation of the concept. Which has an air of nomadic sensibility as it utilizes numerous venues and spaces around the city in their eclectic series of “bespoke” concerts which make up the unique Zakifo experience.
The event is a part of the Igoda Music Festival circuit which partners with other festivals in the region including Azgo Festival in Mozambique, Bassline Africa Day concert in Johannesburg, South Africa and Bushfire Festival in Swaziland. As well as being the sister event to the highly sought-after Sakifo Festival in Reunion Island. This year they are occupying some of Durban’s stalwart underground spaces as well as they city’s most obvious outdoor concert venues in an event which is sure to capture the hearts and minds of both the underground “scene kid” as well as the more mainstream music listeners. All due to a line up with both nuanced integrity and mass market appeal. Below is everything you need to know about the events and venues, which kick off this Friday at the infamously beloved Winston Pub.
Buy your tickets now:
https://www.zakifo.com/#tickets
Friday 24 May:
The Winston Pub (parking lot stage) and Origin’s Engine Room team up for a night of fantastic live and electronic music. With fabulous brass techno marching band, Meute (Germany); alternative Indie Puts Marie (Switzerland); Dobet Gnahoré (Côte d’Ivoire / France) and her urban / alternative French / Tunisian band; psychedelic garage rock band – Make-Overs (SA) ; guitarist, songwriter, performing artist and singer, Sands Eswatini, (Swaziland); and six-piece Dub Reggae fusion band Granmah (Mozambique).
Saturday 25 May:
The Werehouse has a line-up of amazing contemporary African female performers and urban songstresses: Sho Madjozi (ZA); Eme (Nigeria); Moonchild (ZA); Dope Saint Jude (ZA) and Skye Wanda.
Sunday 26 May:
The Rainbow Restaurant: Zakifo Music Festival, in conjunction with Concerts SA, brings the island sounds in a small intimate performance by Lindigo (Reunion) a band committed to champion Reunion Island’s vibrant musical symbol of Creole culture – Maloya; and South Africa’s Ilima band (presented by Concerts SA) together for your listening pleasure.
Friday 31 May
Ascend Rooftop uMhlanga in the company of Mr Eazi (Nigeria) pioneer of Banku music which fuses Ghanaian nightlife with Nigerian chords and Afrobeat; Blinky Bill (Kenya) hip-hop / rap artist and DJ; Kid Fonque – SA electronic music and club culture taste-maker; Bheki Nqoko – singer, songwriter, arranger and producer; Tune Recreation Committee – SAMA Nominated contemporary jazz quintet; Buhlebendalo – accapella group, the Soil’s, lead vocalist doing a solo set.; Alibombo Percussion (Colombia) who perform experimental percussion on home-made, recycled instruments and commute to hometown gigs in a three-wheel auto rickshaw.
Saturday 01 June:
Durban Botanic Gardens in a concert named: What you Need, a variation of “Sakifo which means ‘what is needed’ in Creole” with international artists Grammy-Award winning, multi-platinum-selling artist Ben Harper (USA); iconic Nigerian singer/songwriter Aṣa who will stop by Zakifo Festival on her Southern African tour, Aṣa rose to prominence with the release of her hit song ‘Jailer’ in 2007; Lindigo (Reunion); Maia & The Big Sky (Kenya) who blend soulful funk influences with Kenyan rhythms along with the sensational Durban talent of Red Robyn (ZA).
Aweh Online 