Start of the show: 08 p.m.
FATOUMATA DIAWARA
WOMAN POWER FROM MALI
Start of the show: 10 p.m.
MANU DIBANGO
THE GREAT MUSICAL ICON FROM CAMEROON
Ever since Emmanuel N´Djoké Dibango, born in Douala on 12 December 1933, rather randomly conquered the charts in the USA with the song “Soul Makossa“, the B side of his single, everyone has been talking about him. With his great talent as a saxophone player and pianist, he manages to add his personal African touch to any style, whether it is funk, bebop, jazz, hip-hop or reggae. His albums “Gone Clear“ (1980), “Electric Africa“ (1985), “Afrijazzy“ (1986) and “Wakafrika“(1994) are milestones of the African music scene. His duets with Lucky Dube (1998) and Klaus Doldinger (2008) were unforgettable highlights of the Africa Festival. Thus he feels honoured to once again take over the patronage at the 30th anniversary of the festival.
© Louis Vincent
◊ FRIDAY, 01 June 2018 ◊
Start of the show: 08 p.m.
LOKUA KANZA
THE FINE VOICE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Lokua Kanza has been accompanying the Africa Festival like no other African artist. Ever since his first performance in 1998 at the 7th Africa Festival, he has been enthusing the audience with his performances again and again with timeless and terrific musical quality. Having an anniversary without him would be unthinkable. In 1991 he took his first big steps in the “Soul Makossa Band“ of Manu Dibango and the “Bwana Zolou Gang” of Ray Lema. They inevitably lead him to a successful solo career. As a songwriter he even wrote some tailor-made songs for the amazing Miriam Makeba (CD “Homeland“ / 2000). Therefore he will remember the great Mama Africa during this concert evening in the main tent, too. In 2006 he was given the Africa Festival Award for his musical talent.
© Christophe Campana
Start of the show: 10 p.m.
ANGELIQUE KIDJO
THE AMAZON FROM BENIN
◊ SATURDAY, 02 June 2018 ◊
Start of the show: 08 p.m.
HABIB KOITÉ & BAMADA
THE GUITAR KING FROM BAMAKO
His hit “No More Cigarette Abana“ will not be the only song which Habib Koité will sing together with the festival audience when he’ll step on the stage of the main circus tent for the 7th time since his first performance at the 8th Africa Festival. Despite his growing success, the exceptional guitar player and singer from Mali has remained the same sociable and nice person. Today he spends his time jamming with blues man Eric Bibb (“Brothers In Bamako“ / 2012), gathers the musicians of his house band to occasionally perform at his own hotel “Maya´s Place“ in Bamako or set out with them to a big world tour. Thus, the 30th anniversary of the festival in Würzburg is a must for him and us. He ranked 3rd in the voting of the audience!
© Maciej Kaczynski
Start of the show: 10 p.m.
HOT WATER
SOUTH AFRICAN FOLK ROCK
It’s impossible to listen to Hot Water. To just listen. Because when Donovan Copley, the band’s founder, frontman, and creative heart, starts singing, playing (often his iconic African guitar), jiving and jumping around on stage, backed up by a mix of stellar South African musicians who are as diverse as the country itself, you can’t sit still…! The music – Copley calls it ‘South African Folk-Rock’ – mixes the sounds of traditional mbaqanga, kwela and maskanda with a more contemporary folk rock vibe, which is utterly danceable. Everything is interwoven by Copley’s raw, sweet voice and inspiring, almost dreamlike lyrics…“Easily one of the most exciting musical projects to come out of SA“ (The Citizen).
© Hylton Boucher
◊ SUNDAY, 03 June, 2018 ◊
Start of the show: 08 p.m.
SONA JOBARTEH
MAGIC KORA SOUNDS FROM THE GAMBIA
Start of the show: 10 p.m.
ALPHA BLONDY
GREAT REGGAE VIBES FROM THE IVORY COAST
© Youri Lenquette
Start of the show: 01 p.m.
SIDIKI DIABATÉ
THE NEW STAR OF AFRICAN URBAN MUSIC SCENE
The Malian singer Sidiki Diabaté, is an outstanding beat maker and Hip-Hop producer and also known as the Prince of Kora. He is considered as the new star of African urban music scene. With his songs featuring Booba, Niska or Fataby, Sidiki has manages to make a name himself on the African scene. His song „C'est bon“ feat. Iba One et Niska“ on YouTube has already 7.155.360 views. He performed on the world’s most prestigious stages alongside his father, the famous Master of Kora, Toumani Diabaté. He will have his debut concert in Germany at the International Africa Festival in Würzburg.
Showtime: 03 p.m.
DAARA J FAMILY
THE MOST FAMOUS HIP-HOP BAND FROM DAKAR
In 2001 the first Africa Festival award was given to the group Daara J for its musical talent and dynamic performances. After very famous solo projects the members of the group are now performing together again. Ever since their album “School of life“ Faada Freddy and N´Dongo D have been the heart of the Daara J Family. They label their music as socially committed “hip-hop born in Africa”. Their lyrics are in Wolof, French and English and in their music they combine the tradition of Senegalese griot with hip-hop, soul, funk and reggae.
◊ FRIDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2018 | OPEN STAGE ◊
Start of the show: 01 p.m.
DOBET GNAHORÉ
MAGIC URBAN AFRICAN SOUL FROM THE IVORY COAST
In 2001 she had the privilege to start off the 13th Africa Festival with French guitar player Colin Laroche, who would later become her husband, as an acoustic duo, which was back then still completely unknown. Ever since this first performance, her career as an expressive musician and artist has been skyrocketing. Thus, in 2009 she received the coveted Grammy award in the category “Best Urban & Alternative Performance“. In 2010 the audience of the festival could assure itself of her talent. By popular demand we are delighted to welcome her on the Open Stage again.
Showtime: 03 p.m.
ALSARAH & THE NUBATONES
FRESH WORLD MUSIC FROM SUDAN
In 2010 Alsarah founded the Nubatones in New York with her sister Nahid. Until then she had been leading a chequered life. She was born in Khartum in 1982 and had to flee via Yemen into the USA in 1989 with her whole family. In the USA she successfully graduated in ethnomusicology, in the meantime was training her voice in various world music choirs, and was a part of the “Nile Project”. Currently with the Nubatones she is successfully alternating between traditional rhythms, afrobeat, pop and soul. Her new and sensational album is called “Ya Watan”.
Start of the show: 05 p.m.
MARIAMA
THE SONGWRITER LADY AND VOICE FROM FREETOWN
Mariama Jalloh was born in Freetown/Sierra Leone. She grew up in the German town Bergisch Gladbach and today feels at home in Paris, as well as Cologne and the rest of the world. She took her first musical steps with Adé Bantu’s “Brothers Keepers” and his “Afrobeat Academy”. In 2012 the singer and songwriter released her debut album “Easy Way Out”. Since then her voice has been appreciated by West African stars like Moh!Kouyaté (“Darre“) or Faada Freddy (“I Need A Dollar“), too.
© Sebastian Zapp Alott Meye
◊ SATURDAY, JUNE 2ND, 2018 | OPEN STAGE ◊
Start of the show: 01 p.m.
ORQUESTA MERCADONEGRO
HOT SALSA FROM CUBA AND COLOMBIA
Orquesta Mercadonegro or “black market“, which is the translation of the band’s name, is one of the best salsa bands. Over the years, the band has become one of the most popular groups for Latin-American music. Founded by José Armando Miranda, Cesar Correa and Rodrigo Rodriguez, in the meantime, the trio has turned into a band with 11 members who have their roots in Cuba, Colombia and Peru. They carry salsa into the world with a lot of passion and infect any audience with their enthusiasm. No one can resist dancing and there will be no shirt left dry!
Start of the show: 03 p.m.
GANGBÉ BRASS BAND
BIG BAND SOUNDS FROM BENIN
“Gangbé“, a word from the ‘fon‘ language in Benin, can be roughly translated to “sound of metal”. The musicians of this band, which consists of 8 members who play the trumpet, trombone, tuba and various percussion instruments, have been enthusing the audience of the African world music scene with impressive live performances since the year of foundation in 1994. Traditional “juju” or “voudoun” rhythms are blending with modern jazz harmonies in big band arrangements and sometimes turn towards afro beat. It’s time to dance!
© Lauren Pasche
Start of the show: 05 p.m.
KLUB KARTELL PRESENTS DELLÉ; GANJAMAN; JAHCOUSTIX & SEBASTIAN STURM
GERMAN ROOTS REGGAE PARTY POWER DELUXE
Dellé, old hand of ‘Seeed’ with Ghanaian roots, Ganjaman, germanophone reggae artist from the very start, Jahcoustix the positive vibes man of the scene, and experienced roots reggae player Sebastian Sturm meet the excellent classic backing band ‘Klub Kartell’. Ever since the founding of the band in 2016 and various gigs with artists like Mykal Rose (Black Uhuru), these five guys have become more than just an insider’s tip in the German club reggae and dancehall scene. It’s time for an electrifying and unforgettable live reggae party!
© L. Bass Photography
◊ SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD, 2018 | OPEN STAGE ◊
Start of the show: 01 p.m.
ACE TEE
AFRO-GERMAN HIP-HOP & R&B WITH GHANAIAN ROOTS
The woman behind "Ace Tee" is Berlin-born hair stylist Tarin Wilda who is living in Hamburg. With her partner Kwam.E, who was also born in Ghana, she is rapping in German in true hip-hop fashion. In 2017 they actually managed to score a viral hit in the USA with the song „Bist Du Down“. Thanks to their fashionable appearance even Vogue magazine noticed them. With their four stage dancers and a DJ you are guaranteed to have a really good dance!
Start of the show: 03 p.m.
AMI
THE NATURAL YOUNG SONGWRITER LADY
Ever since her first performance at the 28th Africa Festival and her second CD “Seasons”, Ami, daughter of famous world music fusion musician Wally Warning, has evolved into a confident songwriter. With the Caribbean island Aruba in her blood, by this time she is not shying away from also singing in German, which can be heard in her well-made song „Untertauchen“. Let’s look forward to a lot of groove and soul from the young singer who is living in Munich.
Start of the show: 05 p.m.
PATRICE
GERMANY’S FINEST ROOTS REGGAE & SOUL ARTIST
In 2001 Patrice Babatunde Bart-Williams enthused the audience of the Africa Festival for the first time. Since his debut album “Ancient Spirit“ (2000) he has continually been evolving and his last album “Life’s Blood“ (2016) has become another timeless milestone in his career. The likeable songwriter feels equally at home in his hometown Cologne, as well as in New York, Paris or the home country of his late father: Sierra Leone. A special anniversary present for the loyal audience in front of the open stage!