5 Music Festivals to Attend Across Africa in May

April 25, 2016

Africa is definitely the place to be for the month of May. From Morocco to South Africa and Mozambique to Swaziland, there are major music festivals happening next month. Stay up-to-date with more events celebrating Africa's diverse cultures in Africa and the Diaspora on the MAPP Africa app. In the meantime, check out these upcoming May music festivals:

Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira, Morocco

 

About: The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival is born from the will of a team passionate about music convinced that culture is an inalienable human right, that dialogue is the path that will lead the world to wisdom, and that the preservation of heritage in all forms is the bedrock of identity, the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival marks on that basis anoutstanding turning point in the country’s history.

Dates: May 12 - 15, 2016

Artists: See the line-up

AZGO Festival in Maputo, Mozambique

 

About: Azgo Festival is a contemporary celebration of arts and culture, with a strong focus on artists from Mozambique and from around the continent of Africa. The festival serves as a platform for emerging and acclaimed artists to collaborate and meet a new audience. Since inception in 2011, we have hosted artists from Cape Verde, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Reunion Island, Madagascar, Angola, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Dates: May 20 - 21, 2016

Artists (more to be announced)

• Mozambique: Mr Bow, Gran'mah, Neyma
• International: Eatére (New Zealand), Cold Specks (Canada/Somalia), HMB (Portugal), Kingfisha (Australia), Maya Kamaty (Reunion Island), Zahara (South Africa)

MTN Bushfire festival in Malkerns Valley, Swaziland

About: Bushfire is Swaziland's acclaimed international music and arts festival held each year at House on Fire, an inspired and magical venue combining sculpture, mosaic and theatre built in the heart of the Ezulwini valley. Each year a diverse audience of up to 20,000 people come together over three days to celebrate cultural meeting points, fuelling a feast of magical performances from Africa and beyond.

Dates: May 27 - 29, 2016

Artist schedule:

Zakifo Muzik Festival in Durban, South Africa

About: ZAKIFO Musik Festival is an eclectic live music event, connecting Africa with the Indian Ocean Islands, Europe, India, Australia and beyond. ZAKIFO Muzik Festival Durban boasts an innovative urban festival concept and a world class line-up supported by the best international and local artists.

Dates: May 27 - 28, 2016

The Line-up:

 

Africa Day Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa

About: Africa Day marks the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union) back in May 1963. Today, Africa Day serves as a day to celebrate our heritage, despite our differences, and showcase the continents history and culture through arts. Africa’s biggest celebration of cultural heritage returns with a star-studded celebration that will see some of the continents biggest acts take to the stage to celebrate diversity through unity.

Dates: May 28, 2016

Artists: The line-up

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