By Chifundo Zingunde

As the clock is slowly ticking towards 2018 Lake of Stars gala, the list of spectacular artists, nationally and internationally, to rock the stage is now complete.

The house is now full with Kenyan afro-pop band, Sauti Sol and international electronic superstars Major Lazer Sound system leading the pack of other equally esteem artists that will mesmerize fans from 28^th to 30^th September at Kabumba Hotel resort in Salima.

Locally, enterprising Faith Mussa, energetic Fredokiss, and Suffix are some of the other crowd pullers that are geared to make history in this year’s event.

Minus music, the gala will also be spiced by revered poets nationally and internationally. UK poets Hollie McNish, and Michael Pedersen will be joining a communal of homegrown wordsmiths curated by Cerebrated poet, Q Malewezi in showcasing their oratory skills.

That is not all. Cultural performances are also going to be part and parcel of the 15^th anniversary of LoS event. Performances from Jacaranda Cultural Troupe, Amahoro Drummers, Tilinanu Choir, Nanzikambe Arts, Caesar Goes Africa and the Gwirize Gule Wamkulu will add to the festivities memoirs.

You think you have had enough? Hold on! Yoga displays, Capoeira, live art installations and a fashion showcase will also be on offer for festival-goers to enjoy.

And for the first time ever, the swimming pool at Kabumba Hotel has been drained and transformed into a roller skate rink, to be hosted by Skate Malawi.

Commenting on the same, Lake of Stars Director Will Jameson is overwhelmed with the event saying that the lineup of artist looks set to spice the event.

“I’m very proud of the programme for this year’s festival.  Our ground-breaking international line up is matched by an equally exciting showing of local artists, some of whom will be making their debut at Lake of Stars.” Cherished he.

Reacting to the line up, Mzuzu based entertainment enthusiast and Chief Executive Officer for  Swag Entertainment, Francis Mkandawire applauded the organizers for the inclusivity in the lineup of the artists.

“It’s something great having artists from all the three regions of the country. This is what a national event like LoS is supposed to showcase,” he said.

Meanwhile, tickets are still being sold from various outlets countrywide. And mobile phone service provider, TNM is currently offering customers a K5,000  discount when purchased through Mpamba.

HIVOS, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, TNM, the American Embassy, Raising Malawi, Clover, Castel, FDH Bank, the German Embassy, Creative Scotland and the British Council are some of the partners that are making sure that this year’s event is successful.

• Here’s the Full line up:

Abantu Dance Group / Amahoro Drummers / Annemarie Quinn / Banou Azania / Beating Heart / Be Charlotte / Berita  / Caesar Goes Africa / Clique Viral / Daughters Band / Dawson / DJ Miss Ray / DJ Naida (The Female DJ Movement) / DJ Bubblegum / DJ Reubie / Drew Moyo / Faith Mussa/ Fikisa / Forus Crew / Fyah DJ / Fredokiss / Gemma Cairney / Gemma Griffiths / George Kalukusha / Gwirize Gule Wamkulu / Hollie McNish / ItsFriday / Jacaranda Cultural Troupe / Kal El / KBG / Kim of Diamonds / Kobi Onyame / Lady Pace / Lazarus / Love Ssega / Lusubilo Band/ Madalitso Band / Makatumbe / Major Lazer Soundsystem / M.A.P / Michael Pedersen / Nanzikambe Arts / No Requests DJs / Overton Longwe / Positive Yut / Q Malewezi’s Poetry Corner / Queen Fyah & the African Goddesses / Roxton met Herki / RJ the DJ / Saint & Macelba / Sauti Sol / Skate Malawi / Slickartie / Soca Twins / Stasis Prey / Ste Chesters / Suffix / theJezreel / Tilinanu Choir / Trizah Titus / Two By Four / VJ Ice / Zathu Band