An exciting line-up of local musicians is set to set to make the 2017 Stanbic Music Festival a spectacle to remember when they join the iconic Boyz II Men at the country’s largest music show on September 22-23.
Now in its fourth year, the Music Festival has stuck to its tradition of building a platform that blends the best of local talent with international musicians of note, enabling artistes and fans to share performances and experiences.
The local artistes were introduced today at a media briefing. They include Afro soul singer Wezi, traditional folk singer Mumba Yachi, Hip-hop sensation Chef 187 and Gospel sensation Abel Chungu Musuka.
Others are contemporary Zambian RnB singer K’millian, singer and guitarist James Sakala, as well as electric violinist Caitlin DeVille.
Local fans and loyal followers of the Stanbic Music Festival played a key part in the selection of the exciting group of performers, by recommending the artistes they wanted to see at this year’s show through Stanbic’s social media platforms.
About 10,000 people, including some from as far as Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, are expected to attend the show on both days, according to Stanbic Head of Marketing Perry Siame.
“We expect a huge turnout at this event, so we encourage fans who are yet to buy tickets to do so as soon as possible because we are unlikely to increase the tickets beyong 10,000,” Siame said.
Stanbic Public Relations and Communications Manager Chanda Chime-Katongo said the music festival was a good platform for local musicians to take to the stage and learn the tricks of the trade from Boyz II Men, and that it was also an opportunity to enable Boyz II Men to sample Zambia’s music and culture.
“The Stanbic Music Festival is a unique platform to ensure that our local music talents perform side by side with renowned international artistes and learn a lot from each other — from arranging a concert to executing it on stage. It is one way local musicians can grow their influence beyond our borders,” said Ms Katongo.
“This festival showcases local talent. If you don’t give them a platform to play on, few people will know who they are and what they are capable of. You can rest assured this line-up will make it a festival to remember,” she added.
National Arts Council of Zambia (NACZ) Assistant Director for Performing and Literary Arts, Mwiche Chikungu, commended Stanbic Bank for the consistency in holding successful music festivals over the past four years, which has contributed to the growth of the music industry in Zambia.
“As national Arts Council, we’d like to thank Stanbic Bank for elevating the music industry in Zambia because every year they improve the quality of the actual event and we are having high quality events, giving our local artists a chance to network with foreign artistes who have a lot of experience,” she said.
“When others who are aspiring artistes see the local artistes who are participating, it inspires them to also take up this career. As you probably know we are now an economic ministry; we used to be a social ministry and arts are part of the creative and cultural industry. People are actually employed in the arts. We also have companies that benefit when the Stanbic Bank event happens.”
And echoing sentiments of his fellow local musicians on the line-up, artiste Abel Chungu Musuka, said being selected to participate in the 2017 music festival was not only exciting, but also challenging local musicians to do better.
“It’s exciting to be part of this line up for the event. It’s a bit more challenging and nerve wracking because you know what’s demanded of you on this kind of stage. As local artistes, we are thinking of perfection and doing better because we make this festival what it is. People travel and attend these festivals because of the standards that were left behind by earlier performers. So, we have to put in a lot of work,” he said.
The event will be held at Lusaka Polo Club on September 22-23, 2017. Tickets are available from Computicket and selected Stanbic branches for K1,500 VIP and K500 standard.
